Dr. E.C. Fulcher, Jr.

Freddie Hatfield

I read Charlene Mayo’s article (“Children can handle the Truth about Christmas, it’s the adults who CAN’T!”) with great interest.  Much as the article discussed what children endure in schools during Christmas. As a paraeducator in the public school system, I would like to give my perspective on the subject. 

You would think that in public school’s religious celebrations would be discouraged if not outright forbidden to uphold a separation of church and state.  This is far from what is practiced.  Everything that happens in most workplaces happens in schools as well:  the Christmas trees, the gifts exchanges, the parties (which sometimes they will claim they aren’t “Christmas parties” despite all evidence the contrary) as well as everything else that goes on during the holiday season.  However, from what I have seen it’s taken to even further to extremes in schools.  Some possible reasons for this are the fact that we are dealing with children and many of the teachers and staff have children themselves.

I have not had too much difficulty with co-workers or students when explaining my stance on Christmas.  There have been exceptions, however.  Again, this is not unique to public schools as it happens in most businesses and professions.  Most times they (both students and co-workers) simply ask the reason why and are satisfied with a short version of the truth.  There have been times when it was difficult to explain to a student who has special needs (whom, as a paraeducator I work with much of the time), but even they are few and far between.  In 21 years, I’ve only had two students (both of which were special needs students) who had a hard time understanding why I didn’t celebrate Christmas. 

I have seen one significant change this year in the way teachers are handling Christmas.   Many teachers I work with have recently acknowledged that not everyone celebrates Christmas.  It is usually noted in a dialogue like the following: “Now, I know not everyone here celebrates Christmas, and if you don’t you don’t have to participate/stay in class”.  I have come to find out that it not because I was in the class, but because there are students (and more than one or two) who also don’t celebrate Christmas and don’t want it in the classrooms.  One particular complaint was that there was a candle or air freshener being burnt with a “Christmas scent”, and the teacher was asked not to burn that candle again.

This new practice is most likely a result of living in an age where everyone is afraid to offend someone else.  Normally I am not in favor of such, but at least there is some good that come out of it!  While no one should have their rights to religious freedom infringed, it shouldn’t be forced upon someone in a public setting.  The overall point I want to make, however, is that while those who don’t celebrate Christmas may be in the minority, the fact remains that not everyone does, and that includes children.  Personally, on a small scale it doesn’t bother me.  If it gets to be too much, I will excuse myself from the class, and have done so.

In conclusion, I am happy to see children who are strong enough to stand for their religious principles.  They need to be reminded that they are the ones who are right and the others who are wrong:  not only about Christmas, but about their right to not have to participate. There are many people who don’t celebrate Christmas.  Its not just those of Truth House Ministry who are not afraid to stand up for the truth about Christmas.