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A North Carolina school has apologized after a teacher complained about a religious message found inside an Operation Christmas Child project.
“Our intent was not to offend anyone,” said Ira Trollinger, superintendent of McDowell County Schools in Marion, NC.
Trollinger said students at Glenwood Elementary School were preparing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, part of a community service project.
Operation Christmas Child is sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, an organization run by Franklin Graham. They expect to send more than 8 million shoe box gifts to underprivileged children in 100 countries. Around 60,000 churches and 60,000 community groups in the United States are participating.
As part of the project, the school children received a questionnaire that asked students to fill in the blank: “I love Jesus because ______.”
A part time tutor at the school complained about the questionnaire arguing that it crossed the line and may have violated the First Amendment rights of students.
Trollinger told Fox News & Commentary that no children complained and no parents complained – just the part time tutor.
“We may have teachers and tutors that are agnostic,” he said. “And that is certainly up to them. And we don’t mean to offend anyone. We want to give kids the opportunity to share and to feel good about what they are doing for other people who may need it more than they do.”
Nevertheless, the single complaint launched a flurry of apologies and phone calls. Trollinger said they called teachers together to remind them of the rules governing religion and public schools.
“We can’t support one religion over the other,” he said. “So many of us are Christian, but in our setting we will try to make sure we respect all religions.”
Trollinger said parents received an automated telephone call alerting them of the incident – as well as letters – all because the name “Jesus” was mentioned on a slip of paper.
Trollinger, who is a Christian and teaches Sunday School, said he is worried that some people will take offense to the apologies – but the rules are the rules.
“We have to be neutral there – even though personally I’m not neutral, when I’m in my job, I am neutral,” he said. “I try to be.”
The school hopes to continue participating in Operation Christmas Child but Trollinger said in the future they will not participate in the survey involving the “Jesus” question.
It’s not the first time Operation Christmas Child has raised the ire of critics. The Air Force Academy apologized in November after it was accused of religious intolerance for promoting the Christian ministry.
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Maybe the school should apologize to the little boy or girl that will not get a gift this Christmas. Probably the only gift they will receive! I would be able to handle it better if the schools taught math, english, etc and not be a social expirement in the classroom (leave this to parents). The schools don't apolize if anything is mentioned in the classroom (Islam, same-sex marriage etc) unless it is Christianity. I'm excited and sad at the same time. Excited because increased intolerance and persecution means my Lord is closer to coming back but sad to see the state of my nation. Much of our problems are due to no moral absolutes that are being taught in our classroom! I'm commanded to shine Christ's light in the darkness and I'm not playing the victim.
Agree Cory. How about they apologize for offending me and my Savior?
Well said.
It's Christmas, which is a christian holiday. Schools should be allowed to celebrate the holiday and all the pageantry that comes with it. The same can be said for other religions, if I walked into a school and saw a Ramadan poster, I wouldn't give it a second thought.
The amendments in the constitution are there to stop the US from becoming a theocracy. Instead, activist liberals have twisted it to be "freedom of religion=no religious freedom". Radical liberals are ruining this country, they want to follow Greece into economic disparity and make us passionless/conscienceless robots that are all equal. I am better then a lot of people, a lot of people are better then me. Its nature, and you can't legislate nature.
I never thought I would see the day that a school had to apologize for anything pertaining to Christmas. I remember everyone at my school in the 60s getting so excited about the Christmas Cantatas. Now you can't even mention the birth of our savior. God help us.
“We have to be neutral there – even though personally I’m not neutral, when I’m in my job, I am neutral,” he said. “I try to be.”.
