yep, it’s what I do every year
So you’re a secularist celebrating a religious holiday. I agree with Ike: there is no such thing as a secular Christmas. There are also no secular baptisms or secular 1st communions. The fact that you don’t believe in God doesn’t mean you aren’t participating in a religious practice.
If an atheist goes to a church service, it’s still a church service, for example.
Maybe they should show “Bad Santa” in the school auditorium. That would disabuse anyone of the notion of Santa as a religious icon.
I tend to agree that this may be a case of “We’re going to be offended FOR you, just in case it never crossed your mind.” It happens a lot in Oregon. I’m a Democrat and this state is way too liberal for me in many cases. They’re so busy trying to get consensus on everything that often nothing gets done. It’s infuriating.
I’m offended by Santa. The bastard never gives me what I want.
Yes. I also noticed this one:
The meat of a note to the Glencoe High School office staff read, according to Oregon’s KATU: “You may still decorate your door or office if you like, but we ask that you be respectful and sensitive to the diverse perspectives and beliefs of our community and refrain from using religious-themed decorations or images like Santa Claus.”
That sounds like a ban on SC to me. Seems like they walked it back when folks complained. Had no one complained, would you have felt you were free to put up a Santa Claus pic if you were a teacher there?
That doesn’t address his point. If you want to be sensitive to those that don’t celebrate, why wouldn’t you ban all celebrations, not just the excessive ones?
But it is apparently OK to be just normally offensive, as long as it isn’t over-the-top offensive. But there isn’t a policy or directive here - just keep in mind that it is OK to do it, except when it isn’t, because that’s inclusive, sort of. Not that I am saying it is or isn’t OK - just keep in mind that you shouldn’t do it. We aren’t going to ban Santa - just keep in mind that it’s bad, unless you only do it the normal amount. Not excessively.
Good thing they cleared that up. Not that I’m saying they did.
Regards,
Shodan
I think this is really cool!
I’m an atheist and I attend the Unitarian Church on occasion. We go by 7 principles, so there’s no need for all that God stuff. I also celebrate Christmas. I’d say our Christmas celebrations are secular because we are not celebrating the birth of Jesus, or anything having to do with religion.
I dunno. I imagine that if you are a Jewish or Muslim or whatever kid, there’s a real difference between Christmas decorations being a thing this time of year and Christmas decorations being the only thing in the world this time of year–a tree in the corner is different than a whole Santa Claus bulletin board where all the kids post their letters to Santa and every surface has Christmas crap on it.
“Is that a candy cane in your pocket, or are you just really happy to see Santa? Ho, ho, ho!!!”
(That was one of my best Santacon lines)
So the inability to please everyone becomes the desire to offend some people only moderately. It makes a kind of sense, at least to me.
I think of it this way: there is no way to avoid Christmas entirely, and generally everyone gets used to your average amount of Christmas displays and greetings and so on. “Over the top” just means such excessive decorations as to rub them in the face of anyone who isn’t wholeheartedly celebrating as much as the person decorating thinks they should be. I understand the mindset of the over-decorator, as well as the one who doesn’t want to have to look at it. Of course, it leaves it as a judgment call (with attendant cries of “Unfair!”) as to what is actually too much.
eta: Ninja’d by Manda JO who said it better.
Eh, South Park already did this show, years ago.
Yeah, Pawtucket, you get a pass from the Supreme Court, but you’re still guilty of bad taste. That display sounds like it was a Hot Mess!
An elephant? 
Yep, they want to keep Xmas out of the schools, but they sure as hell want the 2 weeks off.
Who is offended? I’ll tell you who is offended. First off, PETA. How in the world can we celebrate someone who treats reindeer in this way? Capturing, holding captive, training and forcing these innocent animals to work under such harsh conditions is unethical, inhumane and downright criminal.
Second, the anti-immigrant crowd. This clown, dressed in red, is not a U.S. citizen. He doesn’t live in the U.S. but comes and goes just as he pleases. This is a slap in the face to our sovereignty. Sure, he’s leaving gifts now but you can bet the farm that, down the road, he is going to want services meant for REAL ‘mericans.
Far right wingers – Santa is a secular being and Christmas is a goddamn religious holiday! This country was founded on Christian values. Saint Nicholas? Fine. Santa Claus? I don’t think so. Don’t forget - you can’t spell Christmas without G-O-D.
Far left wingers – Santa is a religious figure and this country was founded on freedom of (and FROM!) religion. Having this Christian saint shoved down our throats every year is too much. While we’re at it, you can throw that stupid rabbit and his eggs in the stew pot. Sorry PETA.
Anti-NAFTAers – Just look at all those jobs outsourced to the North Pole. With any luck he of orange skin and silly hair will bring these manufacturing jobs back to where they came from. If S.C. doesn’t want to play ball we should hit him with a 30% tariff. That’ll give him pause and I’m not talking about “up on the rooftop reindeer pause”. He’ll be “Ho, ho ho” –ing out the other side of his face.
Climate change deniers – the next thing you know he’ll be complaining about melting ice and polar bears eating his elves. The best defense is a good offense so let’s get rid of him now. Besides, do you know how much oil could be under the North Pole?
Feel free to add to the list.
As a kid raised Jewish in a predominantly Christian area there’s no way I could view Santa as anything but a Christian symbol. Yes, some people aren’t religious about their Christmas Santa celebrations but it’s all part of a general Christian culture that’s so pervasive that people inside don’t even notice it. But you may very well notice it if you are outside that culture.
I don’t find Santa offensive, my wife decorates the house with scores of them each year. I’m even participating in a Santa Run 5K next weekend where I’ll be dressed as Santa. But I still see it as a Christian symbol - one that I did not embrace growing up and one that many people I know don’t embrace either. It’s part of our dominant generic Christian culture that has many religious and non-religious elements.
I absolutely defend the right of school administrators to be giant horses’ asses during the holidays, just like they are at all other times of the year.
Just wondering - what holiday decorations are appropriate in “inclusive and welcoming spaces” for the kiddies?
Maybe a giant Amazondotcom icon in honor of “Cyber Monday”.
Jackmannii, celebrating secular Xmases since…well, a really really long time. 
Deck the harrs with barrs of horry! Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra, ra-ra-ra-ra!
Basically, pretty lights, pretending it’s winter, even if the seasons don’t change where you are, or it hasn’t snowed, glitter. That’s about it. We used to cut out our own snowflakes. Make snow scenes with white glue and glitter. There you go.
A person could also acknowledge the spirit of giving associated with the season. A class project to help a homeless shelter or something of that nature - giving in the sense of showing the better side of humanity, not “I really need that Xbox.” What I personally like about this time of year is that aspect of things: That so many us seek and share our better selves. I wish we did it more, but I like that we do it at all.
I think folks who worry about a war on Christmas, and others who worry about the influence of Christmas decorations both need to find something better to worry about. There’s lots out there to choose from.
Really dude? :dubious: