Warns schools not to break law
By Staff and Wire Reports
The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee is warning Maury County Director of Schools Eddie Hickman and 136 other public school superintendents across the state to refrain from winter celebrations focusing primarily on one religious holiday.
The group sent a letter to Hickman citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions that support the opinion that such celebrations amount to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
In a news release, Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee, said the letter was sent in response to numerous complaints from families.
The letter states that the ACLU welcomes “holidays that teach children about a variety of holidays. We believe, however, that holiday celebrations that focus primarily on one religious holiday can result in indoctrination as well as a sense within students who do not share that religion of being outsiders to the school.”
Story created Dec 09, 2010
Maury County Daily Herald
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Tags: Bill of Rights, Christmas, Constitution, Holiday, Media, News Item
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As a teacher in Tennessee, I say “Merry Christmas” all the time. Students who do not celebrate Christmas have the right and the freedom to exercise their religious beliefs and participate in their holidays. No one stops them. As a matter of fact, those of us who are Christian tend to be intrigued, and dialogue is often opened to discuss differences and similarities. Dialogue, education, and understanding are the ways to enhance tolerance- not ignoring the existence of the dominant religious celebration of our culture. However, the fact remains that by and large our country is still a Christian nation, especially in our community. My students already know and expect me to say “Merry Christmas” because I see them at church.
That being said, my response to the ACLU is “Bring It.” There are more of us than it is you, and we WILL stick together! We will say, “Merry Christmas” because we can. In case you did not know, schools have implemented a bully-free zone, and we will not be bullied-not even by the ACLU.
We, too, have rights, and we know what they are.
I hope you have a very blessed holiday season. But mostly, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Jana
Well said. I can honestly say that I am not offended by Merry Christmas. I do have a problem with the holiday, but that does not mean that I intend to hamper any person who wishes to celebrate it. In schools, in the malls, in Church, in the streets or where ever. When presented with those words, I know the person is not meaning to offend me because they do not know my beliefs. And I respond in kind. Merry Christmas, Jana, and may God bless.
The actual letter is posted at this link. There are no threats. It asks for inclusiveness, not banishment.
http://www.tinyurl.com/inclusiveletter
http://www.aclu-tn.org/pdfs/Superintendent_letter_holidays.pdf
@Jana, I feel sorry for your school kids, not because your a Christian, but because your lack of research and inherent aggressiveness means that a letter merely reminding schools to be tolerant provokes you to say “bring it”. What were you yelling when you were asked to allow black kids in your class or other instances when tolerance was required?
Christmas is a uniquely Christian holiday. Why did the ACLU not send a letter out during Ramadan? Why should Christian students be barred from reading Luke 1&2 during this season. And, btw, everyone would be welcome to listen. There is nothing wrong with a school promoting Chanukah (Hanukkah) or Kwnanzaa during the appropriate season. There is nothing wrong with schools promoting Muslim holidays during the appropriate season. The thing that the ACLU objects to is the “reason for this season.” That is the birth of Christ.