This teacher, a Christian, gets it. What was that verse about slaves obeying their masters? The job/'master' demands neutrality while on the job. They are NOT there to preach, they are there to teach. Now that said, they should have thought beforehand that joining with a Christian ministry may have caused problems. Or, they should have made filling in that questionnaire optional. Have we forgotten that old saying (not from the Bible, from Francis of Assisi) – "Preach the Gospel. When necessary, use words."
the voice of the few out weigh the voice of the many…its a shame
The first mistake as Christians can be seen in the title of this article…"School Apologizes for Operation Christmas Child Message." Why should the school apologize for an organization that provides millions of gifts to needy children across the world? What kind of person would be offended by a message that helps a needy child. Christians have to stop apologizing each time someone is offended by our beliefs. As a Christian I am offended when advertisements call Christimas shopping holiday shopping or Christmas trees, holiday trees but their purpose is not to offend anyone spending money. Christians know the true meaning of Christmas and if you are offended by Christmas you have larger problems.
I just hope the good Christians out there will at least give us non-believers a few weeks notice when they are going to start torturing and burning people to death. I really don't want to hang around for a righteous cleansing. For those of you who think that it was just a little note. What if I added a note about all the child sexual abuse that is committed by the priest and preachers? My child's school is singing a Christian song during school hours but they won't let me teach them the words to Dear God from XTC. You make a very personal decision about the church your family joins. The people in your church share not only your belief in god but other values. What if we teach about your Christian god in school but your teacher believes you should dance with poisonous snakes and sleep with the preacher to prove your love for god? Keep church and religion separate from governments and schools.
Seems like the so called "religious tolerance" is causing us to be less tolerant every day. Forty-five years ago in school I saw no such issues as we children of Christians, Jews and Muslims sang carols and made decorations of all faiths…the experience providing an insight to other cultures and doing far more to promote tolerance. If a Jewish kid picked up a card that said "I love Jesus because _____" they would have simply put it back in the pile and picked up a different one more appropriate to their faith. We're slowly becoming a nation of intolerant assholes, and it's not only religion but with race as well. God help us.
What part of operation CHRISTmas are they not understanding? We are getting way to over sensitive and accomadating as a society. Maybe I should not say this so I do not offend anyone by God help us.
LOL study your history….Christ was not born in December. My god was. Her blessed holiness gave birth to her son the god. This cycle has gone on for many thousands of years. Christ was born in July or April I believe. I am just thankful for the people full of goodness that give thanks to my god, no matter the name used.
Can't even call a christmas tree a christmas tree any more now its a "holiday tree" stupid people gotta stop hatin, what happened too freedom of speech and religion & so on…damn corrupt system
Here we go again…more "political correctness" gone berserk!
why am I amazed????
They did the same thing at the United States Air Force Academy…didn't want to offend some muslims from my understanding. I have no respect anymore for the AFA.
I don't see this as being anti Christian, it's just keeping religion out of the public schools, which is the law. What if there were Jewish or Islamic or Buddist children in that school? I'm Jewish and my kids don't even know who Jesus was. Maybe the paper could have said I love G-d because… or I love to help because… isn't this supposed to be the HOLIDAY season for EVERYONE to celebrate and come together? Why does it have to be about only Christians and forget everyone else? This is NOT a Christian nation, it's a melting pot where everyone is supposed to be treated equal. How would you feel if at Passover time all schools and work places only served kosher for Passover foods? You wouldn't like it, I bet.
If a Christian organization wants to involve a Christian school in this exact project, great. If they want to involve a public school, they need to make sure that they are operating in a way that does not exclude or insult students of other faiths. They can't pick just the Christian kids out of the school to do a project, they have to make it work for everyone. Every student may have been Christian, but that still doesn't make it a Christian school
Lynn Anne Cutler EXACTLY my point!!If a Jewish organization decided to do a charity project in a public school and made it something religious, the non Jews would be upset that it wasn't made equal. The whole point is to make it equal for everyone in the public sector. If my tax dollars pay for my kids' school, I want them to be equal. If I wanted something religious, I'd pay for private school!
I am glad this happened. Now some kids that might not have thought about Jesus have at least thought about him and that might plant a seed. And at least we know where this part time tutor stands.
