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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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I wonder if Fox News has a "War on Christmas" team dedicated to digging up little stories like this and exaggerating them to rile up the conversative base. At any rate, this is a small case of a school making a mistake by violating the separation of church and state embedded in the US Constitution. THe people here supporting the question think the Jesus question is ok but would go nuts if it said "I love Mohammed because______". Or "my President is great because _______". On a separate note, it's interesting that the article below this one, about a church banning interracial marriage doesn't allow comments. Fox knows it would be filled with racist vitriol and support for the racist church.
This is a Christian Ministry. Father forgive them..for they do not know You!
Jesus is the reason for the season..without Him there would be no CHRIST-mas! <3
How did it "Violate" the 1st amendment rights of the children? They weren't forced to answer the question. Better solution than sending out the apologies, FIRE the tutor! It's a Christmas package for crying out loud.
How about…If people in this country or any other country have problems with a questionnaire that mentions Jesus they just ignore any kind of handouts they are given from CHRISTIANS such as these shoeboxes? No, they'll take the assistance and then bash the organization willing to help in the first place! People really need to get over themselves. If you don't believe in Jesus, it's a simple task of ignoring the holiday. Don't participate in any festivities or allow your children to accept assistance or handouts from the people who do believe in the true meaning of the holiday. I ignore idiotic comments regarding faith on a daily basis. I ignore holidays that do not deal with my faith. It doesn't mean I don't want those who believe in it to be able to celebrate! Grow up, people!
I have to ask…What is it that non Christians find so offensive? It is the name? The symbol? The ideals? I have read many comments asking the questions "would you be offended if it said I love Buddha, Ala, Tooth Fairy because…" I think the answer is no and even if we were offended we probably wouldn't say anything. You see we, us Christians, are tolerant people, we have opened our Country, our Churches and our Wallets to all sorts of faiths and even those who believe in nothing at all. Why is it that allowances are made in public and private sectors for other religions yet Christianity MUST be banned from every aspect of our lives save the Sunday service. From what I understand this is a Christian organization working with other organizations and schools to provide gifts to needed families. Why would they not put something about Jesus or God in the boxes. After all, this Holiday, Christmas, is a CHRISTIAN holiday, hence the word Christ in the name. So I ask all the people of other faiths and those with no faith at all to be tolerant of us Christians this Holiday season and lets us Rejoice and Celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
I wonder when the Lord is going to have enough of all of us and bring judgment on this country. Tolerance leads to acceptance, and we've been tolerant and quiet for so long that all of this anti Christian mentality has seeped into our lives without anything making a peep. We need to ban churches together and have "marches for Jesus" and declare our faith openly and stop what our government thinks they are doing in secret.
Stinking Liberals
Wow! I don't know why I am still amazed at just how far we have strayed from the very reason this nation was founded to begin with but every time I read something as assinine as this it frustrates and angers me! What in the world are we doing, christians? And when are we going to stand up and fight for what we believe in? WHY apologize for this? Good grief! I just keeping praying that JESUS… yes, Jesus, the Messiah, will hurry and return. Yes, I know there are lost people everywhere… it's obvious…
This country was founded on religious freedom. Freedom to practice your religion or not practice a religion. You are free to practice your religion. No one is telling you that you can't. It just can't be forced on kids in public schools.
How is forcing it on them? I don't want my grandchidren to see ads for massage parlors or strip joints on the interstate…Since when is reading a message forcing? It's not like we're taking away their cell phones and making them take communion between classes. You have to speak in tongues in order to pass this grade…c'mon people. Shall we homoginize the English language and no longer allow people to use the phrase Good Samaritan, because it references a town/story in the bible? We as a society, like to "erase" things we deem offensive to others. When we should be sharing in a healthy way other cultures, religions, diversity to our kids, so they can make informed decisions as to who and what they want to be.
Jenna Payne Did you read the article? It wasn't the name of the of the charity that caused the problem. It wasn't the boxes that the children were making for the charity. The problem was the paper that was given to children in a public school that said, "I love Jesus because
—— ." Schools are not allowed to endorse any religions. Do a quick google search on the Establishment Clause.
As long as the charity is not trying to push their religion, then there is no problem. This charity stepped across the line with the questionnaire. You can have your religion in your house and in your church as much as you like. You can dress head to toe in religious symbols if you so desire. However, school is no place for it and the Supreme Court of the United States agrees.
