An elementary school in Ottawa was flooded with hateful and threatening e-mails and phone calls after media reports that it had removed the word "Christmas" from a song to be performed at its Christmas concert. link
Nothing special in the story really other than a few exceptional citizens spreading Christmas cheer. It's the type of thing that has become typical in the "War on Christmas" that has been going on for a few years.
The greatest thing (for me) about this battle is that it's a war where the enemies of society seem to be defeating themselves. Every time they claim that their right to celebrate has been threatened, and every time they say Canada is a Christian Country they loose ground. The defenders of freedom (the government in this case) sit back from their side of the fortifications watching the enemy bleed from the feet.
I must admit I'm really only into the kinds of stories that show people reacting of behaving badly. I'm a bit of a sensationalist in that regard. In this case however I would like to hear a little more about the motivations of the attackers. What are their demands? What do they care so deeply about that they would verbally assault a school teacher?
Could it be that they believe that tradition should always outweigh progress? Perhaps they think publicly funded institutions should play favorites? I'm going to dig a bit into this because I really can't make sense of it.
What ever the callers motivations were I would loved to have heard the actual phone call. Lets imagine for a second that we were right there with the teacher as she answered the phone.
"Howdy, my name is Jack Johnson. Why my little Peggy just come home an toll me you dun changed the words to that there song Silver Bells! That true?" and so on.
Have a very Merry Tuesday!
7 comments:
I share your curiosity about the actual content of the "hateful and threatening e-mails and phone calls". I'd like to see what qualifies. Since none were quoted directly, I suspect they are more "hateful and threatening" in perception than in actual content. I did rather enjoy Dawkins' direct quotes from letters be received - not those were "hateful and threatening"!
I love the article's closing quote:
"What's really unfortunate is the way that sensationalizing this, as has happened, has really put a damper on what should have been a delightful Christmas seasonal celebration for the children at Elmdale," she said."
Oops, I think she meant to say "delightful festive seasonal celebration".
That's great I never realized that she said Christmas! So in other words the whole story was a classic something from nothing space fill.
Apparently. Christians being outraged always sells papers though, eh?
Let me know when you're back in town. I still owe you a beer.
Well until Christians start exploding things it's all they have to go on.
I blew up a bird's nest with a black cat firecracker... does that count?
What's appalling is that they removed the word "Christmas" from a Christmas song. Frankly, I find it offensive. We talk about equal rights here in Canada, but how come it seems like a minority is trying to curtail my right to celebrate Christmas? They talk about how un-Christianlike the reaction is, but after years and years of being quietly persecuted in this day and age, enough is enough. It's just shocking and outrageous. If we're to change a Christmas song, then we should change the lyrics of songs sung in Hannukah or in Ramadan or in other religious holidays. Actually, why not have the same religion? That would be most convenient and politcally correct. Why don't we remove the word "Canada" from the anthem? Absolutely ridiculous. Some folks may say it's no big deal. Well, if it's not a big deal, why'd they change the lyrics of the song in the first place? It IS a big deal, because it's a form of persecution and unfairness. They ask us to respect other religions and their customs/traditions, but why can't they respect ours?
Beth,
Please keep in mind that we're talking about songs sung in publicly funded school. I don't think anyone is trying to take away Canadians right to celebrate religious holidays privately. I really don't think that's the issue being discussed here.
If I am to understand you properly you are saying that it is justified to behave in an un-Christian manner to defend Christian beliefs. What tenets of Christianity should be ignored in a situation like this? Tolerance? Forgiveness?
You Said:
"They ask us to respect other religions and their customs/traditions, but why can't they respect ours?"
Who is the "They" that you refer to in this statement? I wonder when you have ever been asked to officially respect other religions and traditions. Isn't just a common courtesy to do so?
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