Parents Say Christmas Carols 'Form Of Bullying"

[Tinky]

A group of parents at Chief Charlo Elementary School are so upset over the selection of songs for the school’s holiday music program they are considering legal counsel.

The parents outlined their concerns in a letter sent to the superintendent of the Missoula County Public Schools district, stating, among many issues, they feel the programming is unfair, unconstitutional and is a form of bullying.

“With many of the children in our neighborhood up here being Jewish and Buddhist, as well as a few Muslim and atheist students, we were assured that this year it would be a secular program,” said the letter, which was signed by “concerned parents” but listed no individual names.

“One of the largest complaints last year were the young children singing about ‘their lord.’ This was concerning to many families and it was clear that several of the students were uncomfortable.”

The letter went on to say: “We have no problem with it being called a Christmas concert, it’s just the fact the material should be secular. Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. These are things that offend no one, but when the children are singing about their lord and savior, Jesus Christ ... public school is not the place.”

When contacted for more information about the matter, two of the concerned parents said they did not want to publicly share their names, as they were concerned about their children and families being further ostracized or singled out.

School administrators explained that they take such matters very seriously and work hard to create an inclusive school environment.

http://missoulian.co...1a4bcf887a.html

[LOVE SONGS]

I just don't understand it.

They can protest their rights to observe their religious holidays.

Why can't we ?

If it offends any person of another religion... the parent should send a note to the school saying,

they do not want their child participating in the event.

That I think could solve the problems arrising in the schools today about religion.

[GoldenEagle]

Question for those better versed in U.S. Law: Is it legal to sing or speak of Jesus Christ in schools?

[Sevenseas]

The letter went on to say: “We have no problem with it being called a Christmas concert,

Christ-mas(s)...they may need to rethink that one....... I hope they get coal in their stockings this year

[LOVE SONGS]

I just don't understand it.

They can protest their rights to observe their religious holidays.

Why can't we ?

If it offends any person of another religion... the parent should send a note to the school saying,

they do not want their child participating in the event.

That I think could solve the problems arrising in the schools today about religion.

What I also mean is that they should not call it bullying .

They can send each a note to the teacher stating they don't want their child to participate.

I am sure that teachers in school are well aware of the fact how people want their rights these days,

especially when it comes to religion.

[ayin jade]

I would like to know if they teach islam in that school. Many schools teach about islamic religion yet demand no Christian religion be there. Is the school treating every religion equally?

[JustinM]

So, using an attorney and the courts to force a school to change it's policy is not bullying? Hard to sympathize with these people.