My problem with "sepeartion of church and state" is that we have taken it far beyond its original intent. It was intended to seperate the institutions,(meaning the buildings themselves). They did not want people using the church as a political headquarters. In its original design, it was meant to PROTECT the church. Now, we have allowed the athiests and the courts to use this to stop the church. God Bless.
If you go back and study what the founders stated regarding religion, morality and education, then you will find that they did not advocate separating religion from education. They did not advocate the government establishing a "church" that everyone attended, but they did advocate the inclusion of religion (meaning Christianity.) Not all the founders were Christians, but they were Deists. Ben Franklin, probably the least religious of the group, called for the reinstatement of prayer prior to the meetings of the Continental Congress.
So, to say the separation of church and state means that religion and morality must be removed from the public schools is a lie being perpetuated onto the people.
If you go back and study what the founders stated regarding religion, morality and education, then you will find that they did not advocate separating religion from education. They did not advocate the government establishing a "church" that everyone attended, but they did advocate the inclusion of religion (meaning Christianity.) Not all the founders were Christians, but they were Deists. Ben Franklin, probably the least religious of the group, called for the reinstatement of prayer prior to the meetings of the Continental Congress.
So, to say the separation of church and state means that religion and morality must be removed from the public schools is a lie being perpetuated onto the people.
just whose birth do we celebrate at CHRISTmas? what was the name of that little baby born in the manger? Whose 'holiday' is this, it is the CHRISTians, those that believe there is no God, can do thier shoeboxes on 4/1!
just whose birth do we celebrate at CHRISTmas? what was the name of that little baby born in the manger? Whose 'holiday' is this, it is the CHRISTians, those that believe there is no God, can do thier shoeboxes on 4/1!
To apologize for this, is to give up our 1st Amendment right to free speech. The Constitution does not prevent religion from being in the government it prevents government from interfering with religious beliefs. America is still a Christian Nation regardless of what our present President says. Each time we allow the ACLU and others like them to commit like this we lose a little more of our freedom of speech. To the offended teacher you are not in need of an apology and should not get one. What you need is to reassess you life. If you are so offended by this issue perhaps you are in the wrong Profession. I know I personally would not want someone with such a narrow view teaching my children. Such arrogance to think yourself as the Religious Police to prevent good from reaching children in need in America and around the World.
QUIT APOLOGIZING FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN OR BEING AFFILIATED WITH A CHRISTIAN GROUP. And, by the way, if it wasn't for our Lor Jesus Christ, more than likely these children would not be working on a school communitry project. Christmas is about Jesus. Samaritans Purse is uncompromisingly Christian. What did people expect?
Maybe this part-time tudor needs a history lesson. There is a place in our country for ALL people, Christians, agnostics, atheists, and people of all faiths. The first amendment prevents congress from creating a religion…that is what separation of church and state means. Looks like the losers here are those who don't understand their freedom to practice their faith and have chosen to be neutral. Here is what's written in the 1st amendment…The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
SAD DAY IN AMERICA! One lone critic robs children of the joy of giving!
Let me turn the tables for you…how would you feel if I forced your children to write for Yule. I love the Goddess becuase _____. Or I love Shiva becuase _____. I am sorry but there are people out there that are not christian and those kids are made to feel bad at holidays. I have never been offended by a cross or by saying merry christmas. Can you say the same about a pentagram…. a holy symbol? We are not trying to trample your rights…just standing up for our own. I can assure you my attitude is more christ like then yours. You either allow all religions in the class room or none at all. We are just as convinced our way is correct, we just keep it to ourselves. Were the burning times really of god? Do you wish to bring that hatred and intolerance back? That is why America is so great. I can worship who and how I wish. All I am asking you guys is to have the heart of Christ. He taught of love and respect. I have no fear id heaven is real when I get up there they will let me in, I could look Christ in the eyes and tell him I have lived a pious life. I have judged no one and loved all the people as my brothers. From upstanding citizens to the whore. Would you be able to look him in the eye and tell him you have been tolerant and loving to your fellow man? I am always still surprised by the hatred in Christians. You have not been persecuted in 2000 years. My people are persecuted every day. There are more of us then you will ever know. We teach your children, we take care of the sick, but we do not wear our religion on our sleeve. Thousands of years of burning and persecution have made us hidden. So in closing I say meditate on the heart of christ and ask your selves if you are truly loving your fellow man as you love Christ himself? Blessings to all and I will pray for your souls….for you know not what you do with your intolerance.
