A Wisconsin school district has issued a directive to its music teachers severely limiting the religious music their school choirs will be able to perform at annual Christmas concerts. Wausau school district officials issued the nearly total ban of sacred music as a result of what they claimed were concerns over the amount of religious music being performed by choirs in the district's schools. As a result, reported the Wausau Daily Herald, choir directors have been limited to one sacred number for every five secular songs featured at Christmas and other concerts.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/fa...tmas-music

WAR AGAINST CHRISTMAS!!!!!! I guess it's starting to be that time of year again.

You mean, in a public school where separation of church and state is supposed to exist, they're trying to enforce separation of church and state?!

OH THE HUMANITY!

Yes, the religious group which includes the President, 84% of Congress, and 66% of Supreme Court Justices is being attacked. That's not laughable hyperbole and a sign of severely misplaced victim status.

My issue lies with the word endorse. Allowing expression of common beliefs is hardly active endorsement.

(10-11-2013 01:24 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  My issue lies with the word endorse. Allowing expression of common beliefs is hardly active endorsement.

These aren't rules against students randomly breaking out religious songs, these are rules for administrators as they can influence which religion the children are exposed to and tacitly endorse one.

For all the intellectually challenged posters, there is one simple rule you must remember; if you wouldn't like a muslim teacher acting the same way towards a child of yours.

The Poor, poor, majority. (they have it so rough) Maybe they can do math instead of singing along to Grandma go run over by a reindeer

Somehow, the so-called separation of church and state didn't keep NASA from sending probes to Mars in search for the origins of life on Earth.

Apparently spending taxpayer money in an attempt disprove religion is fine.

(10-10-2013 11:17 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  You mean, in a public school where separation of church and state is supposed to exist, they're trying to enforce separation of church and state?!

OH THE HUMANITY!

You wanna point out that separation of church and state in the Constitution?

Oh, and while you're at it, maybe you should look up 'Christmas'.

Years ago, I used to get more agitated by this. But it really doesn't bother me anymore.

My non-denominational Christian church puts on a brilliant big show right before Christmas with kids and choirs that families can attend, I have Christmas music in my home, etc. There's all sorts of private religious-themed entertainment out there. So I don't really care if they "limit" overtly religiously themed music at public school concerts.

But having said that, there also comes a point where enabling children to express their Christmas traditions, etc., and decorate areas of the school with holly, Santa and tinsel should be allowed (I get that a crucifix or painting of Jesus adorning walls may be on the no-no list). Same for Jewish, Muslim, etc, kids when their major holidays come around. You can be careful that you aren't making non-faith kids feel uncomfortable without being a total buzzkill.

(10-10-2013 08:54 PM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  A Wisconsin school district has issued a directive to its music teachers severely limiting the religious music their school choirs will be able to perform at annual Christmas concerts. Wausau school district officials issued the nearly total ban of sacred music as a result of what they claimed were concerns over the amount of religious music being performed by choirs in the district's schools. As a result, reported the Wausau Daily Herald, choir directors have been limited to one sacred number for every five secular songs featured at Christmas and other concerts.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/fa...tmas-music

I guess "Silent Night" is out. That song was always the closing piece in my elementary and middle school's choir performances. It's really sad how times have changed.

(10-11-2013 05:44 AM)AngryAphid Wrote:  Somehow, the so-called separation of church and state didn't keep NASA from sending probes to Mars in search for the origins of life on Earth.

Apparently spending taxpayer money in an attempt disprove religion is fine.

Jesus Christ, you're a ******* idiot.

I forgot. Science and Exploration is awful for you people.

(10-11-2013 08:19 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 05:44 AM)AngryAphid Wrote:  Somehow, the so-called separation of church and state didn't keep NASA from sending probes to Mars in search for the origins of life on Earth.

Apparently spending taxpayer money in an attempt disprove religion is fine.

Jesus Christ, you're a ******* idiot.

I forgot. Science and Exploration is awful for you people.

Why would fossilized single celled organisms on Mars be life but an unborn baby isn't?


Anyway, I don't really have a problem with this. There are lots of Christmas songs that aren't religious. Still doesn't change the fact that they're all celebrating the birth of our Savior. So, there's that.

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

(10-11-2013 08:24 AM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:19 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 05:44 AM)AngryAphid Wrote:  Somehow, the so-called separation of church and state didn't keep NASA from sending probes to Mars in search for the origins of life on Earth.

