Religious Holidays in Public Schools

blush · 07-23-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unndunn

I voted "I Don't Care" because none of the other options were close to what I think.

I think each school district should set their calendar based on the members of the community they are providing for. They have the data, and I don't think it would be that difficult to build the schedule around the needs of that particular community. If you know that 75% of your students are muslim, it would make sense to schedule that day off since all of those students would be missing the lessons taught on that day.

It was never an issue in my hometown because there was very little diversity. In my senior class in high school (class of '83) there were two jewish students out of 180 students. I know this because we were in the same home room and they would talk about when they would be out for high holidays, etc. I know that the school didn't count the days they took off for high holidays as absences. It wouldn't have been practical to have school on Christmas when about 99% of the student body would be home celebrating.

It's late and I'm way over tired so I shouldn't even be posting. I don't have any kids, but I do work with children, so school schedules do affect my work schedule.

I have to disagree. In a private school, polling a family's religious beliefs and catering to the majority is plausible. In the public school district I teach in, we do not know the religion of our students(unless the student or parent tells us.)

Furthermore, it is public education, not majority education. It is an easy answer to say, majority rules, but does that teach diversity or acceptance? A break schedule that removes ANY religious acknowledgement separates public schools from favoring one religion over another. Public schools should give students days off without penalty for religious observances.

Toughy · 07-24-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

We have a long history in public schools of separation of church and state.

I'm not so sure this is a true statement. I remember prayer in public schools.........and for some reason it's my 5th grade year that sticks in my mind......that would be 1961-62. Today we have the Christian creation story, now called Intelligent Design, being taught as science in public schools. It's no wonder folks think Fake (Fox) News is actually journalism and news.
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I say no religious holidays in public schools unless you recognize ALL religious holidays and you also need a holiday for atheists.

Take week long breaks in the school year. I don't know if this is still true today but when I was in public school in the 60's, we could have an excused absence (for I think up to a week) to go deer hunting.

I would like to see high school kids learn about the different religions around the world. But that would open up a big ole can of worms that would be impossible to deal with.

blush · 07-24-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toughy

I'm not so sure this is a true statement. I remember prayer in public schools.........and for some reason it's my 5th grade year that sticks in my mind......that would be 1961-62. Today we have the Christian creation story, now called Intelligent Design, being taught as science in public schools. It's no wonder folks think Fake (Fox) News is actually journalism and news.
------
I say no religious holidays in public schools unless you recognize ALL religious holidays and you also need a holiday for atheists.

Take week long breaks in the school year. I don't know if this is still true today but when I was in public school in the 60's, we could have an excused absence (for I think up to a week) to go deer hunting.

I would like to see high school kids learn about the different religions around the world. But that would open up a big ole can of worms that would be impossible to deal with.

You're right, Toughy. I'm speaking to the idea that our government entities are religiously neutral. This conflicts with our desire for freedom of worship. Prayer in schools and such is an example of this conflict.

Corkey · 07-24-2010, 02:11 PM

I'm going to speak from my *me* for a moment. When I was growing up there was no prayer in schools. The pledge of allegiance yes, and that silly phrase of one nation (under god)..., which I skipped over and reverted to the real pledge one nation indivisible.... Now then for me, my parents said I didn't have to follow in their religious backgrounds, they were both different. They said I could learn all of the different theological groups and decide for myself which was a fit for me.
So I did. Now, the school has no business being in the business of religion, it isn't up to the state to teach one religion over another, hense the separation of church and state in the Constitution. I think it is high time we as a society start following that particular clause.

Glenn · 07-24-2010, 05:42 PM

As founder and designer of the United Gospel Music Center, I included notes in my plans. not to teach classes in Religion, nor to celebrate religious holidays and ceremonies inside, statues, Bibles, etc. It will simply be alive with gospel music all day, along with concerts, and also a music school. There will be only pictures of musicians and composers on the walls.

Soft*Silver · 07-24-2010, 06:38 PM

I would love to see religion taught in the public school system, not as a form of worship, but as a science or humanities, or even as part of a class in science or humanities or something. Why? Because most kids dont grow up in homes that say "you can pick any religion you like". Instead, they rear their kids to believe their religion is the "IT" religion and dont educate them in alternatives. As a class, they could get introduced to east and west, native and aboriginal, agnostic and aethiest, xtian and jewish.

I dont know about you, but I was in Jr High before I found out not everyone was Catholic...

