FCPS schools hosting religious events?

[Anonymous]

I am fine with them allowing the religious celebration as long as it’s outside of school hours and they will allow all other religions to do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the event is voluntary and outside of normal school hours. What’s the problem?

Bc it looks like fcps is promoting, advertising, and favoring a specific religious group.

+1 I'm another minority religion and find this problematic. It's not like letting a group use the space - this is a school event and even mentions prayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree, people like OP are the ones that have caused the school system to have to shut down anything even remotely religious or cultural and she doesn't even realize it!!

Our school doesn't even do multi-cultural night anymore because of people like OP complaining about religious dances at a multi-cultural event. It's outrageous. Let's celebrate people's culture. Yes, sometimes celebrating someone's culture includes something related to their religion. That's okay! It's also an optional event, it's not like someone is saying "It's Ramadan, nobody in the entire school can eat today, you must come break fast with us after sunset", they're just saying "hey, we are doing this to celebrate the Muslim population in our community and we invite you to join us and learn about our culture".

Would you be okay with FCPs organizing s Passover dinner, along with prayers?

An Easter Sunday celebration?

A lenten fish fry with a room set up for Stations of the Cross or a Rosary?


Our community facebook page changes the banner around for various holidays. They put up a Ramadan banner for around a week. It had a couple of dozen of posts from muslims and non muslims wishing them well.

Then they switched it to a generic Lenten banner for Ash Wednesday, that said something generic like "Pray, Fast, Sacrifice" with no mention of God or Christianity specifically.

The page exploded with outrage over including a banner recognizing a Christian holiday. Dozens of posts appeared almost immediately, upset over the Lenten banner, many specifically saying they were upset that it was recognizing a Christian event. The moderators had to take down the banner over the outrage. It didn't even stay up the full Ash Wednesday.

It was then followed by several additional threads of people upset that a Christian holiday was recognized, even though the Ramadan one had been up for almost a week and tge page always posts a cute generic banner for the various holidays. The mods then posted an egg banner, joking about egg prices being a universal issue, which was followed by people starting threads complaining that eggs are actually a Christian symbol since folks dye eggs at Easter, so the eggs proselytize Christianity.

You can't tell me this area isn't overtly hostile to Christianity, nor that you and others would not be flipping out if FCPS were promoting a Christian or Jewish prayer event.

Nailed it

I seriously doubt this. Please share what "community" this was.

DP- but I think I'm in that group- West Springfield moms? It wasn't that serious though.

Let the school have their celebration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree, people like OP are the ones that have caused the school system to have to shut down anything even remotely religious or cultural and she doesn't even realize it!!

Our school doesn't even do multi-cultural night anymore because of people like OP complaining about religious dances at a multi-cultural event. It's outrageous. Let's celebrate people's culture. Yes, sometimes celebrating someone's culture includes something related to their religion. That's okay! It's also an optional event, it's not like someone is saying "It's Ramadan, nobody in the entire school can eat today, you must come break fast with us after sunset", they're just saying "hey, we are doing this to celebrate the Muslim population in our community and we invite you to join us and learn about our culture".

Would you be okay with FCPs organizing s Passover dinner, along with prayers?

An Easter Sunday celebration?

A lenten fish fry with a room set up for Stations of the Cross or a Rosary?


Our community facebook page changes the banner around for various holidays. They put up a Ramadan banner for around a week. It had a couple of dozen of posts from muslims and non muslims wishing them well.

Then they switched it to a generic Lenten banner for Ash Wednesday, that said something generic like "Pray, Fast, Sacrifice" with no mention of God or Christianity specifically.

The page exploded with outrage over including a banner recognizing a Christian holiday. Dozens of posts appeared almost immediately, upset over the Lenten banner, many specifically saying they were upset that it was recognizing a Christian event. The moderators had to take down the banner over the outrage. It didn't even stay up the full Ash Wednesday.

It was then followed by several additional threads of people upset that a Christian holiday was recognized, even though the Ramadan one had been up for almost a week and tge page always posts a cute generic banner for the various holidays. The mods then posted an egg banner, joking about egg prices being a universal issue, which was followed by people starting threads complaining that eggs are actually a Christian symbol since folks dye eggs at Easter, so the eggs proselytize Christianity.

You can't tell me this area isn't overtly hostile to Christianity, nor that you and others would not be flipping out if FCPS were promoting a Christian or Jewish prayer event.

Nailed it

I seriously doubt this. Please share what "community" this was.

DP- but I think I'm in that group- West Springfield moms? It wasn't that serious though.

Let the school have their celebration.

They deleted most of the comments, and turned off commenting on multiple threads.
The mods were just trying to be kind and welcoming, just like they are towards all the holidays. The outrage over the banner for the one Christian holiday was really shocking and over the top.

Many of the posts made it clear that there was great animosity towards even the most innocuous mentions of Christianity, especially when contrasted with the kind and supportive posts for other holidays, including the Ramadan one that aas up the prior week.

