Nativity Scenes In Schools

I found this to be a pretty interesting article. What do you guys think?



Mom Sues School

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I think this is the kind of thing that causes the schools to remove all traces of religious and cultural celebrations and forces them to be less inclusive, not more inclusive.

I am Catholic, and I am fine with a Christmas tree being representative of my faith's tradition in a school. I think this lawsuit is a bit over the top and as a taxpayer, it annoys me that my tax money will go to fight this in court.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

whats going on this year? it seems like we have way too many cases like that!!! I think people are forgetting what the holiday season is all about...

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

It is an interesting article.

I don't think the lawsuit is right. I just don't think a nativity scene belongs in a public school. I was trying to figure out why- and I guess I see the three items the school had- a Christmas Tree, Menorah, and Crescent of Islam as symbols of the 3 religions. I think that a nativity scene is more than a symbol. Its just so deeply religious to me.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I think all these lawsuits is a JOKE

I think that it is perfectly fine to have a nativity scene...
Just as long as all the other religious holidays of different faiths are represented...

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

whats going on this year? it seems like we have way too many cases like that!!! I think people are forgetting what the holiday season is all about...
the world is changing and most likely ending very soon- when religion and "god" start being attacked, I think its only a matter of time that another noahs ark is arising. I hate to think this way but I think its inevitable


D@mn J.....

I think the whole pushing religion away from public scenes is a bit silly, not pin pointing this one.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I think sometimes people take everything personl. Here is another article that may be somewhat related....



A Christmas charity drive by some elementary school kiddies in Bellevue, Wash., has been axed after some parents complained that the "Giving Tree" with colored mittens all over it was a symbol of Christianity that has no place in public schools, according to KOMO-TV.

Message edited 12/15/2005 10:21:21 AM.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I just dont get it you know, what if they put the nativity in school, what happens? noone is forcing anyone to go and pray in front of it... how is it hurting or offending anyone?

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I don't think any religious symbols belong in public schools at all. The school I work in has such a diverse student body and I think it's very important to me that my school does not to anything that promotes divisiveness.

I have many students from a range of faiths who are very serious about their beliefs and I want to make sure to always respect that. If it means I have to say "Holiday Party" instead of "Christmas Party" then I have no issue with that. All my kids understand that the purpose is to celebrate our different cultures and try to be a little kinder to each other at this time of year. (Why it can't be the focus year round is a topic for another post.)


ETA: I don't think these lawsuits are necessarily in the name of bashing religion (though all faiths experience bashing) but at the same time, inclusiveness is important.

Message edited 12/15/2005 10:25:37 AM.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

IMO i think school should have all different types of religious symbols up during their holidays.

School is where you learn and acclimate to these kind of things

I think keeping people away from it only increases ignorance

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I have a few things to say/questions to ask.

First a question, what are the RELIGIOUS meanings behind the Crescent of Islam, the Star of David and the Menorah (well, the Menorah I am familiar with---and I would venture to pressume that it too is a RELIGIOUS symbol, no?) ??

Next regardless of how close I feel to my own religion, I don't think religious articles ---even ones that reflect my own faith should be displayed in public schools. There are plenty of opportunities for parents to send thier kids to religious education classes outside of their public school if that is what they want for them.
No need to get religion mixed up in a place where it doesn't belong. (Note: This does not mean that I agree with people who think that "UNDER GOD" should be taken out of the daily pledge or anything like that!)

And last---to the person who said she feels the end of the world is near I say: fear not! Religious wars have been waged since the beginning of time and they will always be there---long after we've all left this earth!

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Who decides what symbol is too religious for display? Some people are offended by a nativity scene, and some are offended by a Christmas tree.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

I feel like the country as a whole is pushing all religion away. A school a tree in a school, you have to take it down(too Christian). I think we've become so self absorbed that we're forgetting about everyone else. I don't think any religious beliefs should be pushed on anyone but I feel we should embrace the differences and let them be and acknowledge it.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

the thing is... if you are going teach relgion in public schools, how do you teach all of them- aside from Judaism and Christianity, there in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, SHintoism, etc... How to reconcile all these religions into a public school- in a country where we are based on the separation between church adn state? It is a very fine line.

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools

Re: Nativity Scenes In Schools