Julie · 07-24-2010, 06:51 PM

And I was 20 years old, before I realized that the crosses on the foreheads of people - did not mean they were Manson Followers!

True Story! I was working in a personnel agency at 20 in NYC. I walked out to get my applicant... What I saw terrified me. A room full of people with black crosses on their foreheads. I ran into my bosses office and told him, we had a room filled with Manson Followers. Now how is that for ignorance?!? My first experience with Ash Wednesday.

Point - I agree... My first year of college, I took a world religion course. I always felt it should be taught in primary school.

Quote:

Originally Posted by softness

I would love to see religion taught in the public school system, not as a form of worship, but as a science or humanities, or even as part of a class in science or humanities or something. Why? Because most kids dont grow up in homes that say "you can pick any religion you like". Instead, they rear their kids to believe their religion is the "IT" religion and dont educate them in alternatives. As a class, they could get introduced to east and west, native and aboriginal, agnostic and aethiest, xtian and jewish.

I dont know about you, but I was in Jr High before I found out not everyone was Catholic...

Stearns · 07-24-2010, 07:08 PM

Teachers barely have time to teach the basics. Many schools have already cut out art, music and even recess because there's not enough time in the school day/week. I'd hate to see them have to try to work religion in there, too; plus, I don't agree with public schools being charged with teaching spirituality. I'd like to see music, art and recess brought back, if there was time. I think those are intrinsically more valuable and do not tread into the territory of what values may or may not be in the home (like religion does).

View Poll Results: what do you think about adding holidays to school calendars?
I think we need to be more inclusive and add other religious holidays	39	41.49%
I think we need to pare it down, we have too many	11	11.70%
I think we need to take all religious holidays out of public school calendars	27	28.72%
I don't care	17	18.09%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

07-24-2010, 02:11 PM	#4
Corkey Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Human Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Very Married Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Where I want to be Posts: 8,155 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 47,491 Thanked 29,269 Times in 6,637 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I'm going to speak from my me for a moment. When I was growing up there was no prayer in schools. The pledge of allegiance yes, and that silly phrase of one nation (under god)..., which I skipped over and reverted to the real pledge one nation indivisible.... Now then for me, my parents said I didn't have to follow in their religious backgrounds, they were both different. They said I could learn all of the different theological groups and decide for myself which was a fit for me. So I did. Now, the school has no business being in the business of religion, it isn't up to the state to teach one religion over another, hense the separation of church and state in the Constitution. I think it is high time we as a society start following that particular clause. __________________ "Many proposals have been made to us to adopt your laws, your religion, your manners and your customs. We would be better pleased with beholding the good effects of these doctrines in your own practices, than with hearing you talk about them". ~Old Tassel, Chief of the Tsalagi (Cherokee)

07-24-2010, 06:38 PM	#6
SoftSilver Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: rose cottage Posts: 5,592 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,948 Thanked 15,907 Times in 4,062 Posts Rep Power*: 21474857	I would love to see religion taught in the public school system, not as a form of worship, but as a science or humanities, or even as part of a class in science or humanities or something. Why? Because most kids dont grow up in homes that say "you can pick any religion you like". Instead, they rear their kids to believe their religion is the "IT" religion and dont educate them in alternatives. As a class, they could get introduced to east and west, native and aboriginal, agnostic and aethiest, xtian and jewish. I dont know about you, but I was in Jr High before I found out not everyone was Catholic... __________________ Pole bachit, a lis chuye. The field sees, the forest hears

07-24-2010, 05:42 PM	#5
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Dear ol butch bones. Preferred Pronoun?: Old G Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,547 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,602 Thanked 3,729 Times in 1,095 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	As founder and designer of the United Gospel Music Center, I included notes in my plans. not to teach classes in Religion, nor to celebrate religious holidays and ceremonies inside, statues, Bibles, etc. It will simply be alive with gospel music all day, along with concerts, and also a music school. There will be only pictures of musicians and composers on the walls.

07-24-2010, 07:08 PM	#8
Stearns Member How Do You Identify?: Trans Man Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Husband Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 'nita land Posts: 272 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 385 Thanked 443 Times in 149 Posts Rep Power: 3640	Teachers barely have time to teach the basics. Many schools have already cut out art, music and even recess because there's not enough time in the school day/week. I'd hate to see them have to try to work religion in there, too; plus, I don't agree with public schools being charged with teaching spirituality. I'd like to see music, art and recess brought back, if there was time. I think those are intrinsically more valuable and do not tread into the territory of what values may or may not be in the home (like religion does).