The Daily Press editorializes today (‘Church and State, York County Schools try to better define the line’. Sep 15, 2006) about the York School Board changing its policy on Religion and Religious Instruction that “separation of church and state is a bedrock of our Constitutional protections, and public schools are one of the front lines where that metaphorical wall must be safeguarded. But that’s not to say that winter holiday pageants must be devoid of all religious content. After all, most of the winter holidays that are celebrated – Christmas, Hannukkah and the Muslim celebration of Eid-ul-Adha – are religious in origin.”
It’s not about religion. It’s about holidays.
(Actually, the Constitution is about Congress, not York County, not establishing a religion as the official state-church – not separation of church and state. I digress.)
The York County policy on Religion and Religous Instruction is just fine as it is. No need to change one word.
No parent complained about not having religion in schools. No parent asked the School Board to teach religion. They asked for relief from what the DP sneers is “the so-called war against Christmas.”
When Christmas trees, Santa Claus, ginger bread men, and the colors red and green are banned from a school in December – it is, indeed, a war against Christmas. The DP doesn’t report it as it is because it doesn’t fit their politics.
Winter holiday, Hannukah, and Eid-ul-Adha are not official U.S. and Virginia holidays. Christmas is.
The parents want all the Official holidays included in the instruction and observation – for their historical, traditional and cultural educational value.
The DP says the “proposed policy gives schools more throrough guidance, and that’s good.” Actually, the proposed policy screws up the section on religion and religious instruction by requiring instruction in ‘diversity’, where no religious instruction was mandated before. Also, the policy says that York County may compel persons to participate against their religious beliefs if there is reason enough. Define the reasons. Define diversity. What a can of PC worms.
If York would follow the Federal Department of Education and Virginia Department of Education guidelines, they would be fair and fine.
It’s not about religion. It’s the holidays.