Apparently spending taxpayer money in an attempt disprove religion is fine.

Jesus Christ, you're a ******* idiot.

I forgot. Science and Exploration is awful for you people.

Why would fossilized single celled organisms on Mars be life but an unborn baby isn't?


Anyway, I don't really have a problem with this. There are lots of Christmas songs that aren't religious. Still doesn't change the fact that they're all celebrating the birth of our Savior. So, there's that.

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

It's not "life on Mars". It would be evidence of life once existing on Mars. And what the hell does that have to do with abortion or religion?

(10-10-2013 11:17 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  You mean, in a public school where separation of church and state is supposed to exist, they're trying to enforce separation of church and state?!

OH THE HUMANITY!

Is singing a song promoting or endorsing religion, or is it simply singing a song? How is the district promoting a religion when a third party is singing a song that they weren't told to sing by the district? I say this as an atheist.

(10-11-2013 08:59 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:24 AM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:19 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 05:44 AM)AngryAphid Wrote:  Somehow, the so-called separation of church and state didn't keep NASA from sending probes to Mars in search for the origins of life on Earth.

Apparently spending taxpayer money in an attempt disprove religion is fine.

Jesus Christ, you're a ******* idiot.

I forgot. Science and Exploration is awful for you people.

Why would fossilized single celled organisms on Mars be life but an unborn baby isn't?


Anyway, I don't really have a problem with this. There are lots of Christmas songs that aren't religious. Still doesn't change the fact that they're all celebrating the birth of our Savior. So, there's that.

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

It's not "life on Mars". It would be evidence of life once existing on Mars. And what the hell does that have to do with abortion or religion?

Absolutely nothing. It was mainly a troll. Did you read the rest of my post?

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

(10-11-2013 09:02 AM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:59 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:24 AM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:19 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 05:44 AM)AngryAphid Wrote:  Somehow, the so-called separation of church and state didn't keep NASA from sending probes to Mars in search for the origins of life on Earth.

Apparently spending taxpayer money in an attempt disprove religion is fine.

Jesus Christ, you're a ******* idiot.

I forgot. Science and Exploration is awful for you people.

Why would fossilized single celled organisms on Mars be life but an unborn baby isn't?


Anyway, I don't really have a problem with this. There are lots of Christmas songs that aren't religious. Still doesn't change the fact that they're all celebrating the birth of our Savior. So, there's that.

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

It's not "life on Mars". It would be evidence of life once existing on Mars. And what the hell does that have to do with abortion or religion?

Absolutely nothing. It was mainly a troll. Did you read the rest of my post?

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

I prefer science and facts being represented in school.

When you can point out scientific evidence of our "savior", then maybe I'll reconsider. That being said, many Christmas songs (not all) promote Christianity. They have no place in public schools.

You want you kid to sing Christian songs in school, then take them to a private school.

(10-11-2013 09:04 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 09:02 AM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:59 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:24 AM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-11-2013 08:19 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  Jesus Christ, you're a ******* idiot.

I forgot. Science and Exploration is awful for you people.

Why would fossilized single celled organisms on Mars be life but an unborn baby isn't?


Anyway, I don't really have a problem with this. There are lots of Christmas songs that aren't religious. Still doesn't change the fact that they're all celebrating the birth of our Savior. So, there's that.

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

It's not "life on Mars". It would be evidence of life once existing on Mars. And what the hell does that have to do with abortion or religion?

Absolutely nothing. It was mainly a troll. Did you read the rest of my post?

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

I prefer science and facts being represented in school.

When you can point out scientific evidence of our "savior", then maybe I'll reconsider. That being said, many Christmas songs (not all) promote Christianity. They have no place in public schools.

You want you kid to sing Christian songs in school, then take them to a private school.

So, you didn't read my post. Cool.

Positive Rep me and I'll vote for Obama in 2016 now Free

You lovers of the founding fathers might like to know that they didn't celebrate Christmas because it is a pagan holiday.

(10-11-2013 02:08 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  You lovers of the founding fathers might like to know that they didn't celebrate Christmas because it is a pagan holiday.

Huh. You're wrong. Yet again.

http://www.mountvernon.org/educational-r...unt-vernon

http://www.whitehousechristmascards.com/...ohn-adams/