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DEL.ICIO.US‘Tis the season for children singing and dancing on stage
Will they actually sing the songs? Will their costumes stay on? What extras will they add to the performance?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whether they’re dressed like pilgrims, shepherds, little angels or sheep, it’s always a thrill, and in our case sometimes worrisome, to see your children take to the stage.
Our 7-year-old Rose has always been a solid performer. When she was very little she might not sing all the words or do all the hand motions but she was always on task. As a second-grader, she is top-notch — recently portraying Europe and the Volga River in a class geography production.
Our 5-year-old son, however, is a wild card. You absolutely never know what kind of performance you’re going to get out of him. Grandparents show up just to partake in the spectacle known as Walsh.
Last year, as you may recall, he was demoted in the preschool Christmas performance from wise man to shepherd because he refused to practice. During the show, he stood on the end of an aisle allowing him to wander. He walked back a few steps to examine lit candles. He tried to scoot next to his “girlfriend.” He continued to sing and do the hand motions throughout all of his extra-curricular activities.
Several parents who saw him in preschool shows attend our elementary school and were excited to see what he would bring to the kindergarten stage.
They got their chance a few weeks ago when we attended his kindergarten production of “Turkey Tunes and Thankful Thoughts.” Our daughter sang in this production two years before, but with Walsh we knew it would be a different show.
He could do all the songs and hand motions at home, but the question was: What else would he do while on stage?
He marched in cute as a button in his pilgrim outfit. I’m always amazed what teachers can make from some white garbage bags (aprons for the lady pilgrims) and some construction paper — hats, little arm cuffs, large white square collars.
He started out adorable, but much like Janet Jackson, he had a few costume malfunctions. As he sung and swung his arms enthusiastically to the music, he kept whacking his hat off of his head, and his little white cuffs repeatedly slipped off his tiny wrists.
His best little buddy in the class helped him several times by retrieving his hat in between songs and placing it back on his head. But in his best Tony-award-winning, large-arm-motion performance he knocked it off over and over again. Finally, his little buddy gave up.
I guess they we’re being kind placing Walsh next to his best friend in the class, however, he hugged him, chatted with him and made eyes at him in between each song.
If we learned nothing else in preschool, we learned don’t ever put Walsh on a corner during a performance. He needs to be blocked in between other children so he can’t wander the stage area. This year, he was on the front row on the corner, on the cafeteria floor and not a riser. His position was perfect for exploring.
He turned around to examine his fellow pilgrims and Indians. He sidled over to a mom that he knew, a friend of mine thank goodness, who was on the front row. In all his excitement, he kept getting right in this poor mother’s face between songs telling her what was coming up next. She was very kind about it.
In one part of the show that had a rap beat to it, he started “popping and locking.” I have no idea where he learned this but he was actually pretty good at it. He really looked like a little robot.
I don’t think Walsh was trying to be bad. I just think he gets excited about performing. It will be a sad day when he actually stands up there and only does what they tell him to do.
How do your kids do in performances? Are they too shy to sing along? Do they hide in the back? Or are they right up front singing loud and clear? Do they ever get distracted from the task at hand?
And we would love to see your little darlings in action. Please submit photos from your child’s school or church holiday play.
You can reach Theresa Walsh Giarrusso at ajcmomania@gmail.com. Ideas are always welcome!
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Family Life
Comments
By Jesse's Girl
December 8, 2008 6:24 AM | Link to this
Walsh sounds like mine…it might be a national security threat to ever get these two together! The Boy’s big thing this year was every 3rd word was thunderous….”when the PILGRIMS came they SAW fiends that THEY could make” Entertaining….yes. Last year at pre-k it was caught on tape to be shown at his wedding……as he is standing up during the Christmas performance, with 50 other kids, he finds me in the crowd. He proceeds to not so quietly inform us….in between breaths of “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”… that he thinks he has to poop. Thats my boy.
By motherjanegoose
December 8, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
YES, THE LITTLE RASCALS CAN BE LOTS OF FUN! I remember when my son was 4 and got into a tif with the preschool director’s son right in the middle of the Christmas pageant. They were poking and pushing until someone gave them the look…haha!
Really, some of the quirkiest kids who are not the ones to memorize lines will actually become stand up comics as they are able to be funny on their own…perhaps Walsh?