Remember folks Bottom Line, this is not a Religious issue! It is an Attack on the values and morals of America. It is intended to destroy the American way of life.
How does asking "I love Jesus because ______" violate the First Amendment but giving my child the day off for Rosh Hashanah and Yon Kippur not? My son specifically know that's why he is off and doesn't know he is off for Christmas because it is masked as "winter break". The message being delivered is no one is tolerant for the Christians but we are being forced to tolerate all other religions.
Us pagans celebrate Yule at the same time as Christmas…should we call it yule break and have your children color a picture of the Goddess (blessed be her holiness) giving birth to god? Everything to do with Christmas is pagan. All the songs, symbolism and everything else. There are secs of Christianity that celebrate christmas on Christ's true birthday. Should we start teaching your children that? No. I respect your beliefs. I wish christians would be more christ like and do the same.
You just offended and insulted about 20 million people moron.
Surely we are not going to let the non-believers i.e……….Agnostics and the like to eliminate Jesus Christ from our everyday life. Politically Correct is going to destroy America from the inside out. You folks better start to see the light and fight every effort to do away with Christianity in our country.
Luke 12:11 When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say…I support Operation Christmas Child and participated again this year and will continue. It saddens me that just about every day this week there has been something about Christ, Christmas, etc that keeps being removed or changed. It's Merry Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, not Happy Holidays, it's a CHRISTmas tree, not a holiday tree, I will not deny Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Eliminate federal control of the schools and return it to local control…. and the schools will mirror the communities. If the community is overwhelmingly muslim or overwhelmingly Christian, the schools would better reflect the values and beliefs of the children who ATTEND the school…. and not some tutor, traveling salesman, or educational beaurocrat.
The tutor should refuse to get paid because "In God We Trust" is on the money lol.
In spite of hardship, persecution, slavery, torture, imprisonment and even death, Christians not only survived, but thrived. How did Christianity survive in pagan Rome? The answer is quite simple. In the first century, the apostle Paul predicted the ultimate success of Christians in his letter to the Romans:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”.
So get rid of the ignorant tutor! Christmas is about CHRIST!
again, Christ was not even born in December…..my Goddess gave birth to our god, which is older then the God of the Jews. The Christians over took the holiday from the pagans. Christmas is about birth and new life. Also read your bible and see what Christ was about….tolerance. How many girls have you called sluts and osterised? How much church gossip have you been a part of? Jesus, would not approve of intolerance and hatred. Try to live up to your name, and be more christ like. Spread the love not hate. I love my Christian brothers….do you have that same love, as christ did? For the whores? The drug users? The corrupt and the pagans?
Its like I say to the people that come to our country and want to change the fabric of America…You don't it here? When you leave don't let the door slam your ass on the way out
Jill Newsom Lol I have been here my whole life, just as many jews, hindus, pagans. Your Christ did not tell the whores to get out of the temples. He accepted them and let them in. Christ would be ashamed of you.
Jill Newsom your hatred will not overtake the love in my heart. I love you.
Obviously you didn't read my reply completely….I was using an analogy…Once again….Just like I say about that the people that come to our country and are not happy with things and we are forced to assimilate to their ways, or risk being called "insensitive" or "politically incorrect" I have the same feeling about this tutor…If this tutor does not want anything to do with Christ's birth or Christmas day (And yes I know that these are not the same day BUT we celebrate it to be so) Christmas holds the symbol of being Christ's birth…SO AGAIN…If this Tutor doesn't like it …go find an atheist school or pagan school to tutor at and don't come in and try to disrupt the rest of us!
