QUICK LINKS
Believe It Or Not!
Just when you think it can’t get any more ridiculous, you discover that indeed, it can.
The kids at Bellevue Washington’s Medina Elementary School wanted to help the less fortunate this Christmas, I mean … holiday season. So the kids and their parents decided on a “giving tree.” It would have mittens as decorations and the mittens would carry the age and sex of the person getting the present and what they would really like to receive.
“No!” said a few. And Principal Betty Hill said, “I was gently reminded that the tree represents some part of Christianity.”
In a burst of creativity, the Principal said, “We can easily carry on our giving efforts whether we put the mittens on a sled, a snowman, a tree, or a counter. So we have put our mittens on the counter.”
Kim Rashin, who is Jewish, says the tree didn’t offend her at all. “I am fully in support of having a giving tree.”
The School says it doesn’t matter where the mittens are; it’s the giving that matters.
The problem with that is the whole idea of giving also represents “some part of Christianity.”
It was the founder of Christianity himself who said, “Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Jesus (Matthew 19:21).
So, their dilemma deepens.
____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom Network
Click here to add this blog to your email inbox.
2 Comments:
Don't these officials realize that there is NO law concerning the issue of having God, Christmas, the Bible, etc in the schools, and that there is complete freedom for the teachers to teach children on these issues? The 'separation of church and state' is distorted with todays interpretations! The forefathers would NOT want all these 'take aways' in our educational system to be happening! ONly the individual school officials are 'dreaming up' these 'laws' that do NOT exist!
Granted they went overboard on this one. That sometimes happens in beauracracies that design one size fits all policies to protect against any possible exposure. People need to relax on the tree. It represents many cultures. In fact most Christmas customs have roots outside Christianity. Regarding the freedom to teach children on God, Christmas, the Bible, etc. - fine, so long as it is in a comparative way. The minute any of the religous part is taught as fact, that crosses the line and becomes endoresement - hence, illegal since they are a government entity.
Post a Comment
<< Home