Enjoy this while you can…as I am worried that some of these programs will soon be eliminated in the public schools. I am ALL about respecting the rights of others but when that infringes on actual American celebrations then we have a problem in our American Public Schools.
I work with all sorts of groups and have learned that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are becoming very vocal about NO holiday celebrations. Early childhood teachers everywhere are saying that they parents are complaining that they do not want any celebrations in the classrooms…including NOTHING for birthdays. No cupakes, no singing no birthday crowns etc. They do not recognize their children’s birthdays as it is part of their religion….look it up!
While I DO understand that many do not want to talk about Baby Jesus’ birthday ( for Christmas) in our public schools and respect this decision…birthdays are a part of our American fabric….everyone has one…no one would be eliminated.
Next, we will remove Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day from the Kinder classroom. The thing that bothers me the most is that if Jehovah’s Witnesses were truly concerned about the wrong exposure in the public schools, then WHY do they not have their own schools ( to send their children to)…I have visited Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Jewish, Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopalian schools and many others but have never seen a Jehovah’s Witness School….has anyone else and are you prepared to give up your child’s birthday celebration at school or even candy canes and reindeer? Ask around…teachers everywhere are feeling the pressure ( telling me about it) and many schools cannot even mention Halloween or Christmas AT ALL. Some districts do have a backbone and will tell the parents…this is public school…HELLO but some are caving. We are talking about PUBLIC SCHOOLS….don’t we all pay the taxes here? Just wondering!
By disturbed
December 8, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
the definition of Megalomaniac: Giving your son your last name as a first name!
By jg
December 8, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Just a thought…If Jehovah Witnesses don’t do birthdays - then how will they know how old they are?
Anyhoo…I feel bad for some of these kids - my daughter has a friend who tries not to tell her mom when the school is doing anything festive…she likes to participate.
When my son was in the 3rd grade the school changed the words to “We wish you a Merry Christmas” to “We wish you a Happy Holiday” - they specifically told the kids they could NOT say Christmas….I was so proud of these kids during the final song when they defied their teachers and sang “We wish you a Merry Christmas” - the poor teacher was flapping her arms to make them stop!
By DB
December 8, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Our entire family still laughs, three years later, at my niece’s then-4-year-old preschool Christmas concert. One song was “12 Days of Christmas”, and the kid that had “FIVE GOLDEN RINGS” was totally tone deaf with the most sonorous voice every found on a four year old. And LOUD! So, you’d have all these sweet children’s voices piping up, charmingly lisping about about partridges and French hens, and then you’d have this kid intoning, portentiously and with great volume, no expression, and a deep voice that belied his years: “FIVE GOLDEN RINGS.” We all crack up everytime this song comes on the radio now, and when it gets to that part, we all join in, loudly, “Five Golden Rings!!”
By Jesse's Girl
December 8, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I just don’t understand the doctrine of the Jehovah Witnesses. They only believe that 240,000 of them…and only them…will make it to heaven. And they will better accomplish this by having nary a celebration in their daily lives! I try very hard to respect every person’s belief system. However…..I agree that their opinions on school goings on are being taken too far. We had a very loose Thanksgiving party in my daughter’s 4th grade class. We didn’t even refer to it as such….we made a point of calling it a fun hour long break to honor the upcoming week off of school. The kids kept on working and just had some cookies and juice boxes at their desks. The only Jehova’s Witness in the class was in TEARS because he wanted to call his mom to make sure it was ok if he had a cookie. He sat there and cried quietly at his desk because he was so afraid of getting into trouble. My heart ached for him! Believe what you will….but when your child suffers emotionally, it becomes a problem. This child is not permitted to go on field trips, attend gym functions or even participate in field day!! Even the Muslim kid in my oldest’s class gets to enjoy these things.
God never said to allow the joy in your life to be sucked away.
By Jesse's Girl
December 8, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
My apologies….its 144,000 that get to go to heaven…and only 144,000. The rest are apparently given the opportunity to live in an Earthly paradise. But I still don’t get the no celebration thing….having a joyful existence is what Christ wants for us!!!
By nurse&mother
December 8, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Political correctness has gone way too far, IMO.
I love my son’s preschool (Episcopalian). We celebrate ALL holidays and call them what they are! We celebrate birthdays too! I just love being an Episcopalian.
Our school system is fairly homogenous with very few minorites (except the rising hispanic population). Not too many people argue about “Christmas break”, Christmas party, Valentine’s party, Thanksgiving etc.
By Becky
December 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
My 2 are going to be in their first Christmas play this year & they are so thrilled..So guessI”ll get a chance to see how they do in a couple of weeks..
I had a coworker that was a Jehovan’s Witness & y’all are right, they are strange/different/whatever..I thought that they didn’t believe in Drs., yet she would go to the Dr. every time she got a paper cut..
She would call in sick, then later we would find out that she wasn’t really sick..It was always, well my uncle wanted us to have a family meeting or I was on the phone talking to so & so until after midnight & I was to tired to work..
My company gives us a Christmas nonus every year, as JG said, they don’t believe in Christmas, but she would sure take that check, then get upset if we didn’t get the day before & after off..
Neeless to say, she no longer works here, because she called in sick 17 days within a 2 month time & not one time did she bring in a Drs. note..
By Jesse's Girl
December 8, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Sounds like she was just a rotten person…..every religion has those! My only beef is how their children are made to feel badly….they have to sit in the hall while parties happen…or the office. I agree with MJG…they need their own school. One that can better cater to their special needs. I think their children would thrive in that environment. Political correctness has indeed gone too damn far.
By Becky
December 8, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Amen,Jesse’s girl..
By Penguinmom
December 8, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
So far, my 2 oldest kids do well in productions. The oldest even performed as the Major General in a production of the Pirates of Penzance. Middle child has done a few little school things and doesn’t seem to have any problems.
Our youngest is a very active boy so I’m not really sure how he’s going to do. So far, he’s only done very short songs at church. This involves ringing colored bells that match a card the teacher is holding up and singing. The bells /cards tend to keep most of the kids’ attention.
At our church, the only problem I have with kids’ productions is that we can NEVER hear the kids. They mike the adults or have a song track with children’s voices playing or play the music WAY too loud. This past Sunday, my daughter was on stage and the adult’s mike went out. It was Wonderful!! We actually could hear the sweet little voices to some extent. I can’t seem to get the children’s people to understand that we don’t care if the song sounds professional, we just want to hear our actual children.
By chchmom
December 8, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
I usually troll on here, but had to add my 2 cents to this one. Pre-school graduation had my son laughing LOUDLY into the microphone during his solo speaking part and it keeps on going now that he’s 9! Just this weekend we had a Christmas program at our church and we had to have bowls of marshmallows to keep our “sheep” and “donkey’s” from grazing all over the stage, our Wise Men - who were termed the “Wild Men” had to link arms so that they wouldn’t wander away and Joseph (mine) was making dramatic faces and ran off the Wise Men from the stable. It’s been my experience that there is always at least one “ham” and our church is blessed with somewhere around 20! Makes for lively children’s performances!
By TaraKaye
December 8, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
My mom has taught preschool for many, many years. She’s always telling embarrassed parents whose kids act up at pagents: “Please don’t be embarrassed. Their little antics and ‘extras’ make the show fun!” She never understood why parents got upset over what she thought was the best part of the show!
By new mom
December 8, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait till our little one will be old enough to participate in our church’s programs…Even though we’ve always enjoyed them, it was difficult to watch sometimes when we were struggling to have a little one of our own. We are so thankful for her, and to God for her!
Not to belabor the point, but I do think the ‘don’t mention the word Christmas’ has really gotten out of hand. It is what it is, and to pretend that we are celebrating a ‘holiday’ but not mention what holiday it is, is just silly. I always hear our Jewish friends say they are NOT offended when they are wished a merry Christmas—it’s still a well-meaning wish.
I was listening to some Christmas music via our satellite dish, and realized the station was called “holiday music”. Well, all the music was Christmas music! what other holiday are they referring to? I didn’t hear any Hannakuah, Kwanza, or Winter Solstice music on it. OK, maybe winter wonderland…
By My Own Girl
December 8, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
You know what is amazing to me? I see articles/blogs like this and yet my nephew was died in a tragic car accident Friday night and other than the family place obituary, I can’t find a single thing on this horrible event anywhere in this paper.
