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My kids' Winter Celebration

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My son just brought a note home from his 5th grade classroom asking parents to bring treats to share at their “celebration of the winter season.” When I was a kid we called it a Christmas party.

He says they don’t call it a Christmas party because that offends a few of the people. I’m offended that they don’t call it a Christmas party. Perhaps the school is trying to teach about tyrannies of the minority, but somehow I doubt that. I also find it amusing that in the process of trying to find a politically-correct name for their replacement of Christmas they chose a name similar to that of a pagan celebration.

Simon
December 8, 2005 4:10 AM

And one that isn't globaly applicable at this festive time of year. S.

Richard Schwartz
December 8, 2005 5:04 AM

You say you're offended? Go ahead and be offended. Go ahead and be offended by people deciding that having an inclusive party is not just the right thing to to do, it is also more in keeping with the real spirit of Christmas and Christianity to be inclusive. It won't reflect all that well on you, but it's your right to be offended by whatever you want. Your son, however, is subtly wrong. There isn't a minority that will be offended if they _call_ it a Christmas party. There is a minority that will be offended if it _is_ a Christmas party that excludes those who don't celebrate Christmas but are required to be there because it's their school. And if it's really going to be an inclusive party that allows all to celebrate together regardless of their beliefs, then why call it something that it isn't? What reason other than to give the Christian majority an ego boost at the expense of everyone else? -rhs

Jemaleddin
December 8, 2005 8:37 AM

I can see why you're so offended - I mean, it's a Christmas celebration, right? They're going to celebrate Christ and all, right? You know, with some hymns and a sermon? They'll talk about Herod and the wise men and virgin birth and Mary and Joseph and angels and the holy spirit... Oh, what? They're just going to sing about sleighing and eat cookies? Oh. What does that have to do with Christmas? That sounds more like a winter celebration to me. What are you so up in arms about? Can you tell that I'm sick to death of Xtians bitching about how Xmas isn't Xmas-y enough? I'm sorry you're so deeply offended, but please keep your imaginary friends out of my kid's parties, thank you very much.

Eugene
December 9, 2005 1:19 PM

What can kid know in religion? I think that the names which were given in school for this is nothing cause it's not changing the main idea of such parties - to amuse kids and no more deeper idea in them could be found.

This discussion has been closed.

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