I have no hatred in my heart. I am voicing my opinion about the situation at hand. If this tutor is offended by Christmas and Christ then she should have removed herself from the situation instead of being so selfish and ruining it for these children who do believe.
Jill Newsom then don't push it down my kids throats at school. I have never been offended by your cross. How would you feel if I told your kids about my gods? I keep my religion to myself in daily life and do not want the schools to teach or favor any one view over another. I am here to spread love and compassion on this planet and I need not invoke god outright to do so. I will be judged for my actions. I have fed the hungry, clothed the whore and comforted the children. I do not bring god into it becuase the spirit is seen in my every action and day. I am trying to get people on this board to see the love not the hate. And I am glad to see the tone of your post change from hatred to civility. Bless you and keep the love for all in your heart as Christ would want. The whore, the lowly, the immigrant and the heretic. Through your actions not your words the Christ shall be with you.
So ridiculous! Since when has it become a big deal to ask about Jesus Christ during something related to CHRISTmas?
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I'll bet the school celebrates Kwanzaa, a holiday created by a racist, God-hating, convicted felon who invented the holiday in part for his hatred of Judeo-Christian religion, calling it "spookism", and saying: "Jesus was psychotic." (Source: Dr. Karenga, The Quotable Karenga, pg 25-26) But mention the word "Jesus" and the liberal progressives freak out.
Christmas is about Jesus!
amazing – now we are forced to apologize for being Christians..what's next.. being forced to hold services in secret like the early Christians? so the 99.999999% at that school says it is fine and the one wacko -probably a muslim – says NO and and we all bow down and kiss their behinds…. the end is near for sure.
It was a survey, tutor should have thrown it in file 13 and moved on. I think we should spend more time protecting our children from the obvious sexual and physical abuse that seems to be going on in this country behind closed doors and is only revealed when it is too late. I doubt any child could have answered that question with conviction, I'm a christian and it's been a long road to answer a question like that with true conviction. I read this and thought silliness abounds, bigger things were happening there than offending somebody, get over it.
hmmmmm….the school adminstrator is afraid of offending anyone….how about the millions and millions of us Christians whom he has offended…
If it had been a Buddist, Muslim, Scientology message it would have been ok, anything but a Christian message would be acceptable. This is why our nation and schools are in such sad shape and soon God will give up and quit protecting us.
I wish He would come back….now. It will make sense, albeit too late, for all the non-believers…
Come back? How can he come back if he was never here? You should read the story of Horus. If you like the Jesus story, you will love the Horus story. They are practically one in the same except the Horus story is thousands of years older.
So Christians… will you continue to sit idle and watch this all happen right before your eyes? For decades, at least as far back as the 1920's… Christians have increasingly sat idle, in their churches, separatists to the world, and ignored the continued acceptance of Socialism in the Judeo Christian founded United States of America. Oh… most were aware of it but are doing NOTHING. If this country fails you can look no farther than THE PULPIT! If Socialism becomes the society of America you can look no farther than THE PULPIT! If Christians continue to be whipped into submission you can look no farther than THE PULPIT! Men of "The Cloth" you are responsible for leading the flock. You took an oath… a covenant with God to "feed My sheep". You had better Wake-Up Christian… put on your garment of Acceptance, Humility and Obedience! And for you sheep out there, professing Christians… what role are you playing in allowing such as in this article to continue. Yes who are baptized, how were you baptized? Into His death! You had better stand up for God and this Nation founded under Him… do you not know He will not tarry forever? I challenge each Christian in our nation today to STOP! Pray, Humble yourself, seek His Face and turn from your wicked ways; He will then Hear your prayer from Heaven, forgive your sin and Heal your Nation! Join with us in doing what is pleasing in the eyes of The Lord. Blessings to you all. Amen.