By Jesse's Girl
December 8, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Myowngirl….I am truly sorry for your loss. But just because this event is not in the news, in no way makes his life and death less meaningful. My God-brother’s passing wasn’t in the news. My best friend from childhood’s death was not either.
By new mom
December 8, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
My own girl, I am so sorry for your loss too. How tragic, especially so close to Christmas. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I also don’t understand why some accidents make the news and others don’t. Just haven’t figured that out yet…
By JJ
December 8, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
My Own Girl I too am sorry for your loss. It is horrible to lose a family member, even harder this time of year.
How old was your nephew? Where did the accident happen?
I’m so sorry.
By LM
December 8, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
My daughter hated it when I showed up for one of her performances. I was not allowed to look at her, or acknowledge her in any way. Once I made the mistake of waving to a friend of hers. After the performance she was so upset with me she would not talk to me the rest of the night. She liked to perform, just never wanted attention. I sure do miss those days. But loved reading your stories.
New Mom
Off Topic, but thought I’d add to your chocolate cake receipe. I make mine as triple death. Same as your but add a container of sour cream to the batter, and like yours cook for 55 min or until done in center. Then make a buttercream receipe but add 3 squares of melted bittersweet chocolate (it makes a difference), then to make it really hurt, I heat up a pint of heavy whipping cream until boiling, reduce heat and pour in a bag of semisweet chips, stir until melted and let cool, pour over the frosted chocolate cake and let it dribble down the edges.
By new mom
December 8, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Good gracious LM, that does sound delightful! I think my arteries hardened just reading about it….yum! I will have to add that sometime, when I’m not feeling lazy ;)
My own girl, was your nephew from Grayson? I read about that accident, but I had to do some searching though. It is so sad when a teenager or young adult passes away. We had a girl who came to our church’s youth group who died several years in an accident…So many people mourn the passing of a young person.
I pray that you and your family will eventually heal, and will be able to find ways to honor and remember him.
By lakerat
December 8, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Hey chchmom nobody cares about your misguided mindless closed minded Bulls%$T. Go sell crazy somplace else.
I am so much better than church people.
BTW two of the biggest wastes of time in this world are worrying and praying….
I rule!!!!
By JJ
December 8, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
TROLL ALERT TROLL ALERT - NO ONE FEED LAKERAT.
By jct
December 8, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks for sharing this story Theresa, I am laughing so hard that I have tears in my eyes. Your Walsh reminds me of my nephew when he was that age.
My family is Jehovah Witness so I can clear up the myths that have been put out there today:
My mother and I argue this point today. Public school means your kids are going to be exposed to things you may not like. Move them to private school if you want to control every holiday.
That being said, there are crazy people in every religion. I try to live and let live.
By jct
December 8, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
@MyOwnGirl
I am sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
By DB
December 8, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
I have to say it, at this time of year, I am particularly glad that my children went/are going to a private school that celebrates Christmas with unabashed glee and joy. Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas carols, Christmas concerts, Christmas boxes for the underprivileged — nope, no “winter holiday concert” euphamisms for us! It particularly irritates me when a tree is P.C. called “a holiday tree” — hello? It’s a freakin’ CHRISTMAS TREE — they wouldn’t have a tree if it wasn’t Christmas, duh! We don’t call a menorah a “holiday candle”, now, do we? Noooo, that would be disrespectful. But to call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree — ooooh! How rude! (dripping sarcasm, here)
(On the soapbox:) I get so darn tired of having to be tolerant of everyone else, and yet no one seems to be obligated to be tolerant of Christians. Personally, I believe there are many paths to God, and I’m pretty sure there isn’t one particular religion that has a lock on Him. Christianity happens to fit my world view, so that’s what I’m going with. You may embrace whatever you see fit — as long as my right to practice my religion doesn’t interfere with YOUR right to practice YOUR religion, then we should be good. I remember being alternately amused and horrified at my daughter’s Montessori preschool’s “Winter Festival” where they introduced “This Little Light of Mine” as a “paen to the Sun”! (it was written that way in the program . . ) I half-jokingly told the director later that using a Christian hymn/ballad as a pagan tribute was certainly original. (Off the soapbox.)
