Dec 6, 2011
A New Jersey high school admits that it “inadvertently” censored Christmas songs that include the words God, Jesus, Santa, Christmas and Chanukah – in place of music that would not be “belief-specific.”
Colin Curran, a student at West Windsor – Plainsboro High School South, wrote about the incident in a Huffington Post blog titled, “Christmas, I mean Holiday, Music.”
Curran wrote that he was in charge of creating a playlist for a holiday breakfast hosted by the student council for young children. He said the student council adviser told him to avoid any holiday music that included the words God Jesus, Santa, Christmas or Chanukah.
Gerri Hutner, the director of communications for the West Windsor Plainsboro School District, confirmed the incident occurred – but said the adviser was mistaken.
“There is not a ban on religious music,” Hutner told Fox News & Commentary. “Religious music is a part of the concerts we have from elementary through high school. We do not restrict music within our programs.”
Hutner said the adviser incorrectly told Curran that the music could not have any religious overtones. She said the adviser had based that decision on information she had received from a former principal.
“We try to be very aware how we celebrate any type of event because we are a very diverse community,” Hutner said, noting that previous concerts have included songs like “Silent Night” and “Hallelujah Chorus.”
“I questioned the logic behind these restrictions and was informed that since we live in an area with many different cultures, our principal does not want to offend anyone with belief-specific music,” Curran wrote on his Huffington Post blog.
Curran detailed his search for holiday songs that might meet the school’s criteria – but only came up with a handful of selections. Among those making the cut – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Marshmallow World.”
“I understand that people have different beliefs, but is the mention of Santa in a song really going to change someone’s belief set?” he wrote.
David Cortman, senior counsel for Alliance Defense Fund, said school officials are acting “like the Grinch who stole Christmas.”
“There is absolutely no Constitutional crisis if the school allows Christmas songs to be played even if some of those songs are religious,” Cortman told Fox News & Commentary. “This time of year is Christmas – whether you want to acknowledge that or not.”
But many school districts are worried about lawsuits from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and their associates – groups Cortman accused of spreading fear.
“School officials shouldn’t have to worry about being sued merely for acknowledging a holiday that over 90 percent of Americans celebrate,” he said.
Hutner said the principal is meeting with the adviser in hopes of adjusting the holiday playlist in time for Saturday’s breakfast. The event also features pictures with Frosty the Snowman.
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When Will the majority start standing up to the ACLU? Too many people are afraid! Stand tall and do it anyway. I'm sick and tired of hearing about schools who don't even use Christmas colors and all that stuff that was a part of Christmas. BAhumbug lets start fighting back by just doing it anyway.
Never mind the minority, people in the minority deserve to voice their opinion. However, that does not entitle them to dictate to the vast majority of citizens. This is where the ACLU has been treading ever since they were created by their socialist founder. The ACLU should be forced to pay all the fees if their frivolous law suits are tossed or lost. That is how you balance the discussion. Fairness does not mean threaten to sue.
What are you talking about. None of us ever said christmas offended us. You guys have always made that assumption. Stop blaming minorities for your own assumptions.
Isn't Christmas all about God and Jesus? Call it what you want, Christmas is a Christian Holiday where we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It's NOT really about Santa Claus and Christmas trees and Frosty the Snowman. It's about Jesus!
Negative – it started out as a pagan celebration. Google Saturnalia and see what "the reason for the season" really is
oh yeah…
Kelly Calder I wonder what answer you give to the Christians who live in the Southern Hemisphere.
Bil Carter It doesn't matter. It doesn't change history.
Kelly Calder That's what is called a "non sequitur". It doesn't answer the question. Australians, South Africans and Brazilians all celebrate Christmas, but the seasons are reversed for them. Care to explain to them that the reason for the season is the Winter Solstice? Do you honestly believe any Christian is waiting for the solstice?
Bil Carter You do realize that at the time that occurred, I doubt there were too many Christians down there. Also, you do realize that they're not going to be celebrating the winter solstice at the same time as we are up here right? They celebrate that in June if at all. I'm not talking about NOW. I'm talking about where the tradition of celebrating during the week of Dec 25 came from and the Christians STOLE IT to convert more pagans. I don't care if you believe in god or the flying spaghetti monster. At least know the history of your belief and where it came from. Ignorance is bliss though. You can't deny that the Christians stole traditions to convert people. That's a fact. That doesn't mean you can't believe it – just be educated. Also there's no need for you to be so damn rude either.
How long until you are tired of sponsoring a public school system that is promoting false teachings? Does all of America have to go down the drain? You do have an opinion and options. Ban together and start a New school system. Its not hard to achieve. People home school all the time. Leave the doom and gloom crowd to them selves. they are so much smarter than Christians they will never miss us. Sit by and watch the final demise of America. It is time to react. You can make a change. What is your phrase? You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Or is it: If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts!
Seems like such a small thing, do away with a song, a tree, a cross, couldn't have much of an effect right? Hitler understood very well that you work in small increments and chisel away slowly. The jews were dehumanized step by step, it didn't happen overnight.The ACLU understands that concept also.Just as Germany imprisoned anyone who didn't conform, so will America, at present a bill s being debated to givet the president power to use the military to detain anyone viewed as a threat. Think it can't happen, during WW 2 we detained those of japanese and german decent. Giving the fact we now have a muslim sympathizer in the white house and an extreemly liberal court system, it's a small step between a christmas carol and imprisonment.History repeats itself because people follow like sheep.
Shit – I was wondering how long til a Hitler reference. There it is – Godwin's law.
SO IT IS OK TO OFFEND CHRISTAINS AND JEWS JUST SO YOU DO NOT OFFEND NON BELIEVERS.
I am from this town and am ashamed. Its because of all the hindus, asians, and whatever form of middle eastern descents that have taken over. Thank the lord I'll be living in south Jersey.
Did you read the article? It was one teacher – advisor whatever. It wasn't supposed to happen and they're going to fix it. Calm the f* down.
Did you read the article? It was one teacher – advisor whatever. It wasn't supposed to happen and they're going to fix it. Calm the f* down.
I am from this town and am ashamed. Its because of all the hindus, asians, and whatever form of middle eastern descents that have taken over. Thank the lord I'll be living in south Jersey.
Political correctness is destroying our society. I am God fearing, born again Christian and I have the right to MY, yes MY holiday. It is Christmas. Notice the first six letters? It is maddening to me that all of is are supposed ti simply set aside common sense because some one might be offended.
You hypocrites need to stop celebrating the CHRISTmas holiday period if you are so bothered by GOD or JESUS CHRIST! CHRISTmas has always been about CHRIST and if you want to rob the holiday of the reason for the season then don't celebrate the holiday at all! Stop buying presents because that is an act of celebrating CHRIST! The wise men bought gifts in honor of the Savior being born. If you are buying presents and giving them to your kids, friends, etc. then you are a hypocrite!
How on earth are you supposed to sing Christmas songs without saying God, Jesus, santa, christmas or chanukah? Why don't they let the kids sing ALL of them instead of NONE of them then it is all inclusive and for the 0.001 percent of people who get offended by christmas songs well what can I say– life isn't fair and you are not always going to get your way — GET OVER IT and stop suing the damn schools! The judges should throw ALL those lawsuits out of court for being stupid and frivilous and wasting ppls time. Stick to the more important things!
next is getting rid of Christians and Jews in school, we offend the world. Christian persecution is here.
oh good… now lets have a go at the new muzzy christian song… I will cut your head off it you worship any god but Allah… equal opportunity folks… you can't have one and refuse the others.
I don't understand why people have to go and white wash the holidays like this. Why not go the other route and be inclusive… play Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist religious holiday songs. Songs like "Jingle Bells" can be considered appropriate for atheists, too. And, everyone would be happy.
The First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no laws…"… it doesn't say, "Congress shall exclude religion so as not to look biased."
On another note, I disagree with Mr. Cortman. This time of year is NOT exclusive to Christmas. And, 75% of American's are Christian and fully vested in cerebrating Christmas… NOT 90%. The other 25% are some other religion or none at all.
But, I still think you can be inclusive about the holidays and not a jerk about it.