That being said, I don't think it was the muslim parents raising a stink for the most part. I think it was the more politically active "inclusive" left wing posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the millionth time - anyone can rent an FCPS facility. We've seen this post umpteen times about various religious groups, from Christians to Satanists. It's not sponsored or endorsed by the county. It's just a rental. You can rent it too if you want.

I think the complaint is that the invitation came from the school. Not that the event is being held there.

PP and this-exactly this-email invitation should NOT have been sent via FCPS email. Huge no no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree, people like OP are the ones that have caused the school system to have to shut down anything even remotely religious or cultural and she doesn't even realize it!!

Our school doesn't even do multi-cultural night anymore because of people like OP complaining about religious dances at a multi-cultural event. It's outrageous. Let's celebrate people's culture. Yes, sometimes celebrating someone's culture includes something related to their religion. That's okay! It's also an optional event, it's not like someone is saying "It's Ramadan, nobody in the entire school can eat today, you must come break fast with us after sunset", they're just saying "hey, we are doing this to celebrate the Muslim population in our community and we invite you to join us and learn about our culture".

Would you be okay with FCPs organizing s Passover dinner, along with prayers?

An Easter Sunday celebration?

A lenten fish fry with a room set up for Stations of the Cross or a Rosary?


Our community facebook page changes the banner around for various holidays. They put up a Ramadan banner for around a week. It had a couple of dozen of posts from muslims and non muslims wishing them well.

Then they switched it to a generic Lenten banner for Ash Wednesday, that said something generic like "Pray, Fast, Sacrifice" with no mention of God or Christianity specifically.

The page exploded with outrage over including a banner recognizing a Christian holiday. Dozens of posts appeared almost immediately, upset over the Lenten banner, many specifically saying they were upset that it was recognizing a Christian event. The moderators had to take down the banner over the outrage. It didn't even stay up the full Ash Wednesday.

It was then followed by several additional threads of people upset that a Christian holiday was recognized, even though the Ramadan one had been up for almost a week and tge page always posts a cute generic banner for the various holidays. The mods then posted an egg banner, joking about egg prices being a universal issue, which was followed by people starting threads complaining that eggs are actually a Christian symbol since folks dye eggs at Easter, so the eggs proselytize Christianity.

You can't tell me this area isn't overtly hostile to Christianity, nor that you and others would not be flipping out if FCPS were promoting a Christian or Jewish prayer event.

Nailed it

I seriously doubt this. Please share what "community" this was.

DP- but I think I'm in that group- West Springfield moms? It wasn't that serious though.

Let the school have their celebration.

They deleted most of the comments, and turned off commenting on multiple threads.
The mods were just trying to be kind and welcoming, just like they are towards all the holidays. The outrage over the banner for the one Christian holiday was really shocking and over the top.

Many of the posts made it clear that there was great animosity towards even the most innocuous mentions of Christianity, especially when contrasted with the kind and supportive posts for other holidays, including the Ramadan one that aas up the prior week.

That being said, I don't think it was the muslim parents raising a stink for the most part. I think it was the more politically active "inclusive" left wing posters.

Given the centuries of Christian oppression and abuse of other groups and the current role of Christians at the forefront of dismantling our government and freedoms its not exactly surprising there are some big feelings.

[Anonymous]

I think FCPS is trying to be a substitute family to everyone (or certain groups). They should stick with education. Also it seems odd that something that is normally associated with fasting, FCPS is trying to make it be all about feeding people. They don't need to bend over backwards providing Thanksgiving lunch, adding religious holidays to the calendar, and having kids wear pajamas like it's Christmas morning. Let families celebrate these things at home. People lead busy lives. We don't need to be celebrating with a bureaucratic organization pretending it's so inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree, people like OP are the ones that have caused the school system to have to shut down anything even remotely religious or cultural and she doesn't even realize it!!

Our school doesn't even do multi-cultural night anymore because of people like OP complaining about religious dances at a multi-cultural event. It's outrageous. Let's celebrate people's culture. Yes, sometimes celebrating someone's culture includes something related to their religion. That's okay! It's also an optional event, it's not like someone is saying "It's Ramadan, nobody in the entire school can eat today, you must come break fast with us after sunset", they're just saying "hey, we are doing this to celebrate the Muslim population in our community and we invite you to join us and learn about our culture".

Would you be okay with FCPs organizing s Passover dinner, along with prayers?

An Easter Sunday celebration?

A lenten fish fry with a room set up for Stations of the Cross or a Rosary?


Our community facebook page changes the banner around for various holidays. They put up a Ramadan banner for around a week. It had a couple of dozen of posts from muslims and non muslims wishing them well.

Then they switched it to a generic Lenten banner for Ash Wednesday, that said something generic like "Pray, Fast, Sacrifice" with no mention of God or Christianity specifically.