By Theresa
December 8, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
ChChmom - I’m so glad you commented today! We are very happy to have you one and I love your story! Theyhad to link arms — and hte Wild Men — that’s funny stuff!!
My Own Girl — I am so sorry about your nephew. I’ll be thinking about your family!
By Becky
December 8, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
My Own Girl, sorry for your loss..jct, so this coworker had a blood transfusion, so where does that put her? She also was disavowed(?) when she came to work with my company & maybe like 6 months after she was reinstated, she was disavowed again.. Not sure if I used the right wording on that..
I agree that there are crazy people in every religion, but I’ve never seen as many try to change people as JW..Or again, it might have just been this girl, because she spent 2 years trying to get everyone here to change to JW..
By Michael'sMom
December 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to send a note out to all the “professional” mom and dad’s… My son was in a church Thanksgiving Program and I was in a meeting, that lasted longer than it should have, and arrived within 10 minutes of the show being over! I made a promise to never allow anything to get in the way of this special time! Be sure to get there on time! Your children will notice!
By jct
December 8, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
@Becky
You are disfellowshipped or disassociated.
Disfellowshipped are folks who have been baptized. You can be reinstated if you are repentive enough. Blah, blah, blah.
Disassociated is for folks who are members but not yet baptized. You can get back with the same stuff as above. (My mother has stated that they don’t do this anymore. Trying to get my back on the fold. As if!)
I was disassociated when I was 14. JW’s are a shunning religion. It’s so funny that this is the topic. I was on vacation in my hometown last week in the northeast. I ran into a JW that I knew since childhood. Of course I said ‘hi.’ She ran out of that pizza joint so fast that I don’t think she could hear my laughing. Twenty four years later and she still won’t speak to me…
By Jesse's Girl
December 8, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
@JCT…..thank you for that!
@DB…I could not agree with you more! No one thinks twice about stepping on Christian toes. Its “Holiday-this” and “Holiday-that”. I bet we will NEVER see the day when a Christian walks into a Hebrew/Muslim/ Buddist school and demands that the majority rule traditions be nixed to suit them! I am all for diversity in all its glory and splendor. All of it will make my childrens’ lives richer and fuller. But if I see one more child cry because they had to sit in the hallway or stay away from a school related outing….I am going to scream! Its just not right.
By LM
December 8, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
jct
You were disassociated at 14? 24 years later you a member may not speak with you, Wow! And I thought Catholic were rough.
By jct
December 8, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Not a big deal. I make sure that my stepson is exposed to many religious and cultural experiences. He will need to make his own choices on what holiday he observes and more importantly how he will observe the holiday.
By J and C mom
December 8, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Boy these comments always get so off topic! My daughter’s public middle school chorus is singing several “Christmas” songs this year. I was glad and surprised that the director wasn’t worried about “holiday police” complaining.
And with regard to performances, my girls do ballet and have for seven years. They have grown from the precocious child on stage to the truly beautiful perfomer that I cannot believe is my child. I will never tire of watching them.
By JeremiahWright
December 8, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Will they actually mention the word “Christmas”? Will they actually sing “Christmas” songs? You better insist on it, or we’ll go the way of Washington state with the atheist hate sign next to teh nativity scene.
By motherjanegoose
December 8, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
my own girl…I am so sorry for your loss!
nurse and mother…while Episcopalians are more likely to hang on to the Christian traditions ( I taught in a school in Texas) ..their schools are not exempt from those who want to change things.
I had a friend in a Methodist Church preschool with parents of the Jehovah’s Witness faith who are complaining about the fact that she has birthday parties in her class of 5 year olds.
I also work with a Presbyterian Preschool and the Director told me they had ( a different faith) who wanted to send their children to the school but had “a problem with the chapel service being Christian” and could their child sit in the office during chapel. Hoorah…the director said NO.
For the record and with all due respect, if I enrolled my child in a Jewish school I would know that the religious emphasis would be on Jewish customs.
I know this is a bit off topic but for those of you in public school, all of the cute programs Theresa is mentioning will be gone as quick as you can say HAPPY HOLIDAYS unless some of you take a stand. I have done my part and said my piece to many but I cannot carry the torch alone. I have one left in school and on her way to college soon. So pack away those Valentine’s and Easter Bunnies as you will not be using them at public school!