Remember, it doesn't say in the bible… "Everyone will love you, and you'll not be persecuted"… It actually tells us the opposite… your son's and daughters WILL be persecuted and even killed for their faith… but do not dispair for them for the kingdom of heaven is theirs…
as a Christian, this is what you signed up for, hold fast, and cling to your faith… so fight all you want, but on earth, it is and will be a losing battle, God has said as much.
pagan here but it seems you have been to a good church with good teachings. Have the heart of Christ and love your fellow man as you love him. Bless you.
The man said " on the job I am neutral" I was never aware that you could be a part time Christian. I would not want him teaching me or my kids in Sunday school.
ALL christians are part time christians. It is a cherry picking religion. When did you last stone a woman to death for not screaming loud enough whilst being raped? When did you last execute one of your children for disrespecting you? There is no such thing as a christian who follows the bible to the letter.
I was recently deployed to Iraq. We received numerous donations to take to kids that had religious messages in them. It was offensive to them and I understand why. I'm guessing most good Christians complaining on here would complain loudly if their young children received a gift with a Muslim message in it.
Fire the part time tutor!
Yes, fire her because she is the wrong religion. Jesus Christ…
Are they aware that Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Christ? If they want to celebrate Christmas, not "the season", they should come to terms with the fact that it's a CHRISTIAN holiday.
Then what's up with the tree and giving of gifts? Those were pagan/viking rituals celebrating the winter solstice (same time as Christmas).
If you want to really learn about why Christmas is celebrated at the time it is, do a quick google search. You may be surprised at the behavior of early Christians.
Though some things at this time celebrated by many are pagan, giving gifts and being charitable is recognized in reference to gifts given to Christ after his birth. And I guarantee you am aware of everything you know and more about the holiday. What you have not said is a factual rebuttal to my statement. Christmas IS a Christian holiday. Samaritan's Purse is a Christian organization. Why participate in a Christ-centered activity and charity as an atheist? Is it worth complaining about Jesus while doing so?
yep you guys stole Christmas and Easter.
Does anyone remember why our public schools were 1st introduced? It was to teach chidren to read so they can read the BIBLE! That's right to read the Bible. Seperation of church and state is to say NO state will force you to believe its religion! Not saying there is to be no religion aloud in schools, government etc.. (I would venture to say that evolution is the states religion..theory not proven)..How far we have come and gotten things confused! And I agree with Terry I am tired of the reverse discrimination.
Kathy Cydis-Apparently liberals and atheist do not study history.Just like the wording of the constitution being twisted to mean what they say it should mean.
Another thought… Jesus was Jewish, his Last Supper was a Passover Seder… so why do some people act as if any non Christian religion, including Jewish, isn't important? Our Bible is the Old Testament… we have the same G-d.. we just don't believe Jesus was His son. We don't deny he existed, he's just not a religious figure for us.Why does everything have to be about the Christians only and no one else? Not having religion in schools or public places is NOT anti Christian, it's keeping things equal for everyone, which is what our country is supposed to be about.
That's what I've tried desperately to say to people who insist that everything in this country be "Christian". It infuriates me, actually. People sometimes fail to stop and think about what they're really saying!!!
Lisa Blocher Klien.-The article was not about the Jewish faith.As i recall it was the Jews who turned Christ over to be put to death.MERRY HANNAKU
Emily Kate Spurrier, thanks! That was my point exactly… this is not a Christian country and it was not a Christian school. People need to learn that the entire country is not only about one faith or group of people. If there are people out there who want to only be surrounded by like people, they should send their children to private schools and work in private businesses, not anywhere public.
I am so sad to see all these "Christians" posting that do not have the heart of Christ. Loving your fellow man is important. As a witch from a family of Cohen's, it amazes me the intolerance of these people. Growing up we would light the menorah with our uncle, attend mass with my grandmother, church with my aunt and the holiday yule log and wreath making with a friend. Religion is not something to divide us, but something you can experiance from another point of view and learn. But these are the same people that feel the Dali Lama is going to hell. The man who has lived more piously then any christian.
