Category: Let's talk
The following story makes me cringe. Christmas is a Christian holiday. Soon you won't even be able to wish someone a merry Christmas anymore! Let's get over ourselves in this fucked-up society and let all holidays and religions stand, not just every one except Christianity.
Swedish teacher bans Santa
A Swedish head teacher has decided to take Santa Claus out
of Christmas this year, at least for in-school festivities.
"Father Christmas is, after all, based on the Christian
St. Nicholas," Peter Norlin told Blekinge Lans Tidning.
Norlin said all schools in the Brakne-Hoby area in
southern Sweden should also avoid overtly Christian
services. He plans to preside over his school's celebration
instead of bringing in a Christian minister and to ban any
songs featuring Santa Claus. He cites National Agency for
Education guidelines on avoiding favoring any religion in
school and making sure children of other faiths are not
made uncomfortable. But the agency does not go as far as
he does. "As long as the celebrations focus on the
ceremonial aspects, traditions and togetherness, it is
up to individual schools to decide what songs they want
to sing," said Maria Lilja, a lawyer for the agency.
Well, I do agree that they should avoid the really Christian stuff and bringing in a minister, unless they do something similar for other faiths. But banning Santa Claws? Come on! Even as a pagan I find that wrong! How can anyone ban Santa? Besides, he's become so secular that you could technically discuss him without needing to go into St. Nick, though a little history couldn't hurt, so long as it's properly placed.
Yeah, I wouldn't favour having church services in a school, simply because not everyone may be of the same faith, but Santa, or mentioning Christmas. Like I am not Jewish but, for me, hearing some of the Hannukkah (sp?) songs this week on XM has been enlightening, as opposed to offensive.
Yet another example of political correctness making a major over-correction. Oh well, Christmas will still come no matter what anybody does.
And the best thing is Christmas has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity. Not really. I've explained my thoughts on that on another board though. Does sem pathetic to ban stuff like that just because it is perceived to be favouring one religion.
I also think that if you bring in a Christian or another religious minister, people won't tolerate it--I know I wouldn't. People have many different beliefs as to what Christmas is really about and how they celebrate it and such. Seriously, why would Christians want to ban Santa Clause? JesusChrist. I thought this whole world was supposed to be called "land of the free"--but I know it isn't. Land of the free my ass. Christians and other religious people need to get their heads out of their asses and see reality for once--no one can change the true meaning of Christmas, no one--not even the best Christians in the world!!! All I have to say is that this article really, really pisses me off!!!!
Agreed and well said. I too am pagan, but that doesn't stop me from wishing everyone a merry xmas. *shaking head* let's instead simply bann political correctness, it's stupid and a waist of time.
AMEN!!!!!
Just a note about how political correctness has invaded even christian organizations. Back in 2002, I started workig for the salvation army as a bell ringer for the christmas season. I was told that we weren't alowed to say merry Christmas, we were to say happy holidays. Well, I did it for three years, and then stoped for a few. I just started again, and my captain told us in one of the meetings, that we are supposed to say merry christmas now. He said the one of the of the higher up officers posted in dc kept getting calls from people complaining that the bell ringers were not saying merry christmas. So, finally, people are saying stuff it to political correctness and doing what's in their hearts. And I'm happy to once again be allowed to say merry christmas to people, knowing that, for me, it's a christmas wishes are not religious, but a feeling of well being for everyone.
Personally, I say happy holidays, but that's just because I prefer it, unless I know the person is definitely of one religion or another. But I certainly don't believe that this should be forced on anyone. I also dispise political correctness, and whoever tries to make me follow it can kiss my Greek ass... unless I'm in Greece, in which case I might need to shut up a little. *smile*
Yeah really, if you're in Greece, that might be a good idea. LOL.