FAIR IS FAIR
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FAIR IS FAIR
To The Editor:
The editorial comments, D-P 10/20/13, of Charles C. Haynes, the Director of Religious Freedom Center are absolutely right. Concerning a failed ban on Halloween in a Pennsylvania public school district, Mr. Haynes states, "...the media wouldn’t have to look hard to find many other districts that are moving away from Halloween-themed activities during the school day and either moving them to non-school hours or replacing them with “harvest festivals” without Halloween paraphernalia. This trend to de-emphasize Halloween in elementary schools isn’t driven by fear of First Amendment lawsuits — or, at least, it shouldn’t be. What’s actually pushing public schools to re-think Halloween is the recognition that growing numbers of Christian, Muslim and other religious parents are opting their kids out of Halloween celebrations at school. A judge may not see Halloween as “religious,” but many parents see activities involving images of witches, demons and ghosts as offensive to their faith. Non-religious objections to Halloween are also gaining traction in some school districts. Many educators want to reclaim time lost to Halloween activities during the school day. None of these objections matter much to Halloween enthusiasts, as the brouhaha in Pennsylvania illustrates. Their basic message seems to be “don’t spoil the fun for my kid.”
Furthermore, public and government offices violate the separation of religion and state for the fun of Halloween--meanwhile, Christmas joy is anathema! Let's treat pagans like we treat Christians. Fair is fair.
If Halloween lessons and activities disappeared tomorrow from the October curriculum, little of educational value would be lost. On the contrary, less Halloween could mean more time to teach something that really matters. The public school has banned Christmas, forbidden Hindu, Muslim and Jewish holy days. How hard could it be to do the same to the unholy Wiccan and Satanic Eve of the Day of the Dead activities?
Pastor Terry K. Hagedorn
Calvary Baptist Church
PO Box 282 Reedsville, WV
Ph. 304-864-3870
MOUNTAIN MANNA, 96.7 FM, Sundays 9:30am
http://mountainmanna.com
"Pointing Mountaineers to Mount Calvary."
The editorial comments, D-P 10/20/13, of Charles C. Haynes, the Director of Religious Freedom Center are absolutely right. Concerning a failed ban on Halloween in a Pennsylvania public school district, Mr. Haynes states, "...the media wouldn’t have to look hard to find many other districts that are moving away from Halloween-themed activities during the school day and either moving them to non-school hours or replacing them with “harvest festivals” without Halloween paraphernalia. This trend to de-emphasize Halloween in elementary schools isn’t driven by fear of First Amendment lawsuits — or, at least, it shouldn’t be. What’s actually pushing public schools to re-think Halloween is the recognition that growing numbers of Christian, Muslim and other religious parents are opting their kids out of Halloween celebrations at school. A judge may not see Halloween as “religious,” but many parents see activities involving images of witches, demons and ghosts as offensive to their faith. Non-religious objections to Halloween are also gaining traction in some school districts. Many educators want to reclaim time lost to Halloween activities during the school day. None of these objections matter much to Halloween enthusiasts, as the brouhaha in Pennsylvania illustrates. Their basic message seems to be “don’t spoil the fun for my kid.”
Furthermore, public and government offices violate the separation of religion and state for the fun of Halloween--meanwhile, Christmas joy is anathema! Let's treat pagans like we treat Christians. Fair is fair.
If Halloween lessons and activities disappeared tomorrow from the October curriculum, little of educational value would be lost. On the contrary, less Halloween could mean more time to teach something that really matters. The public school has banned Christmas, forbidden Hindu, Muslim and Jewish holy days. How hard could it be to do the same to the unholy Wiccan and Satanic Eve of the Day of the Dead activities?
Pastor Terry K. Hagedorn
Calvary Baptist Church
PO Box 282 Reedsville, WV
Ph. 304-864-3870
MOUNTAIN MANNA, 96.7 FM, Sundays 9:30am
http://mountainmanna.com
"Pointing Mountaineers to Mount Calvary."
Keli- Number of posts : 3608
Age : 73
Location : Zarr Chasm, WV--between Flotsam and Belch on the Cheat River
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: FAIR IS FAIR
Halloween, Christmas and Easter themed based activities during the school year were at one time long ago an important part of education that taught the children many social values unrelated to any Religious significances associated with said events.
But not so anymore. Elementary School age children of today know more about the world they live in ….. than most High School graduates did of 60 years ago.
Most Teachers truly love said “themed based activities” because they don’t have to prepare Lesson Plans, give tests or teach during those times.
It’s all the other in-school extracurricular activities and the Field Trips to bowling alleys, movie theatres, amusement parks, rallies, parades, protests etc., etc., that are a true waste of “educational time”.
And let's not forget the last 2 weeks of each school year when little to none “educational time” is allocated or applied.
But not so anymore. Elementary School age children of today know more about the world they live in ….. than most High School graduates did of 60 years ago.
Most Teachers truly love said “themed based activities” because they don’t have to prepare Lesson Plans, give tests or teach during those times.
It’s all the other in-school extracurricular activities and the Field Trips to bowling alleys, movie theatres, amusement parks, rallies, parades, protests etc., etc., that are a true waste of “educational time”.
And let's not forget the last 2 weeks of each school year when little to none “educational time” is allocated or applied.
SamCogar- Number of posts : 6238
Location : Burnsville, WV
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: FAIR IS FAIR
What surprises me is how many "Christians" are upset about the possibility of losing Halloween--but, hardly peeped when Jesus was replaced by Frosty the Snowman.
Keli- Number of posts : 3608
Age : 73
Location : Zarr Chasm, WV--between Flotsam and Belch on the Cheat River
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: FAIR IS FAIR
Would you call those people Cinos?
Christian in name only
Christian in name only
SamCogar- Number of posts : 6238
Location : Burnsville, WV
Registration date : 2007-12-28
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