Chalon King thank you! I'm having a very nice (and civil) conversation on FB with a bunch of my Christian friends who all agree… They all say Christianity preaches love and understanding and so does Judaism. There is no reason to hate someone because they are different or believe in something different. Jesus didn't hate, Jews are not taught to hate and I know most Christians are not taught to hate. It's so sad to see so much bitterness.
One person complain over the mention of Jesus Christ and we fall on the sword of self hating and humilliate ourselves, and this is coming from a regular human being, no wonder it say's in the word that on the day the antichrist rules we will turn on each other.
If you have not figured it out yet folks, "We are going to HELL in a hand-basket." It's as simple as that.
I have good news for you. You don't have to worry about going to hell! Hell is just as mythological (pretend) as heaven. You can rest easy tonight knowing that there is no fire and brimstone in your (or anyone's) future.
Schools get paid from the State based on the number of students that attend…. all Christians pull their children out of the public school system and shut them down… problem solved.
If the tutor was offended by Jesus why was she participating in Operation Christmas Child? Christian-haters forget Christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ. If they don't believe in Jesus stop celebrating it and make up your own holiday. In the process stop tearing apart a Christian holiday. I'm sure the tutor doesn't mind the paid holiday. Wake up America. You can't spell Christmas without Christ. Merry Christmas to people of all faiths and those that believe in nothing.
You can't spell the word bible without the letters LIE either.
I celebrate christmas…and I am pagan.
Chalon King – And I respect that. Pagan, Buddhist, Christian, etc. The universal stand should be good will to others and to help those in need. Not to show intolerance to others for their beliefs.
Michael O'Coners There's nothing wrong with helping others through charity work. There are Satanists who give to Christian charities because they want to help those who need the help. The problem arises when the charities start pushing their religion as well. These boxes that this particular charity is making is a wonderful thing. They ran afoul when they added the questionnaire.
Joshua Mann It's refreshing to hear that Satanists set aside their arch rivalry to do some good for others. You raise a good question. When religious groups help others should they be able to promote themselves? I believe that yes they should. Charity is a business. If you can't promote it how will you continue to operate? Besides, I'm sure if I were in need and the local Satanic charity offered me some help I'd either have to take their brochure and their help or hope a Christian charity comes by to help instead. But are there any Satanic charities? If not, I can imagine why. I'm not versed on Satan but I figured helping others isn't on the top of the priority list. As far as the questionnaire goes the children and families had the option to respond. I feel more offended having to check the "white" box on federal and state forms. Aren't we a color-blind society now? I can see how these same forms asking religious information would be offensive and very questionable but a Christian charity
offering up an innocent question? I have a very open mind for religious views and it doesn't sound like a very big deal. Apologize to the tutor – yes. But everybody who isn't offended – that's offensive.
Michael O'Coners , dear gods forgive this man for he knows not his intolerance and ignorance. I am a pagan that does do work for the church. I have Christians friends and I help out at their churches. I have some wonderful friends who have taken the teaching of Christ to heart. He did not throw out the whores, he made a place for them. My friends and family know that I am a good person who could stand before the Christ himself and look him in the eyes and know I have followed his way. My religion is not of Satan in the least. We live by a harsher code then Christians do. "an do no harm and do what you will" that is the harshest commandment. I can harm no one in touch, thought, or deed. That means abortion is also wrong to witches. I am a witch becuase I heal, witch comes from the word wise women. I follow the way of the Buddha and even killing a fly without just cause would damn my soul. I pray to Christ as well for he was a great teacher and taught of love and compassion for all man. I can assure you I come with the love of Christ for you. I love my fellow man and wish to see love spread through this world. For us to not fight over religion, to live and let live. Christ would want you to spread the love not the hate.