Joshua Mann
I love Jesus because….some could answer I do not know him, or I do not love him. And many could answer: I love Jesus because He loves us and forgives us:) In 1963 Justice Black deemed the manditory reading of the Lord's Prayer in schools unconstitutional. However, it appears that this was a questionaire. Were they forced to fill it out, or was it optional? And here is the one thing that kills me the most: In the time we are taking to debate this out, we could be reaching a child, and helping them. Mentoring, showing a good example of how to be a productive peacefilled citizen. Instead we are (society) the Hall Monitor. We'll let violence, and drugs creep into our schools, but ban any exposure of a Higher Power. The Establishment Clause was designed to prevent a State authorized/enforced religion. Again, I maintain life is about choices. Just because I go to school and learn about communism doesn't mean I plan to become one.
Jenna Payne It doesn't matter what their answers could have been. The fact that this questionnaire was given to the students with the permission of the school is against the law. Why do Christians constantly insist that their religion be forced into school? When that doesn't happen, they try sneaky ways like this questionnaire. Just let it go already. You can preach all you want in your home. You can preach all you want in church. Hell, you can go stand on the corner of the street and preach to all those passing by and I will always support your right to do so. School, however, is not the place for it. Why do you insist on having it everywhere? I do not believe in any sort of higher power and I would not want my children exposed to it. There is absolutely zero proof of the existence of one. Children go to school to learn academics, not the belief in magical, invisible beings. They have Sunday school for that and the Supreme Court agrees with me.
Jenna Payne I agree!!! I mean if someone asked me why I loved Alla, I would reply I don't love IT (not him) at all. Would I be offended? No because it gave me an opportunity to promote, defend or ignore….
Dana Gillaspie That's good that you wouldn't be offended. Too many people in this country are too easily offended these days. It's also a good thing to see things like this as an opportunity. The thing is, school is no place for those opportunities to exist.
Joshua Mann Here is the really powerful, very cool and may I say ROCKIN' thing about being Christian: We don't have to speak a word. We can move mountains with our prayers. And the proof that there is a higher power, is your existance to state your free will. And the loving, and compassionate peace filled heart I have as a Christian, takes no offense to your unbelief. We won't give up on the Hope, that one day you will find your heart desiring to know the peace that defies all understanding. And it appears the "mountain" we need to move as Chrisitians is with our voting power.
I'm so sick and tired of hearing how we should respect other religions.Where in the bible does it say that.What the bible does say we are to be salt and light.We are to reach out to other people that are lost and bring them to a saveing knowldge of jesus christ.How are you helping people be saved when you are honoring there religion.There is only one way to the father and heaven and that's through his son jesus christ.If you are honoring someone elses religion and you know in your heart as a christian they wont be saved.I believe you will answer for that on judgement day.Take a look around fellow christians I believe at any minute we will find out who's right and who's wrong about who's religion is right.
WHY are they apologizing? they should be proud of it.
Hey Marion County school superintendent, SHAME ON YOU. WAKE UP! Don't let one individual get away with the blatant disrespect she has shown. Maybe she should be relieved of her duties and go elsewhere. Has everyone forgotten what this country was built on? I guarantee most of the soldiers would have loved getting the message that was in their box. Most of them know from where their help comes. You need to get a backbone and stand up for what this country was built on. Maybe if more people were standing up for what we know is right and good our country would not be in the situation that it is in.
How was she being disrespectful? She was standing up for her rights and the school was violating the law. I guess Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks were being disrespectful, too. So you think she should be fired because she is the wrong religion? That must be your assumption because that's all you know about her. She could be the best tutor ever. How many children has she helped with their academics? After all, academics is why they are there, not to learn about Jesus. They can get that at home and church.
"what we release on earth we release in heaven" We just keep on doing things that God doesn't appreciate. We always tend to side with the one individual who cries "foul" and we get that much closer to sending this great country to hell. I think if you are "christian" than you fail the LORD in not standing up to your beliefs no matter what the situation. Let us remember Daniel he didn't quit standing up for who he believed in, or was he a fictional character in a story that some find to hard to believe? Because that is what you do when you sit here claiming to be "christian" and do nothing. I will stand for God in rough times and in good. God has spoken and He has told us many of times to stand for Him, and not the "one who is in this world" Satan has got his talons so far in to "christians" that they fear bringing out their belief for fear of offending someone. "Stand up and be counted" stand up for God. We allow these things to happen and they will continue to happen unless we take a stand and fight for what we believe. We would have financial problems if we all were "good" stewards of our money. Unemployment would not be an issue if we took care of what we were given and not give it away to so call save money. I guess I would just like to say, "if you are for Him (invisible man, or what ever you call Him) than take up your "cross" and follow after Him and if you are not then keep that bench warm were you sit will soon be in the pits of hell. I believe God is very offended by us, and what we have allowed to happen. We have and we must take a stand for God! Quit allowing the enemy of us all to destroy what our fore-fathers started not less than 250 years ago. We need God in school, we need God in our jobs, we need God in every aspect of our lives. Not just on the "Sunday" fun days as everyone seems to treat it. God is more real than we are, we who tend to hide behind our "christian" facades. If you are the real deal then in the name of our Creator, and the Son who came and died for us "all" take a stand for Him so in the end He will stand up for you.
