Anti-religion activists never seem to rest, and their newest target is an annual tradition celebrated across the country at thousands of schools.
But if the notorious Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has its way, Christmas plays will be banned for good. In response, thousands of angry parents are gathering up petition signatures to fight back.
The organization initially targeted 25 schools throughout Oregon and Washington state in 2013, demanding their Christmas pagents be cancelled.
In Portland, the school board of Grant High School just upheld their decision to remove their annual holiday tradition, the Festival of Lights at The Grotto, in a 4-3 vote.
Some board members cited concerns over the cost of a lawsuit when they referenced their decision. Board member Pam Knowles voted against the resolution, saying, “Why would we want to place the burden of saying no on our children?”
On the other side, board member Tom Koehler said he didn’t feel that The Grotto performances violated the constitution.
And over 3,600 angry parents agreed with him. In this online petition, graduates of the Grant High are calling for a restoration of the concert tradition.
Their petition reads,
So many opportunities for music in Public Schools are being taken away. Please don’t take this too! If a student doesn’t want to sing at The Grotto, why can’t they speak to their choral director and work something out? Why can’t this be handled on an individual case-by-case basis? I feel that your decision was unnecessary and I hope you will reverse it!
What do you think? Share your comments below.
I agree with the petitioners. It is too bad that so many people don’t have any common sense anymore. They are more than happy to take away the privileges of others- but scream bloody murder if someone takes away their own. The common sense approach would be to let the choir members choose if they want to participate or not.
I agree with you.As far as I know, we still have freedom of choice.
Yes, if it was good for students to do for decades or longer why should we stop it now? Just because some atheist doesn’t like it or want to participate? This is a good enough reason to take away from the majority who does want it? Reverse the tables and sue the atheist hate groups that are stripping our rights and liberties from us! This is only allowed to happen because everyone is afraid to stand up and fight for what is right and rightfully belongs to our children, if there are those who don’t want it then they don’t have to participate ! The Bulls–t that these kids will feel left out is the problem their parents started and if they have not been participating in these things then it should not bother them anyway! I went to school with friends who didn’t participate because of their religion and it didn’t bother them in the least!
Well then stop the sports, afterschool activities, things that make others happy, or get involved with their children. I’m sorry if Christmas / Christianity offend you, I am a Christian grandmother of 7 who believes my children / grandchildren deserve every right as a Christian in America to believe with all their hearts in Christ our Savior. If you don’t like it , feel free to go back to where you came. ???????????????????? It’s my American right you are trying to trample on, and I will fight is a Christian soldier to uphold the rights of all Christians.
DID THESE ATHIEST’S COME HERE TO OUR CHRISTIAN NATION, FOUNDED ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPALS TO CAUSE US, IN THE USA, TO CHANGE FOR THEM ? IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE AND CAUSE TROUBLE DEMANDING WE CANNOT HONOR GOD , JESUS AND THE MANGER SCENE,, THEN THEY NEED TO LEAVE, GO BACK TO YOUR MUSLIM COUNTRY,, THIS IS OUR COUNTRY, OUR WAYS AND OUR BELIEFS THEY ARE TRAMPLING ON,,WITH OBAMMY’S HELP, WE NEEDED TO DEPORT HIM ALSO, BACK TO KENYA, HE CAN TAKE HIS “WIFE” AND CHILDREN TO KENYA, AND START HIS REVOLUTION THERE AND SEE HOW FAR HE GETS WITH HIS BROKEN LAWS, FORCED “HEALTH CARE” AND MUSLIM LOVING WAYS. WE ARE HERE TO STAY, I AM PERSONALLY VOTING FOR DR BEN CARSON, HE CAN EXPLAIN ALL THIS BETTER THAN I CAN, HE IS NICE AND POLITE,,,WHICH I REALLY RESPECT, BUT I AM NOT SO NICE, AGE 71 AND TIRED OF ALL THIS BS FROM THE RADICALS WHO KILL THEIR UNBORN, RANT AND RAVE FOR HOMOSEXED “RIGHTS” AND MARCH IN THE STREETS AGAINST OUR AMERICAN WAYS~ GO LIVE IN SOME SOCIALIST COUNTRY, SOME COMMUNIST COUNTRY OR SOME MUSLIM COUNTRY,, LIVE WITH THE MILLIONS STARVING AND LIVING ON MUD COOKIES TO SURVIVE,,, YOU DESERVE IT~~~! ALAH WILL PAT YOU ON YOUR HEAD AS YOU LIVE THAT WAY! WE WANT JESUS AND GOD HERE IN AMERICA, AND HE IS NOT “ALAH” !!!!
