MCPS Removes Religious Holiday Designations from School Calendar

[Anonymous]

I dont get all the hoopla. In the bigger picture the decision makes sense. You put Muslim holiday on calendar, than two years down the roda hindus will want their holiday, another year wiccans will want Solstice celebrated too...
MCPS is SECULAR schools system in SECULAR country, why should they mark the holidays of any religion?
If it is important for your family, take an EXUCESED abscense and move on.

[Anonymous]

There are many Jewish teachers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And we now call our office holiday party the "end of the year party" to appease the lone atheist Wiccan. But the party is coordinated by a group of older AA women who decorate with traditional Christmas decor, so it's all good.

No such thing as an atheist Wiccan. Wicca is a religion.

You don't think atheism is a relgion? You need to look closer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And we now call our office holiday party the "end of the year party" to appease the lone atheist Wiccan. But the party is coordinated by a group of older AA women who decorate with traditional Christmas decor, so it's all good.

No such thing as an atheist Wiccan. Wicca is a religion.

You don't think atheism is a relgion? You need to look closer.

There wouldn't be such a thing as an atheist Wiccan even if atheism were a religion. It would be like a being a Christian Muslim, or a Hindu Zoroastrian.

But if you think that atheism is a religion, then it shouldn't be a problem for you to explain the atheists' beliefs, ceremonies, and rules for worshipping -- well, who? Richard Dawkins?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dare we encourage our students to work within the system to advocate for change and have their voices be heard! How dare they! This is the sign of a failing school system, clearly!


[/sarcasm]

A change was made-yet they are still not pleased with the outcome. Next they will want times set aside to pray, and the school gym floor the designated prayer area, and a loud "bullhorn" to call to prayer! We cannot make a concession in a "public" school for every person who wants one-I am sure there are private school options to accomodate their requests!

I think you know that the decision will now unnecessarily lead to blame toward the Muslim community. That's why they're unhappy.

It would've been one thing if they just said, "Sorry, you don't have the numbers to legitimize a day off." Taking away the labels for the Jewish and Christian holidays as a result of the Muslims' initial request makes the Muslims seem responsible (as the initial title of this thread suggested), which they are not. They are understandably unhappy with the decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The county did the right thing. The Moslem groups were being unreasonable. No significant number of students and staff were taking the Eid holiday off (which is their right to do anyway). The Moslems just wanted to make a political point and get "recognition" and "respect" for their religious holiday, but recognizing religion is not the business of American public schools. Who would be next? Wiccans? Hare Krishnas? Schools only care when a significant number miss the day. Lots of Christian, Hindu and Jewish holidays were not on the calendar either (Divali, anybody? Sukkot? Greek Orthodox Christmas? Navruz? Kwaanza?) because not a lot of people take those off. No one complained. A small noisy group of Moslems tried to raise the profile of their minority and now all religious names are off the calendar. Fine by me.

Kwanza isn't a religious holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dare we encourage our students to work within the system to advocate for change and have their voices be heard! How dare they! This is the sign of a failing school system, clearly!


[/sarcasm]

A change was made-yet they are still not pleased with the outcome. Next they will want times set aside to pray, and the school gym floor the designated prayer area, and a loud "bullhorn" to call to prayer! We cannot make a concession in a "public" school for every person who wants one-I am sure there are private school options to accomodate their requests!

Well, haven't you read about grocery stores that are terminating the sale of bacon because Muslims find it offensive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And we now call our office holiday party the "end of the year party" to appease the lone atheist Wiccan. But the party is coordinated by a group of older AA women who decorate with traditional Christmas decor, so it's all good.

No such thing as an atheist Wiccan. Wicca is a religion.

You don't think atheism is a relgion? You need to look closer.

There wouldn't be such a thing as an atheist Wiccan even if atheism were a religion. It would be like a being a Christian Muslim, or a Hindu Zoroastrian.

But if you think that atheism is a religion, then it shouldn't be a problem for you to explain the atheists' beliefs, ceremonies, and rules for worshipping -- well, who? Richard Dawkins?

I agree with what you are saying… the point I did a poor job of making is that our father’s atheism is not what it is today. The Atheist movement has little to do with not believing in God and more to do with militant zealot anti-Christian bigots who attack Christianity with a religious fervor. They are not looking for equality, they are looking to erase religion, and mostly Christianity, from the world. It's more of a secular cult that pushes the secular progressive ideology and has full faith that that ideology is the cure of all evils blind to the evil it manifests.

[Anonymous]

So, should the Christians, Jews, and Muslims get together and protest the Board's decision?

I'm actually serious.

[Anonymous]

Couldn't care less about this, but...

I found it helpful when Easter Monday was listed so I knew if spring break was before or after Easter. Obviously I can consult a real calendar for that. Ditto for the Jewish holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, should the Christians, Jews, and Muslims get together and protest the Board's decision?

I'm actually serious.

No, the Muslims will get together and blow up the schools.

[Anonymous]

Muslims have a right to advocate for a day off but MCPS should have simply said yes or no. Why do they have to go through all this other nonsense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Muslims have a right to advocate for a day off but MCPS should have simply said yes or no. Why do they have to go through all this other nonsense?

There is no reason for the school calendar to mention religious holidays. The School board realized this once this other issue was raised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Muslims have a right to advocate for a day off but MCPS should have simply said yes or no. Why do they have to go through all this other nonsense?

There is no reason for the school calendar to mention religious holidays. The School board realized this once this other issue was raised.

Why? Plenty of religious people in the county, the days off from school are for religious reasons, its perfectly reasonable to list the holidays on the school calendar, censorship is not needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, should the Christians, Jews, and Muslims get together and protest the Board's decision?

I'm actually serious.

No, the Muslims will get together and blow up the schools.

Thanks for that.

I'm the PP you quoted and I'm Muslim.