Fellow Christians – don't ever apologize for promoting the name and love of Jesus! In Matthew 10:32, Jesus said that those who do not acknowledge Him here on Earth will not be acknowledged before Him in Heaven. Christians are being tested right now by these worldly events and it is up to us to not fear losing our jobs or being politically correct. Choose now who you are going to serve – God or man! Man may have the power on this earth to pressure us and cause temperal torment, but God controls our eternity. Which one is more important to you?
This story is incredulous on many levels! What part of Operation CHRIST-mas Child did the school system not understand? That and SAMARITAN's Purse are stamped plainly on the logo of the boxes. It is virtually impossible to believe that school officials did not know this was a Christian outreach mission and that student participation would draw out all the crazy whiney (Church and State) separationists. But even more appalling is the fact that these same school officials then apologized for the use of the name JESUS. May I refer those self-proclaimed Christian school officials to Jesus' own words in Luke 9:26 of the Holy Bible. I urge caution in being ashamed of using the name of the Christ. It may well have eternal consequences for these so-called Christian school officials!
As a Christian, I try my best to follow Jesus's teachings. He said, "No man come to the Father except by me". That means there are Jesus followers ( generally refered to as Christians ) and everyone else. Now tell me one instance where Jesus showed tolerance for non-believers, and I'll be glad to do so my self. Until then I will have nothing but pity for non-believers, but "0" tolerance.
As a Christian, I try my best to follow Jesus's teachings. He said, "No man come to the Father except by me". That means there are Jesus followers ( generally refered to as Christians ) and everyone else. Now tell me one instance where Jesus showed tolerance for non-believers, and I'll be glad to do so my self. Until then I will have nothing but pity for non-believers, but "0" tolerance.
So asking children if and why they love Jesus is akin to Christians hijacking America Seems to me the first settlers came here for religious freedom and they were Christians. Only about 3 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were not Christians active in their church. The phrase "separation of church and state" appears nowhere in any of our founding documents. It was in a private letter and was in reference to the government staying out of the business of telling the church what to do, which is what the 1st amendment is all about. One of the first things our new government did was establish a Bible publishing company and legalize the printing of the Bible in english (which, under the English, was illegal). The Bible was the first public school book. Quotes from the Bible are on all our national monuments, carved in stone! Sounds to me like our nation was founded as a Christian nation by imperfect people saved by the grace of God. Now, whether or not YOU want to accept that, well, you have the right to be ignorant.
How can the mention of Jesus offend athesists or agnostics? According to them he doesn't exist right? How can you be offended by someone that doesn't exist? Why are people so intolreant of Christains yet we have to teach tolerance of homosexuality and Islam (sometimes one in the same) with federal tax dollars? When did Christains loose their rights?
When WE sat back and let it happen to US…Nothing to see here Christians…move along now…eveyone be tolerant of everyone else so long as it's not Christians.
How does me displaying a pentagram offend Christians? How does me teaching your children about Pan, Shiva, Horas and Demeter (blessed are they) offend you? Look at the shoe being on the other foot. We are just as convinced our way is true. Only we respect your beliefs and do not shove our gods down your throats. The only positive thing I recived from christian teachings when I was saved was the heart of Christ. To have compassion for his fellow man. You are not oppressed. You can wear your symbols and fetishes around your neck with out fear. I cannot. I beg all Christians to have the heart of Christ and love your fellow man like you love the Christ himself. That includes being tolerant. That is my message.
don't offend me….
you must have mistaken me for someone else
Hey athesists…CHRISTmas is about the birth of CHRIST….don't be celebrating OUR Holiday. Hey Federal Government, you want to take Christan beliefs out of the federal workplace? Deliever my mail on Sundays and Christmas then.. Jesus is either in or out….choose a stance and stick to it. Parting shot: "'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:16.
How the heck does that violate "the First Amendment rights of the students"? It seems to me that refusing to include it is violating First Amendment rights.