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Why does this Nation let people like The Anti-Religion Activists tell us what we can do. There are a hell of lot more of us then there are of them. We have to stand up to them. This is the reason we are having so much trouble in the schools, because they took God out of them. Christmas is our day!!!!! Time to fight back….
Who are those I*DIOTS that want to remove CHRISTMAS from the rest of us? Too bad they don’t believe in Hell either, but that’s where they may wind up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are right.
AND AMEN AND AMEN ,,CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, FIGHT BACK, STAND FOR TRUTH AND CHRISTIAN VALUES, DON’T JUST ROLL OVER AND PLAY DEAD,,, I GREW UP IN AMERICA WHERE I WAS BORN,, AND RAISED ON CHRISTIAN VALUES,, WE NEED TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH HERE,, NOT BE “POLITICALLY CORRECT” ,, IT IS SILENCING SO MANY NOW,, OPEN UP, TALK AND STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN,, CHRISTIAN MORALS DON’T MURDER THEIR BABIES, EVEN IF THEY ARE BORN OF A TEEN MOTHER, CHRISTIAN MORALS DON’T MARCH DOWN THE STREETS SHOUTING “OINK OINK =BANG BANG” AS THE BLACK PANTHERS ARE NOW DOING,, CHRISTIAN MORALS, DON’T SLEEP WITH THE SAME SEX, DON’T DEMAND FOLKS TO BE PUNISHED FOR NOT BAKING YOU A “GAY” CAKE??? GET REAL , CHRISTIANS DON’T HAVE TO JUST TAKE IT,,, WE NEED TO MAKE OUR STAND IN LIFE AND OUR CHRISTIAN CHOICES. I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW, SOME ONE BENT ON SILENCING ME, SENT ME A VIRUS ON MY COMPUTER TO STOP MY VOICE ON COMMENTS,, WELL, I WON’T EVER STOP! IT IS MY FREEDOM AND ALL AMERICANS FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREEDOM OF RELIGION, WE HAVE “RIGHTS ” ALSO,AND THEY DON’T INCLUDE BECOMING HEATHENS AND ATHIESTS, YOU CAN LEAVE AMERICA!!!! YOU DON’T DESERVE TO LIVE HERE IN OUR FREE NATION WITH JUSTICE FOR ALL. THAT INCLUDES AMERICAN CHRISTIANS!!!!!!!!!
I think this is aweful. This great country we live in has turned into a total shambles and a disgrace simply because we have let atheist and others take God out of it. If we dont take a stand now, we are headed for nothing but doom and gloom. I really cant understand why people are afraid and scared of these ignorant people. What has happened to us ? This was once a great country, it is now a country full of cowards, thieves, back stabbers, and traiters. I hope and pray that the stupidity and blind eyes will be changed before its too late. I never thought I would live to see the day we have become what we have. God, please forgive us, and have mercy on us, please help us to correct our ways, and come back to you.
In JESUS name, I pray, AMEN !
Amen! I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a downright shame, the way this once great country of ours is turning around. Our founding fathers must be turning over in their graves, God rest their souls. They created a good thing, and it’s being destroyed. If the anti-religious people don’t want to participate in religious themed programs, they don’t have to! If they don’t want to attend, fine on them, let them stay the hell at home or where ever they choose to be! No one’s wanting to force them to participate or attend. But these types of activities should NOT be taken away from Christians. WHY do the anti-religious people think they should have their way? It’s all getting to be one sided, AGAINST CHRISTIANS and FOR ANTI-CHRISTIANS, the same as with the gays, and the LGBT community! Just like the muslims, all of these groups/people are wanting to force their beliefs down everyone else’s throats! And Obumma muslim is making sure it happens, on all counts! It’s just not right. It’s not fair. Why is it all one sided for non believers, and the sickos? God help us, please, I pray, before it’s too late.
Amen and Amen
a Nation who forgets God, will be turned into hell.the bible..2nd chronicles 7:14 God does not give the spirit of fear, fear is of the devil, we must fight for the sake of our children and grand children!!!
AND AMEN~!
