California Family Minute

December 12, 2011

No Room in the Classroom

by Rebecca Burgoyne, 
CFC Research Analyst

Two thousand years ago, a historic baby was born in Bethlehem, lovingly wrapped in cloths and placed in an animal’s manger, because there was no room at the inn. Today, there is no room for even mention of that baby’s birth in the public classroom. In the name of secularism and a misplaced sensitivity not to offend anyone, absolute values and beliefs must be mocked, rejected, and pushed to the edges of society, as they run contrary to the accepted doctrine of relativism.  

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown and first lady Anne Gust Brown joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in lighting a 40-foot white fir Christmas tree; but in Rhode Island, Gov. Lincoln Chafee insisted on calling his statehouse tree a “holiday tree” to keep government and religion separate. A Christmas tree is a symbol of Christmas – not the holiday season – and it is a secular (not a religious) symbol. This time of year may be the holiday season, but 90 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas and most prefer to be wished “Merry Christmas.” 

Earlier this month, Stockton’s Lincoln School District set off a national media firestorm when – in the name of tolerance and diversity – teachers at Claudia Landeen Elementary School received a memo defining acceptable Christmas decorations. Snowmen and snowflakes were “safe,” but Santa, poinsettias, and Christmas trees were not allowed. Superintendent Tom Uslan later backpedaled, saying, “well-intentioned people may take a step that’s incongruous with district expectations. That’s been corrected.” In other words, apparently, Landeen’s administration overstepped, and Santas, poinsettias, and Christmas trees will be allowed. 

Confusion reigns in many schools, as Americans who want to openly celebrate this joyous time of year struggle with what is (and what is not) allowed. Add to that, a concerted movement by a handful of Scrooges disenchanted with Christmas, and schools become a hotbed of Christmas confusion.

The misunderstanding is with the Establishment Clause – the first part of the First Amendment –which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.” This was meant to limit government from establishing a state religion, to make government neutral on matters of religion – not to limit the beliefs and faith of Americans. In fact, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitution mandates “accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions, and forbids hostility toward any.” 

Not only are secular decorations allowed in schools and public places, but the Supreme Court has also allowed religious symbols, such as nativities, if there is an educational purpose or it is displayed for a secular reason, like celebrating the holiday or illustrating the origins of the holiday. 

Historically, students and teachers across America openly celebrated Christmas, singing traditional carols, decorating classrooms, and having Christmas parties, but in recent years a vocal minority – either intentionally or through misunderstanding – has pushed Christmas into the closet. Unless Christians decide to become informed and proactive, holidays like Christmas will fade, drawing back behind closed doors. We’ve made room for Christmas in our hearts, let’s welcome Christmas into our children’s schools.