Posted on 12/08/2004 1:26:20 AM PST by kattracks
MAPLEWOOD, N.J., Dec. 7, 2004 — Members of the Columbia High School brass ensemble were not allowed to play Christmas carols at their holiday concert this year — not even instrumental versions.At a school board meeting Monday night, parents and students alike expressed their outrage. "This is censorship at its most basic level and political correctness to its extreme," said student Ryan Dahn.
"When you close that door you are supporting ignorance, and I think it's a very sad thing," said parent Melanie Amsterdam.
The controversy is by no means an isolated case. The role of religion during the Christmas season is a source of annual angst. But this year, people in "red," or Republican, America — particularly Christian conservatives — are in an unprecedented uproar.
They are sending letters to public schools in Chicago, where the words "Merry Christmas" have been excised from a popular song; boycotting Macy's, which has removed "Merry Christmas" signs from its department stores; and protesting the exclusion of a church group from Denver's annual Parade of Lights.
"What they don't understand is that by not wanting to offend anyone, they're excluding a huge group of people, and that is all of those of the Christian faith," said Doug Newcomb, business administrator of the Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, Colo.
Lawyers Ready to Sue
Attorney Demetrios Stratis, affiliated with the conservative civil liberties group Alliance Defense Fund, is one of 700 Christian lawyers across the country poised to pounce on such cases.
"We just don't believe that you need to stamp out religion in the public square," he said.
There are those in Maplewood — and in "blue," or Democratic, America generally — who say religion should be a private matter.
"Holiday celebrations where Christian music is being sung make people feel different," said Mark Brownstein, a Maplewood parent. "And because it is such a majority, it makes the minority feel uncomfortable."
But Eric Chabrow, who is Jewish, says his son, Sam, should be able to play Christmas songs in the high school band. Chabrow is a part of "blue" America and generally supports the separation of church and state. "I think that people have become a little too dogmatic in their beliefs on either side," he said. "And I think in this world today, we need to look at that center. I mean, the center in this country is vanishing. And maybe that's what's happening here."
He says there must be solutions that are neither "red" nor "blue" — just common sense.
To the ACLU, Christians are the enemy and there is no room for compromise - or common sense.
IF I SEE THE PHRASE "SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE" ONE MORE TIME!!!!!
This phrase does not appear ANYWHERE in the founding documents of this nation.
(It does appear in the constitution of the old Soviet Union, however.)
Thank the Lord that Karen and I moved to NC. Lots of Bible Thumpers here, however the Presbyterian Church has core roots in Christianity and folks are dressed in respect to the Lord. There are no jeans, etc. Men dress in suits and the women in dresses. After the Service, we have a gathering with coffee, cakes, pies, cookies, juices... and fun times with the children.
What a bunch of sillyness
It's a holiday concert sing holiday songs be they "Christian" or "Jewish" or who/whatever.
This whole seperation of church and state as I see it mean I don't want my tax dollars spent on christmas decorations but if some civic/religious group wants to put up a Christmas display on public property that is fine.
If some other recognized religious group wants to put up a display too then that is fine also.
Look at this from bright side. The worm is turning. The good guys are starting to fight back. For years previous to this, people would have simply shrugged and rolled over and these incidents would never have even made the papers. The more people know about challenging the domestic "axis of evil" the more they will take it up in their own neighborhoods.
Intersting that the MSM is giving this sort of thing full coverage.
Amen to that. I'm in full agreement. Obviously the morons who use that line have never read the Constitution and therefore are not qualified to make an intelligent argument for or against it.
"Holiday celebrations where Christian music is being sung make people feel different," said Mark Brownstein, a Maplewood parent. "And because it is such a majority, it makes the minority feel uncomfortable."
I pray it does.
"Lawyers Ready to Sue
Attorney Demetrios Stratis, affiliated with the conservative civil liberties group Alliance Defense Fund, is one of 700 Christian lawyers across the country poised to pounce on such cases. "
If that's what it takes to stop this nonsense than lets roll!
This was never an issue until a few years ago.
Christianity under attack.
WorldNetDaily.com: "'NO CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS AT CHRISTMAS' Red Cross stores bar religious decor fearing it might be offensive" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Fearing they might offend someone, Red Cross stores in Britain have taken the Christian out of Christmas this year, banning any display of overtly religious decorations.") (November 18, 2003)
Move to Cuba or North Korea you f'in loser. The minority of godless atheists that are made to feel "uncomfortable" by Christmas music should not be accommodated in the least.
And when you think about it, this would be a bloodless way to fight such persecution. Eminently prefereble from a Christian perspective.
This holiday CHRISTmas and Easter are both religious holidays and celebrate Jesus Christ His birth and the death and resurrection. Nothing the secularists say or do can change that. We must once again fight for our rights to practice and voice our freedom to speak and celebrate our faith. Christmas is all about Jesus not Santa Claus.
As long as we have liberal activist judges, this country is going to hell in a hand basket. It seems to be getting far worse lately.
I went to my son's "Holiday concert" at his school last night. It left me flat. Not a single hint of Christmas in the entire production. Not a single decoration. Not even a mention of the word Christmas. Why they called it a "Holiday" concert was beyond me. They could have done the same songs in July.
We have allowed the tail to wag the dog in this country.
'Lawyers Ready to Sue
Attorney Demetrios Stratis, affiliated with the conservative civil liberties group Alliance Defense Fund, is one of 700 Christian lawyers across the country poised to pounce on such cases. '
'Look at this from bright side. The worm is turning. The good guys are starting to fight back.'
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat013.html#30
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/13/30.html
*** http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mic/Mic004.html#13
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mic/4/13.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jer/23/29.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/19/15.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Isa/65/9.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Gal/3/17.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Gal/Gal003.html#29
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Gal/3/29.html
....and not a moment too soon!
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Gal/3/17.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rom/4/13.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Isa/65/9.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Isa/66/5.html
Hope everyone's proper 'wedding attire' is in order at all times.
http://www.historicist.com/ojnj/index.htm
'The result of the current persecution of Christians is going to result in a Christian Lawyers brigade. Just wait and see. There is a major statement to be made here and the enemy has provided the tools with which to fight the battle.'
[He said He would catch them in their craftiness.]
'And when you think about it, this would be a bloodless way to fight such persecution. Eminently prefereble from a Christian perspective.'
______________________
Amen!
See above, particularly:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jer/23/29.html
and also:
2Cr 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Cr 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/2Cr/2Cr010.html#4
It's been my prayer that this is the way He intends.
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