This morning as I was driving to a meeting, I was, as usual, listening to the local sports station, where they were talking about... Christmas. (you didn't really think they'd only talk sports did you?)
The topic was this: one of the hosts is annoyed by the PC'ing of Christmas. Things like people wishing "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" that sort of thing. Various people were calling in to agree or disagree with him on the subject.
For instance, one man called in and said, the public school his son attends will not allow the mention of the word Christmas in relation to any of the seasonal activities, even by the kids themselves. If the child says they can't wait for "Christmas break", they are reprimanded, if overheard, by teacher.
While I think that's an infringement of their free speech, that's not the one that was the real jaw dropper. No, a couple of calls later, a woman called in and told the following...
Her children go to Catholic school. (Not public - this is private and CATHOLIC). They had their yearly Christmas show, the kind where all the kids get up to sing. According to her, there were only two traditional Christmas Carols, which is sad in itself. But they changed "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" to "We Wish You A Happy Holiday"!
What's that? A Catholic school that doesn't even want to wish you a Merry "Christmas"? Does this mean they are going to take "Christ" out of the Catholic Church? And what will this do to their religious tax exemption? Enquiring minds want to know.
1
It really is a sad state of affairs. I work at a Catholic school and I had my 7th grade class create get well/Christmas cards cards for the principal who's out sick.
Several of my students wrote "happy holidays" at the top of the card, and I had point out we were in a catholic school, they were catholic, the principal was Catholic and it was quite acceptable for them to type 'merry Christmas'.
Posted by: Lynne at December 12, 2006 02:58 PM (r1U+q)
2
Ay yi yi!!! I thought I'd heard everything.
Posted by: allan at December 12, 2006 05:29 PM (4qqBk)
3
Okay, what's the name of the diocese - I'm writing a letter to the chancellor
and the ranking bishop!
Seriously, voices need to be heard, or the next thing you know, the communion rail will be pulled out (oops - too late), the stained glass in newer and refurbished churches will be "ecumenized" (damn! - late again), statues of saints and of the Blessed mother will vanish (no! wait!), kneelers will start to disappear (doh!), the Tabernacle will be moved away from behind/center of the altar (Aaargh! Make it stop!)...
...and it all goes downhill from there!
Posted by: Bitterroot at December 12, 2006 06:45 PM (GValb)
4
Gee, I think I need to proof read my comments more often. How embarrassing
Posted by: Lynne at December 13, 2006 02:49 AM (r1U+q)
5
Lynn - that's so funny about the kids and the card. I guess they've been brainwashed to the point that they don't even think about it anymore. BTW - I had to reread your comment 3 times to find what you were talking about. *grin* I didn't even notice.
Allan - yeah exactly what I was thinking.
Bitterroot - the woman didn't mention any names probably a good thing since she was on the radio. But, you are so right about all the changes. Back in the day when I used to go to church (when the kids were young) we went to an "old" church built in the 1890's - it felt like a church - smelled like a church. It was pretty painful to move to a new neighborhood with a modern new church that seemed more like an auditorium than anything else.
Posted by: Teresa at December 13, 2006 04:13 AM (gsbs5)
6
I am not approving of this or anything, but just because it's a Catholic school doesn't mean everyone that goes there or teaches there are Catholic.
In our area, the best private schools are the Catholic schools, so if you want the best for your kids you send them to the Catholic school, reguardles of their religion preferences.
This could be where this is coming from, although it's utter bullshit if you ask me.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at December 13, 2006 04:39 AM (BksWB)
7
I suspect that QW is right about the reason for this (many of the kids in our local Catholic are not Catholic). But, anyone who sends his or her non-Catholic child to a Catholic school, has no right to expect anything other than Catholic celebrations of religios days, such as the celebration of the birth of Christ.
Posted by: Jim - PRS at December 13, 2006 05:32 AM (a6/Kb)
8
Oh yes, there are any number of non-catholic kids in Catholic schools, but part of the "deal" with doing that is accepting that the religious part will be taught and be part of the school life.
With this one, I think someone was trying to be clever.
Posted by: Teresa at December 13, 2006 06:41 AM (gsbs5)
9
Get Papa Ratzi on the line!
Posted by: Sissy Willis at December 13, 2006 09:40 AM (sTYfM)
10
My kids go to Catholic school. There are a few kids not Catholic. That said... it is Christmas all the way. I can't imagine it NOT being Christmas. From the Christmas pageants with boys dressed as shepherds and the girls as angels to the parties where everything says Merry Christmas. Oh and to the entire 6th grade going on a field trip to see The Nativity. Nothing 'Happy Holiday' at our school. At all. I can't imagine...
Posted by: bou at December 14, 2006 02:31 AM (iHxT3)
11
I teach in public schools, and my kids go to Catholic schools. Maybe it's just because I live in the deep, deep South, but we celebrate CHRISTmas in both places. In fact
*looks around to make sure the ACLU isn't watching*, we sing CHRISTmas carols every morning at my school during December.
Posted by: Mrs_Who at December 17, 2006 04:45 AM (GValb)
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