Grinches working overtime in schools

The war on Christmas continues to rage in America's public schools, but so does the counteroffensive.

In Mine Hill, N.J., elementary school officials changed the title and words to "Silent Night" in its "X-mas Files" concert program. They are also accused of forbidding students from writing "Merry Christmas" in class in English – only the Spanish translation of Feliz Navidad was permitted, according to parents. Students were encouraged to bring in music selections, but cautioned not to choose any "religious" songs.

"Silent night, holy night" was changed to "Silent night, winter night" by the officials at the Mine Hill Canfield Avenue School, according to an attorney from the Alliance Defense Fund, which is challenging the action.

An attorney form the group sent a letter to the superintendent of the school on behalf of a parent concerned about the apparent censorship of Christmas occurring there year after year. Copies were also sent to the assistant principal, the president of the school's board of education and six board members.

"It's remarkable that we even have to debate whether or not it's okay to celebrate Christmas at school," said ADF-allied attorney Demetrios Stratis. "The Constitution does not require government officials to expunge religious observances and expression from public schools. The common perception by many school officials that such expression violates the law is simply in error."

Stratis explained the Supreme Court has never ruled that saying "Merry Christmas" or having a merry Christmas is illegal.

"Christmas cards, cookies, presents, carols, colors, trees, lights, or wreaths are all acceptable in public schools under the law," he said.

School officials refused to accept delivery of Stratis' letter.

"It seems that these school officials are behaving as though they answer to no one," said Stratis. "Apparently they have forgotten that they are in fact public servants, accountable to the people of this community. It's a sad day in America when a public-school parent needs to retain a lawyer in order to ensure his child can participate in a Christmas concert without confronting official censorship."

As part of ADF's Christmas Project, ADF-allied attorneys have contacted more than 11,000 school districts nationwide so far this year to inform them of the truth regarding religious expression at Christmastime.

ADF is a legal alliance defending what is calls "America's first liberty – religious freedom" – through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.

Meanwhile, another ADF attorney has asked for the reversal of a ban on religious symbolism and references to Christmas at a Colorado elementary school.

"It's sad that we even have to discuss whether it's OK to use religious language and symbolism related to Christmas in an elementary school," said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. "Many schools are simply not aware of what the law truly says about public religious expression at Christmastime. This is a particularly egregious example of political correctness outweighing common sense."

Heritage Elementary School officials prohibited a student from bringing a Nativity scene to school and from sharing the Christmas story, banned candy canes bearing a legendary story about their religious symbolism, and outlawed cookies in the shape of traditional Christmas symbols. Teachers and students are also not allowed to refer to school gatherings as "Christmas" parties.

According to reports ADF has received from parents, Heritage Elementary School officials have warned students, parents, and teachers that all forms of religious expression will not be tolerated.

"Banning religious aspects of a federal holiday is not necessary under the Constitution, and it shows hostility towards the majority of the population who celebrate the holiday. According to a recent poll, 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas," Johnson said.

Meanwhile, according to another religious freedom activist, teachers in a Texas public school teachers were informed that they could not mention the word "Christmas" or tell the historical nativity story because someone in the district might sue.

"All other secular customs of the 'winter holiday' were deemed to be OK, just not the religious symbols of Christianity," said John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute. "Teaching these lessons to children, who are the nation's future leaders, does not bode well for America and the future of our religious freedoms."

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