Jesse’s Girl…you are on the money for those poor children who fear eating a cookie and being reprimanded at home. This is ridiculous!
I appreciate JCT being honest and giving us the total scoop.
J and C mom…are you a new poster? Maybe I missed you and I agree that it is wonderful when your child finds a nitch in the performance world. FYI…this blog welcomes any opinions ( both on topic and off…like the yummy cakes that were share by several last week in the present discussion) and while I may have diverted ideas in a new direction, the topic is at hand and anyone who wants to stick to the real topic is welcome to comment or reel it back in…LOL. So far, I have never received a mean e-mail from Theresa.
Micheal’s MOM…amen…please parents make time to attend school functions…your child is craning his neck to see you and his face tells it all when he cannot…send Grandma if you cannot be there!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I DO HAVE AN ANGEL ON MY TREE…HAHAHA! BUT I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN A HANNUKAH SONG FOR MY JEWISH FRIENDS WHOM I WORKED WITH IN MEMPHIS!
By Becky
December 8, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
jct, thanks for that info..I always thought that it was so funny that this girl lived at home with her Grandmother & wasn’t allowed to talk to her during this time..
I think it’s great what you are doing for your stepson..Now adays there are some many people that are offended by other religions & we shouldn’t be..To each their own & if it makes you happy, that’s good..Like I said before, this girl just lied (a lot) and twisted things to always try to make her in the right..She had had a very rough childhood & so we always just kinda overlooked a lot of what she said & did..
By MILF Hunter
December 8, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Tis the season for MILF hunting….WOO HOO!!!!!!
By FCM
December 8, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
I went to a (Episcopal) Private School….SEVERAL of my classmates spoke openly about Hebrew school and their upcoming bat/bar mitvahs. They sat quietly during chapel (including the longer Euchrist services), stood when we did but did not kneel for prayer, did not recite the Creeds, and obviously did not partake of Communion. I cannot imagine sending a child of another faith to an obviously faith oriented school and then complaining when they do faith based activities!!
As to my own experiences with children’s plays. My 2 were supposed to sing with the children’s choir last night. One actually did.
The other proceeded to list a litney of reasons of why we should go home to watch tv. They proceeded to cry and act up. My father (who is doing better) sat in the Narthex with said child for the whole service. My Mother and I enjoyed watching the ‘other’ child sing. We also enjoyed watching the children do the hanging of the greens…it brought back memories of me doing the same in that same Sanctuary.
Next Sunday they are supposed to sing at both services….Maybe I will get to see both do that. :o)
By deidre_NC
December 8, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
ok we can all say happpy holidays—dont people realize that holidays comes from holy days?? hello??? im with you JG—enough catering to other religions..i wonder if its just plain and simple fear that parents are afraid that their kids may actually question what they are taught? the bible says to question..to make sure..i think that something kept strictly away from a kid-whether it is religion or video games or tv-will just make them more curios and want that forbidden thing even more..can we remember the apple???
yes we do get off topic..that is because there are intelligent thinking people here..we like conversation lol..
happy holidays everyone—and merry christmas to all
By FCM
December 9, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Wooten (I think) had a great column around the holidays in 2002(?). I cut it from the paper and pinned it on my desk.
It was about the court ruling that some things (Santa, Candy Canes, Reindeer) are not religious icons, but secular and therefore ok to display and use as general purpose deocorations of this season for public buildings without offense.
Menorah, Creche, etc are religious relics. As such they were only to be displayed in/on private land (your home/church) so as to not offend.
Wooten thought (tounge in cheek I am sure) we should put a Candy Cane in the grasping hand of the Baby Jesus (and presumably we use candy cane candles in the Menorah)…so that we could stop the Season’s Greetings crap and get back to freedom from religious persecution.
I have no issue with the JW teling THEIR KID not to celebrate a birthday/holiday. I do have a problem with them telling MY KID they can’t.
My children are both proud to be Christian. They speak openly about God/Jesus even in the classroom. I have yet to have a teacher/administrator tell me they have to stop….(I have to admit I am looking forward to that fight!) I am reminded “And a little child shall lead them.”
(Does that mean my children are right and the children of other faith are wrong…NO!….It means that are children are not hung up about it so why are we?)