Holiday decorations in public schools

I think all should be allowed to be displayed, to a point/within limits. I don't think that anything negative against another religion/view should be allowed. Also, I don't think anything that would violate school policies should be allowed to be displayed, such as curse words or purposely inciting words/images/displays. If the displays/decorations are done with the intent of just showing your own support for what you believe about the season in a positive manner, then it should be allowed. But if it can be shown that the display is done with the intent of mocking or deriding someone else's beliefs, then it shouldn't.

And, anyone who is offended should have to give a reasonable cause for why their being offended should be enough to remove the display/part of the display. For instance, a person who says that they are offended by Jesus should have to show reasonable cause for why they are being oppressed/harmed by the picture, not just that they don't agree with the message or with Christianity in general. I believe that the intent of the person who is being accused of being offensive is more important than the views of the person who finds it offensive.

Your Star said:

But his birthday was in summer, I think celebrating his birthday a possible 6 months after the actual date is a little disrespectful to our Lord, and Savior :2razz:

Seriously though, all joking aside, my point was that people make too big of a deal about this, and that, and people really should just enjoy the season. Because this time, in our culture, the Christmas holiday, has evolved into something far bigger than the religious holiday.

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And, of course you were where when he was born to attest to it, weren't you?

MissLToe said:

I agree with you. I don't get the people (not necessarily on this board) that think Santa and Christmas trees are religious. I have talked to teachers and parents who are completely against anything that has to do with Christmas (like Santa, Rudolph, etc.) because they see it as displaying something religious. I guess there are schools out there that don't allow anything Christmasy at all in classrooms. That's so odd to me.

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Actually, Santa WAS based on a real Catholic Saint by the name of Nicholas... hence, the references to Santa as St. Nick...

just saying...

upsideguy said:

Correct. Christmas is a combination secular and religious holiday. Actually the Catholic Church hijacked a series of european holidays celebrating the winter solstice and decided that was the day we should celebrate the birth of Christ (and they did a similar thing in creating Easter). The fact is that his actual birth date is not known. Then American materialism (an anti-christ) further hijacked the date and turned it into 40% of US retail sales. Pagans and retail corporate king-pins have an equal to greater claim that we should get the Christ out of Christmas as others do advocating the opposite. But to call Christmas a high holy day is almost laughable now.

This really should not be a problem to real Christians either, as the idea that Christians should carve out one particular day to celebrate God's gift to mortal man is also absurd. Real Christians celebrate the birth, the death and the resurrection on a daily basis.

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1. It is true that the actual date of birth is not known.
2. However, that does not follow that simply because pagan holidays were around the same time (there are, after all, pagan holidays year round) that the choosing of the date of Christmas was done to convert northern European pagans...

So, we have two Ebenezer Scrooges here.
All people on this planet celebrate and decorate, we are no different, at least most of us. Those who object should move to another country, but they will never be happy no matter where they are..Maybe a ghost will visit them..
Nativity scenes should be allowed anyplace, everyplace - those who object should be taught how to use their legs and neck muscles.
Remember public property is our property.
Merry Christmas!

ludahai said:

Actually, Santa WAS based on a real Catholic Saint by the name of Nicholas... hence, the references to Santa as St. Nick...

just saying...

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Yes, that's true, but I bet most of America doesn't see Santa as a religious symbol.

MissLToe said:

Yes, that's true, but I bet most of America doesn't see Santa as a religious symbol.

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Santa himself is NOT a religious symbol, but the story and legend IS based on a real person.

Christmas these days has functionally little to nothing to do with Christianity. It is little more than a secular holiday of togetherness and commercialism.

Was Christ born in December? No.
Do the most of the traditions stem from Christianity? No.
Did Christ exchange gifts? No.

It amuses me to watch the socially conservative cultural warriors defend Pagan traditions and symbols.

It would be interesting if the poll showed results by age group. Looking back at what schools use to be able to do for Christmas back when my grandparents or parents were in school, or even when I was in school, it amazes me the changes that have taken place. I for one have no problem with schools displaying Christmas decorations or any other religion.

obvious Child said:

Christmas these days has functionally little to nothing to do with Christianity. It is little more than a secular holiday of togetherness and commercialism.

Was Christ born in December? No.
Do the most of the traditions stem from Christianity? No.
Did Christ exchange gifts? No.

It amuses me to watch the socially conservative cultural warriors defend Pagan traditions and symbols.

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And the swastika is still solely a Buddhist good luck symbol. The important bit isn't where the symbols come from, but the meaning given to them. And the gift giving is from Saint Nicholas, so it's a Christian tradition.