Because it's pushing religion on children without parental consent. It it really that hard to understand?
I just wanta say to the politicions and all the proffessers and all the atheists and to all religions that christianty is not a religion but a FACT every knee will bend and every tongue shall confess that he CHRIST is KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS all u heathans are trying to kick GOD out of his NATION u HEATHANS wont have a NATION u will have sharia law and that word means WICKED LAW and then will see how free u are witout the law of CHRIST wich is LIBERTY to make up your own mind to ho u wanta follow or hear christianty wont behead u or cut your nose and ears off u hear that all u religions thank GOD we have CHRIST WHO the HEAVENLY FATHER sent to show us the TRUTH THE WAY TO LIFE WICH IS GOD and the BIBLE is written to those that love the heavenly FATHER in JESUS NAME not to everyone were suppose to follow CHRIST and not CHRIST which is the WORD OF GOD that became FLESH and LIVED among man to FOLLOW us keep going down this path AMERICA and we will see who's wright man college proffesers islam atheists buddist or the HEAVENLY FATHER I got my SOUL betting on the HEAVENLY FATHER.
I believe everybdy has freedom of speech.
So sad and shameful one day they will wish Jesus name was in the schools again!
Yet another reason why we homeschool.
Ugh such nonsense.. Guess its time to stop doing this program..why are they doing this in schools? ok, its good to teach kids to share, but shouldn't they be getting that message from their parents? Id take the program right out of the schools..sorry you poor kids whose parents don't buy them anything.
amazing they throw us Christians to the wind but any other religion they bend backwards for makes no sense uh news flash the christian faith composes over 80% of us (not exact figure but close) in a islmic world do you know they kill people who are other faiths oh yea they kill gay people to big haters of gay people HUGE!
Christmas is a religous (christian) holiday; the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. So what if not religious messages, is supposed to go into these packages? Either you celebrate Christmas for what it is or you stay away from it in the first place, but making something out of it that it is not (some neutral/atheist holiday for example) is just ridiculous.
Tell me again how Christianity offends people?
another clueless teacher. The first amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion. This is no way say there a a Church of America. Are Americans really that ignorant on basic constitutional principals. Oh wait of course they are they also think the right to privacy is expressed as well. Foolish me.
So what it is, is, That over 80 %of Americans believe I n God in one form or another and that the rest of Of Americans don't. Now of that measly amount that doesn't, the Christian Community tries to share some of the special feelings and nuances of the season with them in the form of gifts and foods to ensure that their holidays are a little better and that children, especially the children, are taken care of as other children can be unwittingly cruel.Of both of the holidays that Christians try very hard to contribute to are Thanksgiving and of course, Christmas. Never have I seen ANYONE turning down Foods or presents given to them quite discretely. nor return the Christmas card inside which is mostly for the children. Children enjoy being able to help others, not brag, just help. Is that really so much to give in return? If it is, please feel free to call the Church that currently Gives so freely from their s, heart and minds, so they don't waste their efforts on you and instead.
Schools have become safer since prayer and The Ten Commandments were banned. And yes, I'm being sarcastic.
The wife and I prepared 2 shoe boxes to give and when we went shopping the Lord made it so easy to do. Those who are non-believers need to look at it like this…What if you lost your job, family and friends? You got yourself in a situation where good will from others would be your only hope. Would you complain then if the help come from a Christian based organization? There are children in our country and other country who think no one out there cares about them and for them to recieve something as simple as a shoebox stuffed with toys and other things they normally would never get changes lives.
"Rejoice in the Lord always"….Phillipians 4:4.
I volunteer for christian organizations even though I am a witch. Keep spreading the love for your fellow man.
Wake up people, what do you think this country was founded on? It surely was not on offending the anti christ. It was on God all mighty and our Christ. We should not have to apoligize for loving our Jesus and worring about offending all of the Anti Christian people in this World. I for one will never deny him and I pray for all of those who do. May God have mercy on your souls. If Chrsist was put back in our schools and government we would not be having all the problems we are having with our children or our country. My Christian brothers and sisters we need to stop be soo silent because the Anti Christ is roaring like a lion. God Bless, and Amen and Amen. My God you are the Alpha and Omega, The first , the last, the forever. You are my God and people I will never appoligize I shout it out Jesus Christ.
