My dd's teacher is being too policitally correct!

[SamRoc]

For my dd's school, they always have a spring concert. My dd was asked to sing a Gospel song (picked out by the music teacher) most of the other songs are from Fiddler on the Roof and three are Jewish songs (lots of Jewish kids in this school) Well the teacher (who by the way picked out this song for my dd) told her today to omit the word Jesus as it might offend people. She's kidding right??? My dd went nuts, as did all the other Christian kids, and now theres going to be a problem. Why is it ok to sing songs about the Jewish faith and not say Jesus in a Gospel song? I am sure tomorrow will be interesting. But very proud of dd, who is learning at a young age to stand up for what she believes in!

 

[cinmell]

I think "PCness" has gotten way out of hand.

 

[Marseeya]

I'm an atheist and even I think it's ridiculous.

Why would she choose anything even remotely related to religion if she's going to be so anal?

There's just no way to avoid all references to religion in the classroom. I have yet to read a book that doesn't have a "Thank god" or Biblical reference of some sort.

 

[FreshTressa]

If you can't celebrate christianity, you can't celebrate any other religion either.

You can't have it both ways!!

 

[beckmrk04]

I don't see how saying Jesus' name could be offensive, and I'm not even religious/Christian!

If you're going to sing a gospel song, it's pretty obvious what the suject matter would be!

And if you are going to do something about religion, why take the religion out of it?

 

[jbdreamer]

I agree, schools today are overly 'PC.'

When I went to school we sang Silent Night, had Santa and the Easter Bunny visit, played with Dreidels, made Dreamcatchers and ate Witches Brew! They are taking away all the fun.

 

[punkin]

First of all, I agree with you that no one would be offended by a gospel song. However, there is only one song in Fidler on the Roof that even mildly speaks of Jewish faith (the Sabath Prayer), all other songs are completely non religious. Which gospel song did she want to sing?

 

[bicker]

I have seen that before: Some folks thinking they're doing right by including songs that are about Jewish culture along with the Christian religious songs they want to include, and they don't understand the problem.

Beyond that, they don't realize that there are many other religions and each one is as important to the people who subscribe to it as Judaism is to Jews and Christianity is to Christians. The number of Jews and Christians doesn't rationalize marginalizing people of other religions, because religion is such a critical issue.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

It's a song. Not a prayer.

Gospel songs mention Jesus sometimes. If this were classroom instruction, I'd be with the teacher. But this is entertainment, right?

Personally, if it were my kid, I'd urge them to do whatever they thought was right, not as an evangelist. I mean tell me she's not going to hand out flyers for a bible study or anything and I'm with you on this one.

Gospel's a musical genre that many people enjoy regardless of faith. Ever go to one of those gospel brunches? It's not just a bunch of born agains there.

 

[frndshpcptn]

"I have seen that before: Some folks thinking they're doing right by including songs that are about Jewish culture along with the Christian religious songs they want to include, and they don't understand the problem."

I totally agree with this.

 

[bicker]

It's a song. Not a prayer.

Religion is religion. Unless you're prepared to sit through a song in veneration of Mother Gaia, don't expect to be able to present a song in veneration of Christ, on property supported with tax dollars, without objection.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I'm all for keeping religion out of the classroom, but frankly, I'm tired of having to hide the fact that I am a Christian, like it's something shameful or something.

I agree that a Christian song festival would be inappropriate for a public school. But one Gospel song. Come on. I'm willing and even in agreement with keeping religious things out of the classroom, but being asked to not say "Jesus" like it is a dirty word or something is just unreasonable.

 

[punkin]

"I have seen that before: Some folks thinking they're doing right by including songs that are about Jewish culture along with the Christian religious songs they want to include, and they don't understand the problem."

I totally agree with this.

Yes, this is true. That's why I want to know what song. Many gospel songs are fairly innocuous, but most speak of "salvation" and faith in Jesus. I can make a comparison with christmas songs. "Rudolph the red nosed raindeer" does not bother me but "away in a manger" really would.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Religion is religion. Unless you're prepared to sit through a song in veneration of Mother Gaia, don't expect to be able to present a song in veneration of Christ, on property supported with tax dollars, without objection.

Why would I be offended by a song in veneration of Mother Gaia?

 

[punkin]

It's a song. Not a prayer.

No. Gospel songs are often sung in churches as prayers. What do you think a Hymn is?

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

No. Gospel songs are often sung in churches as prayers. What do you think a Hymn is?

I disagree. We can offer songs in prayer, but many times gospel music is just entertainment. Look at itunes. There's a whole section of cool gospel music that many nonChristians seem not to be offended by.

 

[missypie]

There are a zillion songs in the world. Why would she ask her to sing a gospel song if she didn't want the Christian religion mentioned? Make no sense, given all of the other songs that could have been sung.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Gee all that time I was singing George Harrison songs in the 60s and 70s I was praying to Krishna. I had no idea!

 

[DawnCt1]

I have seen that before: Some folks thinking they're doing right by including songs that are about Jewish culture along with the Christian religious songs they want to include, and they don't understand the problem.

Beyond that, they don't realize that there are many other religions and each one is as important to the people who subscribe to it as Judaism is to Jews and Christianity is to Christians. The number of Jews and Christians doesn't rationalize marginalizing people of other religions, because religion is such a critical issue.

If anyone objects, they can suggest singing their "own" song. It's not "freedom FROM religion", its "FREEDOM OF RELIGION".

 

[frndshpcptn]

What were the songs chosen from Fiddler?