Christmas program
Elizabeth Williams
Originally published 02:18 p.m., December 17, 2007
Updated 02:18 p.m., December 17, 2007
I am sure that those who voted for the name “Seasonal Celebration” title not to be changed to the “Christmas Celebration” were happy that they won the vote. I was not.
Our school children, unless they are taught by their parents or go to Christian schools, do not really know what the true reason for the celebration is. Some think it is gifts, Santa Claus and candy. They don’t know that the greatest gift they will ever receive, if they are taught, is that Jesus was born and died, that we might live and go to Heaven and not Everlasting Hell.
That is what the Christmas Celebration should be taught and celebrated and called.
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
Is this for real? You think children in public schools should be taught religious content just in case they don't get it at home? It’s not about who won or lost. It’s about following the laws of our nation. I also think it’s funny that YOUR religion is the only one that matters. How would you like it if your tax dollars were spent on a program based on Judaism?
December 17, 2007 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Give it up already!!! I am so sick of this going on and on and on. The program's name is never going to change back. Why don't we all relish in the fact that we have the right to celebrate this season how ever we see fit, in our own homes, and no school board or politician can take that away. I was once like you.. wanting the name to change back. However, in the past few weeks I have realized there is nothing anyone can do about it, unless we are all willing to donate a few thousand dollars to fight it. And I really don't see that happening.
And P.S.- Any Christian child that hasn't been taught the true meaning of Christmas has idiot parents that only THINK they are Christian. Leave the religion at home, no matter how sad it is that so many think it is all about presents and lights. Let the parent's deal with this.
December 17, 2007 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
the gazette is publishing letters that was written weeks ago, how would i like it if my tax dollars were spent on judaism? about the same way i like my tax dollars being spent on public schools that have to teach english as a second language. isnt it funny how a few dollars spend on a once a year program causes more of an uproar than spending money to accomadate those who wont take time to teach their own kids english at home
December 17, 2007 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Yeah, what is up with the older letters just now being published?? I wrote one on Saturday to them, they never bothered to publish it today. I think someone over there just wants us to get all worked up and have a crappy Christmas. Way to go Gazette publishers! And a very Merry Christmas to you too!!!!
December 17, 2007 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kansasgirl (anonymous) says...
Wow, such an uproar over one of the most beautiful programs I had the priviledge of growing up with. I participated in the "Christmas Program" up until high school. It was always a wonderful program to take part in. It WAS an Emporia TRADITION. That, to me, seems to be one of the biggest problems we have nowadays, NO TRADITION. It is such a sad state of affairs that we have decided that the traditions of the previous generations do not fit our new age lifestyle. Have you taken a look at our country and the world lately. The "baby boomers" decided that we weren't going to be like our parents and their parents before them. Boy what a mistake that was. I brag about my hometown of Emporia to all I meet because the people in Emporia never let the world change its values and traditions. I may have to stop bragging. As far as I know all religions have been welcomed in Emporia. The spirit of the Christmas Program seems to no longer exist. How sad.
December 17, 2007 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Ya know, I wasn't going to jump in this thread, and won't argue either way, but this news item has had me scratching my head lately, so I thought I'd throw it out there. Speaking of congress "favoring one religion over another". It concerns the recently passed House resolution honoring Christmas. Not going to get into it, but I do have a question - of the 9 Democrats that voted AGAINST it, 8 of them voted FOR a similar resolution honoring Ramadan earlier this year. What's up with that? Curious......
December 17, 2007 at 8:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TeacherGuy (anonymous) says...
Way to go Gazette?
Why shoot the messenger. It's the idiot Christians who can't let it go.
December 17, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
TeacherGuy:
May you have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas, and may you find peace within yourself during this winter season.
From: An idiot Christian
December 18, 2007 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Ms. Williams:
I'm actually teaching my children to embrace people of all religions (or lack of) and all colors. Because not a single one is WRONG.
I'm guessing you didn't teach your children that same thing.
And since the Seasonal Celebration is over, can we just move on for the year? I'm bored already.
M
December 18, 2007 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
I agree with kansasgirl, it WAS a great TRADITION, but too many people are turning the CHRISTMAS PROGRAM into a nightmare. Nobody wants to be a part of it at this point. Glad I no longer live in Emporia. What a great town going to waste. I can't hardly read the Gazette anymore because all the topics just anger me and it's the same thing over and over again.....Christmas, Somalians, blah blah blah....Merry Christmas everybody!
December 18, 2007 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
Ms. Williams, you have clearly missed the mark. What part of "separation of church and state" do you not understand? It is in the public schools that children should be learning Algebra & English, not about Adam & Eve. If you feel your children are not receiving enough of an education about what is written in The Bible, then you need to question the leadership of your church... not the leadership of the public schools.
It seems to me that all of the religious zealots, those who bark about the matter of Christianity not being taught in the public schools, were obviously not paying attention when they were students in such classes as American History and American Government. The purpose of the separation of church and state is to protect religion, your religion included (Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, Judaism, Buddhism, etc.), so that one religion does not impose its beliefs upon your religion. My word! We live in a democracy, not a theocracy. If you truly want religious beliefs taught in our schools, then look no further than the Middle East to see what kind of a mess that will create.
Brian Protheroe
San Francisco, CA
December 18, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
Great post, Brian!
December 18, 2007 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
usetolivethere (anonymous) says...
Are you kidding me?….Bigger tragedies happen in the world everyday. Let it go… Emporians have been in an uproar over this issue since I was a child (80’s and 90’s).
My honest opinion on the issue…. Stop believing that any one religion is the divine faith… Instead believe in your chosen faith, practice it, and don’t press it onto others. I believe that this would stop issues like this at the beginning.
December 21, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )