s/o Christmas and religion

[katfco]

As I mentioned in the UO, I was a sub for a music teacher today, and they were starting working on their Christmas program. There were a few of the traditional secular songs--Deck the halls (complete with 4th graders giggling about "gay apparel"), We wish you a merry Christmas (ever tried to explain figgy pudding to a 1st grader?). I wasn't overly surprised that there were a couple religious-ish songs, but one really surprised me at just how overtly religious it was. 

A sample (periods because obviously I do not want a google search to bring this thread up):

"Je.sus b.orn in l.owly stall; with His g.race re.deems us all"

and three times, the phrase "Praise H.im, Ch.rist our S.avior." 

Silent Night it ain't. I told the teacher we didn't have time for that one (which was mostly true, but I wasn't about to teach that one anyway).

[imimahoney]

Yeah that would never fly in my school. The Winter Concert is basically Christmas like songs with out any mention of religion, some Chanukah songs and other random tunes about winter.

[formerlyllizzyb]

That is really interesting. I'm surprised.

[Deleted]

Interesting. When I was younger we didn't even sing that religious of songs. We also had a variety of songs, Christian, Winter and Jewish and this was the 90's in conservative Kansas.

[katfco]

A little bit wouldn't surprise me. When I was a kid, we sang a mix also--Christian and Jewish (at least, Jewish themed, I have no idea if the dreidel song really is a Jewish song) and solely secular, but none this blatantly specific.

Then again, it was in a small-town school.

[Beener]

Yeah I'm not a fan of this is a public school. That is unless they also have songs representing other non-Christian religious holidays. If I were a choir teacher, I would stick to Rudolf and Frosty.

[bigapple]

Definitely not okay with that in public school. Good for you for running out of time.

I don't think I have to worry too much because C's preschool has a dreidel clip art on the calendar but no tree.

[alicia45]

I can see this happening in my area because we live in the Bible Belt and it's mostly Baptist around here. I still would raise an eyebrow though because public schools should stick to winter theme songs, not religious songs.

[DesertMoon]

It wouldn't bother me. Neither would jewish songs or pagan songs. It's a holiday, that's what he holiday is about. I know some parents don't like it though, so I probably wouldn't play it just to appease families.

[dixeedeluxe]

I'd think the teacher has an agenda and privately share my family's beliefs. O really do not think it's OK for teachers to have an independent agenda.

Unless it is a religious school, obviously.

[shevacc]

That seems so unfair to make all the kids sing such a blatantly religious song under the guise of the Winter (Christmas) Concert. I get that most people might be Christian in the small town but for those that are not or are non religious it's alienating for no good reason.

[katfco]

Oct 23, 2014 20:19:14 GMT -5 DesertMoon said:

It wouldn't bother me. Neither would jewish songs or pagan songs. It's a holiday, that's what he holiday is about. I know some parents don't like it though, so I probably wouldn't play it just to appease families.

Basic religious songs wouldn't bother me too much, but asking kids to sing about Christ as their savior? Seems to go beyond the acceptable zone. 

[Deleted]

Oct 24, 2014 4:58:32 GMT -5 katfco said:

Oct 23, 2014 20:19:14 GMT -5 DesertMoon said:

It wouldn't bother me. Neither would jewish songs or pagan songs. It's a holiday, that's what he holiday is about. I know some parents don't like it though, so I probably wouldn't play it just to appease families.

Basic religious songs wouldn't bother me too much, but asking kids to sing about Christ as their savior? Seems to go beyond the acceptable zone. 

If that is your rule then lots and lots of spirituals are out.

[badgermom]

At the elementary level, I think it is inappropriate. A lot of higher level choral music is religious, so I'd give more wiggle room in high school. For a children's winter concert in a public school...not ok.
I was the only Jewish kid in my small town and I distinctly remember skipping the word Jesus in the super religious songs we would sing for our winter concerts. I'd belt out the rest and just skip Jesus. In my 7/8 year old mind, that totally worked! Makes me laugh now.

[The Foozzler]

That would not fly in my school. We do a winter song along. Frosty, Sleighride, jingle bells, walking in a winter wonderland, etc.

No religion at all.