The page exploded with outrage over including a banner recognizing a Christian holiday. Dozens of posts appeared almost immediately, upset over the Lenten banner, many specifically saying they were upset that it was recognizing a Christian event. The moderators had to take down the banner over the outrage. It didn't even stay up the full Ash Wednesday.

It was then followed by several additional threads of people upset that a Christian holiday was recognized, even though the Ramadan one had been up for almost a week and tge page always posts a cute generic banner for the various holidays. The mods then posted an egg banner, joking about egg prices being a universal issue, which was followed by people starting threads complaining that eggs are actually a Christian symbol since folks dye eggs at Easter, so the eggs proselytize Christianity.

You can't tell me this area isn't overtly hostile to Christianity, nor that you and others would not be flipping out if FCPS were promoting a Christian or Jewish prayer event.

Nailed it

I seriously doubt this. Please share what "community" this was.

DP- but I think I'm in that group- West Springfield moms? It wasn't that serious though.

Let the school have their celebration.

They deleted most of the comments, and turned off commenting on multiple threads.
The mods were just trying to be kind and welcoming, just like they are towards all the holidays. The outrage over the banner for the one Christian holiday was really shocking and over the top.

Many of the posts made it clear that there was great animosity towards even the most innocuous mentions of Christianity, especially when contrasted with the kind and supportive posts for other holidays, including the Ramadan one that aas up the prior week.

That being said, I don't think it was the muslim parents raising a stink for the most part. I think it was the more politically active "inclusive" left wing posters.

Given the centuries of Christian oppression and abuse of other groups and the current role of Christians at the forefront of dismantling our government and freedoms its not exactly surprising there are some big feelings.

Every group has done this, including your religious and ethnic background and atheist belief systems. Some religions still profess conversion by the sword in modern times. Some religions structured their entire belief system since their formation in the 7th century on violent conversion. Modern atheist belief sytems such a maoism, communism, marxism are some of the most violent belief systems in modern times.

Some in many parts of this world are still doing this today, including slavery and mass violent massacres of Christians that occur monthly in some parts of the world and as recently as last week.

Trotting out this argument against Christians by claiming that they are the main and sole proponents of violence and oppression in the world is laughable and grossly misinformed.

That statement is historically dishonest, factually innacurate, and ignores current events and the broad spectrum of human history from all belief systems, including atheism, from the dawn of recorded human history.

[Anonymous]

I see nothing wrong with an Iftar. Our choir hosts a program in December devoted to Christmas songs and food.

[Anonymous]

Again, this invitation was sent via FCPS email.

It’s an overstep no matter what the religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, this invitation was sent via FCPS email.

It’s an overstep no matter what the religion.

Yes, the invitation was sent out by FCPS. Not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the event is voluntary and outside of normal school hours. What’s the problem?

Bc it looks like fcps is promoting, advertising, and favoring a specific religious group.

+1 I'm another minority religion and find this problematic. It's not like letting a group use the space - this is a school event and even mentions prayer.

It is LITERALLY just letting a group use the space. No where does it mention it is an official school or FCPS event.


I for one appreciate the swift irony of this forum where people rage about FCPS failing and in the same breath demonstrate a tenuous, at best, grip on their own reading comprehension.


Also, who refers to themselves as a “minority religion”, I’m genuinely curious now what your affiliation is because I feel like most people would just specifically say it.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared. You will now be getting email from every Christian group of any stripe and Jewish groups and jehovahs witnesses and Mormons and Hindus and you name it and when you start to get annoyed about it, remember how delighted you were at the inclusivity. FCPS cannot have it both ways. It’s all the religions or none. I don’t know why none is so hard. My son is at an episcopal school and they have spring break at the end of March always. It doesn’t link it to Easter. I don’t know why these things are so hard for FCPS but it’s one of the reasons we left. They aren’t bright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the event is voluntary and outside of normal school hours. What’s the problem?

Bc it looks like fcps is promoting, advertising, and favoring a specific religious group.

+1 I'm another minority religion and find this problematic. It's not like letting a group use the space - this is a school event and even mentions prayer.

It is LITERALLY just letting a group use the space. No where does it mention it is an official school or FCPS event.


I for one appreciate the swift irony of this forum where people rage about FCPS failing and in the same breath demonstrate a tenuous, at best, grip on their own reading comprehension.


Also, who refers to themselves as a “minority religion”, I’m genuinely curious now what your affiliation is because I feel like most people would just specifically say it.

You clearly did not read the OP. It isn’t LITERALLY just letting the group use the space. The email went out from the school with FCPS and school logos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Strongly disapprove of public resources being used for a religious celebration.

I'm going to complain the next time my kid has to sing a Christmas song and a Hanukkah song at the winter chorus performance. Strongly disapprove of public resources being used for a religious celebration.

Our elementary school chorus has always been religion-neutral, even for the winter chorus. Absolutely no song even remotely related to Christmas. Most chorus songs are from some indigenous people in Africa or South America.

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