Wait–"Baby, it's cold outside" was approved for small children? One of my favorite songs–but the whole point of it is a guy is trying to convince a girl to stay overnight in his apt. How is this acceptable for young kids?
Laurie – in all fairness, he does try to get her drunk first.
What do you say to stupidity? We have to many of these gestapos in our government right now and they just keep coming. I will not bow to these rediculous demands on my beliefs that are the basis for my decent behavior. Their bad behavior is offensive to me but that's between them and their fellow countrymen since I believe it is between me and God and my fellow countrymen. We out number the them and have to quit giving them the attention that we do. Our borders are open. If you don't like it here then you are free to go. Can't do that in many places on this planet. It's still a great place and we may have a fight coming to keep it that way in the future. The worst enemy is from within.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
May God Bless you misguided people anyway.
Soon you wont get anything for Christmas! Bad people
GFYM. Common sense died long ago. All that is left are lying officials and lawyers to sue you if you look the wrong way at someone in an airport.
FOCUS ACLU!
FOCUS ACLU!
GFYM. Common sense died long ago. All that is left are lying officials and lawyers to sue you if you look the wrong way at someone in an airport.
Frankly, this doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is that they still play A Charlie Brown Christmas on TV. Especially when Linus gives his wonderful speech. God Bless Charles Schultz for fighting the good fight.
Dear fellow Christians, Sooo what have you done about the ban on Jesus Christ. Get off your butts, and do something to protect your rights to worship in our country. Advertise Him. Proclaim Him from the rooftops…become an activist for Our God.. If you just whine…..they win.
Every single Christmas symbol you can think of except a snowflake and a snowman ARE CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS and have a CHRISTIAN connection, even the colors red and white and green. So one is left with "The Snowflake orSnow-person" Holiday, and as we in New Jersey usually do not see much snow before January, we cannot even celebrate that until next month. And if we do not like cold weather than that is offensive to 'warm oriented' people.
I believe that if you get offend by our ways here in the USA get packing you are in the wrong country, We love Christmas and what it stands for, Standup for our country and not let anyone came in and tell us what to believe in or change our ways. Merry Christmas
This is America Speak English!
I am glad to see that the poor self-righteous political-correct weirdos have included santa, the pagan god of materialism, in their religious exclusions.
Since Christmas has been celebrated by the USA for many, many years, I see no reason for changing that. Jesus is the reason for the season, so let's celebrate Him!
This was never an issue before. Why is it an issue now?
Thank you, atheists liberals, for advertising my Lord and Savior. God bless you all!
BTW, this is in my school district, where my 3 kids go, my oldest attends this high school! And Hutner saying,. “Religious music is a part of the concerts we have from elementary through high school. We do not restrict music within our programs.” is a lie. My youngest who attends Town Center School, is having a concert, on the 22nd is the "Peace Around the World" concert, no where is that anything religious! What a crock of lies! Middle school is doing a concert with "Deck the Halls" and yet it is changed to appease others. VILE! I am sick of this crock!
I think getting religion out of schools is a good thing, even if it is done via Christmas music. There's supposed to be a separation of church and state for a reason. http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-christmas-gifts-for-teen-girls
Why celebrate a season you don't belief in it's reason? the beauty of life is entrenched in the discipline of a belief, it informs the foundations of your traditions and the correctness of the values that drive your society.America wake up what is happening here, must your unbelief affect my belief? wherein lies the freedom and human rights we advocate if in pursuit of your rights you desire to choke mine. Think! and wake up.You cant change fact that this holiday is christmas and that Christ is the reason for this season. Merry Christmas.
When are the schools going to learn. The MAJORITY still believes in God, and believes that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour? They need to quit messing around with trying to eliminate Christianity from every aspect of life. Christians are sick of it, and are no longer remaining silent. That is what needs to be done. Keep reminding everyone who makes up the majority, and quit caving to every special interest group that comes along. If a Christmas pageant bothers you, don't go, but quit trying squelch everyone else. It's almost as if those that seek to destroy these displays of faith stay awake at night, unable to sleep, because they worry that someone, somewhere is praying to God.