Majormd:
Nice posts on teh religious music thread. The only point I disagree with you about is whether it is reasonable to require a student who objects to a musical selection to stay on stage as part of the group while it is being performed. I am not certain this really minimizes disruption (will it not be obvious that some students are not performing? If not, does this not imply to the audience that all students are performing and have no issues with the musical selection?). Regardless, if the performance cannot stand upp to th edisruption of some students removing themselves from teh ensemble for a piece, then perhaps a musical selection that all students can stand behind is called for.
To the rest:
We do seem to fundamentally disagree on the manner and means by which symbols are incorporated into successive cultures and faiths. Personally, I find it inconsistent for Christians to accept the cross, the rosary, and the wine and wafers of communion while rejecting the Christmas wreath and tree. All have pagan precursors. All have been modified in style to conform to the currently fashionable beliefs. Jodih seems to deny the precursors of the cross because they had slightly different shapes. Of course, the Latin cross was not adopted as a widespread symbol of Christianity until the Carrolignian era. That shift is really not the point, though, the Christmas wreath has also changed in modern usage from the pagan original – all symbols shift in form when they are adopted into a new iconography.
On the larger issue, though, I do not understand why people would argue that because a symbol has a pagan religious value rather than a Christian one it is therefore proper for dissemination in our schools. Religion belongs in the church, in the home and in the heart. It does not belong in the schools. That applies to Judaism, Islam. Bhuffism, Christianity and paganism. Children should not be required to make jack o’lanterns, stars of David, crosses or Christmas wreaths.
Now, I agree entirely with the position that reasonable adult members of society should be able to differentiate between the secular and religious aspects of a celebration, but we are not talking about adults. We are talking about children. In paarticular, the OP addressed children of pre-school age. I do not think it reasonable to assume that pre-schoolers can divine the finer distinctions among the pagan, secular and Christian elements of Chrstman celebrations.
To me, the underlying question behind this issue is, why? What possible reason is behind the decision to select these particular images and activities for children. There are thousands of other projects that involve the same tools, the same skills, the same lessons. Why is it necessary to choose one that relates in any way with a major religious holiday?
(With all due respect to Melin, to point to a catholic schedule of holy days and say that teh nativity is not a major religious festival hardly takes into account the importance which the holiday is given in the majority of Christian congregations in this country.)
NOTE: This is off topic, really, but the idea that the phrase “In God we trust” can carry any significantly secular message truly is absurd. If I sometimes get sensitive over the use of religion by government bodies it is precisely because of the attitudes behind this statement.
The best lack all conviction
The worst are full of passionate intensity.
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