This is horrible, but just a small sample of what's going on in our Country. We need to stop complaining and start changing. The fact is that the public school system is a secular system, NOT Christ centered in any way. God calls us to teach and train our children. "train up a child in the way he should go.." He calls us to talk and walk in his love day and night. Changing our nation starts in our homes. Stop sending your kids off to a Godless worldly system and then complaining about it. Raise your kids, teach your kids, mentor your kids. Changing the world starts at home.
so what is so bad about "offending" someone. I am offended by their attempts to "not offend" anybody or anything! Where does it stop? Who gets the right to redefine what I can say or not say? Merry Christmas and GOD bless you! I hope as many as possible are offended.
They're celebrating Jesus' birthday.
Should they say "I love Lenny…."?
http://www.planetcommonsense.wordpress.com
And one other thing….
If this is so horribly upsetting to this person, what are they going to do when something that's actually legitimately bad happens to them? Like….oh, I dunno….getting fired from their part-time tutoring job for being ridiculous?
“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 is a sad statement. We can't be part-time Christians. We should be Christians at home and Christians at work. I don't see people asking anybody who practices other religions to check it at the door. For the record, I'm NOT neutral. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. After all He did for me, the least I can do is declare His name, even if it means somebody out there gets offended. We need to quit caving at every little complaint.
I guess its against the law to be Christian.
Sometimes I swear that we're still living in pagen rome.
Children are taught about Islam and other religions in school but to mention Jesus is a crime? None of these underprivileged kids would be receiving anything at all if it wasn't for the Holiday celebrating Jesus' Birth that prompted people to give to them. It was called "Operation Christmas Child", remember. If it wasn't for the celebration of Jesus' birth, there would be no such operation happening! No one ever gave an underprivileged child a coat or food or even an encouraging word in the name of Islam or mohammed. Those folks just strap bombs to the kids and send them out to martyr themselves.
You people are scary.
this story makes me sick how can u get so mad by seeing jesus name if it makes u that mad to an extreme of causing an issue should u even be allowed to celebrate christmas I mean isn't it jesus's birthday after all you cant have CHRISTmas without Christ where's all the apology letters to the christians who are offened by this o wait that's right we are not allowed the same rights as those of different religions because we do believe in god and that seems to be everyone elses problem because god is talked about openly and that's now all of a sudden offencsive well our founding fathers sure didn't think so when they were starting this country even in our pledge his name is mentioned so why all of a sudden does everyone else have the right to say that it isn't ok I will continue to talk about GOD openly and anyone who is offended better just close there ears because I wont apologize for talking openly about GOD.
How do the rights of ONE outweigh the rights of the MANY? Since when does anyone have to apologize for what they believe in, unless of course it's Jesus. Look what has happened to our country since we took God out of our schools.
This is a subject that has been going on for many-many years. If these people do not want the have religion expressed in schools or federal buildings or state buildings then how about these people do not enjoy the benefits of Christmas. If you do not believe then do not take the holiday off from work do not decorate for Christmas do not take off from work on any of the religious celebrated days. Stand your ground and tell your employer you do not believe and want to just work on these days. The Christmas holiday had been extablished to celebrate the birth of the Lord not for any other reason. Stay at work or at home so that you will not be subjected to those that do know what Christmas is all about.
um I am a firm believer in GOD and Jesus THANK YOU….but here is my big issue…who do you "AGNOSTICTICIANS" or what ever you want to call yourselves, think created you? Did an animal plop you out of it behind. Did you fall from the sky in a little tiny space ship? Did the Government sling shot you into the abyss and say ok this is where you are going to live from now on? OH and by the way when you get there NO ONE WILL HAVE ANY RIGHTS SO JUST GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT YOU PLEASE BECAUSE ANY ONE YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH WILL ALWAYS BE WRONG AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE RIGHT. Is that what happend? Someone please explain to me why we supposedly have all of the constitutional rights, but yet all of these complainers get them alllll taken away…Thank you guys. Youve really shown our kids what a real world without GOD is really like.
maybe the agnostic families should get their own schools if they don't like being in the same ones as the christian families…they make private schools and christian schools why not.
yes agnosticticians
ok….another comment because I am full of opinions and I love a good political rant lol….everyones comments makes me laugh and get me going….and I may be completely off on my thoughts here.. but…. it takes just one person to ruin it for everyone else…and without them realizing it for them as well…i cant help but think back on old court cases…and think hmmm….would they dare try this stuff again after going through all the hub bub of making history just to get an abortion or to get prayer taken out of the school because they were an atheist? It makes me think to much. heheh
and I don't think the school should be apologizing because one person got there nachos in a bunch.
how sad that people would call sending gifts to needy children "intolerant".