To the parents of children still in the school system, remember back when it only took ONE woman to take the bible out of the schools. SO WHY should this be allowed to happen, fight for all you are worth to keep CHRISTMAS alive in the school system. The children love it and the parents enjoy going to watch their children. A little singing from a group of children never hurt anyone. SO DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU.
i AGREE FIGHT FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN GIVING INN TO THE ATHEIST AND MUSLIMS SCREW THEM
It was Madeline Murray O’hare – (sp?) and she was able to get PRAYER taken out of our schools, not Bibles. Yes, it is time we fight back as Christians for Christmas to STAY. Our City of Boca Raton, FL, I truly admire. They allow the City Green to be used by ALL – with approval, of course, but all during the year. So, during the Holidays we are VERY FESTIVE, not counting our white lights, Holiday Downtown Parade and our Holiday Boat Parade!! I was most disappointed today in our grocery stores, as they seemed to have jumped from Halloween with Spiders and Ghosts to Christmas. I was shopping for a Church Family Dinner to be given away for Thanksgiving. Looking for some Thanksgiving paper napkins, tablecloths, etc……all the way to the Managers of 3 large Supermarkets, NONE to be found – kind of sad, when that was our “Founders Day”!! God Bless America!!
America has been so wrapped up in materialism, she doesn’t need God any more.we took our children to church, tried our best to live right before them.Read the bible every night prayed and sang from the old church hymnal.The bible says train up a child in the way he shall go, and when he’s old he won’t depart from it.God called all fathers to be the spiritual leaders of their homes, where are the fathers? women use to stay @ home, and were home makers, where’s the mothers? Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, sunday now has become just another work day, in my time you wouldn’t find any thing open on sunday, you got your gas on Saturday, or you were out of luck.Prayer in school every morning, pledge to our beloved flag,respect for teachers, respect for parents, respect for the elderly,Whats happened to America, we quit doing what was right! our only hope is true repentance,2nd. Chronicles 7:14 we must turn back to God and abhor all evil..Pray from our hearts America God just might have mercy on us if it’s not already to late.
Christian expressions are being banned. Yet, we read in the news as to how some public school districts have days off on Muslim holidays. A couple of years ago Massachusetts postponed a state election primary that fell on a Jewish Holy Day. The official line by some of our government officials is that some religions get special consideration while the largest one is to be ignored and dis-respected. All religions should be respected. Not just a few.
Very true
I agree. The liberals are pushing too many one sided, sick agendas. What works for one group should work for another. They’re pushing the muslim ‘religion’ on kids in school, and giving them a failing grade if they don’t go along with it. If nothing else, it should be – to each his own. God have mercy on us and help us overcome all of this crap that’s taking place. We need to get God back into everywhere he’s been removed from! Stand up and Fight! God bless everyone.
I hope you would re-read that article because I would believe it if it was because of another religion but Christianity and Judaism are the two religions that are the most oppressed not only in this country but in the world.
To be a Christian, is to be Christ like. How many true born again Christians do you see being like Jesus? more to it than just words, we must live it.That includes the places we shouldn’t go, the way we dress, the way we talk, the way we walk.we’re to be Godly examples, to society,Where I live and go to church, you sometimes cant tell Christian women from street walkers, the way they dress, so inmodest..The 66 books of Gods Holy word tells us all how god expects us to live. Gods word is his love letter to us, and a road map to heaven.Please read it KJV.Ye must be born again to get in to heaven.America must repent of all our un godly sins!!!
The Freedom From Religion gang will not be happy until they steal everyone’s freedom of religion. This group is not about freedom, but their goal is to force their religious views on everyone else.
Maybe the town’s ministerial association or a civic organization could take over the Christmas program. This would still allow the Christmas celebration to continue but it would make it harder for the Freedom From Religion extremists to sue since the school would no longer be involved in the production. If the school makes its facilities available to other groups that should give it constitutional cover for allowing the event to continue on school facilities under the direction of an outside group.
No! Our Schools need to fight this FFRFanatics group. That is the only way to stop them! The School districts around the country should pull their resources so that they can afford to fight them ! There are a couple of Organizations that will help them financially and Legally!
They should all notify the American Center for law and Justice, the ACLJ Jay Sekelow, and his group of lawyers will gladly taken them on.This is a freedom of speech thing.All it takes for evil to rule, is for a few good men to do nothing.Rise up men!!!
Oh big woopin surprise there. Bunch of Godless liberal brain dead morons. Just like their Godless neighbors in California. May the left coast burn.
The only thing that needs to be banned here is this Atheist group of satanic nut jobs ( FFRF)
The founding fathers of our great country wrote in the Constitution and Bill of Rights that we are to have Freedom “OF” Religion not Freedom FROM Religion. Meaning we have the Constitutional right to worship as we choose and the right to not worship if that is our choice. The givernment has no right to mandate either choice. Christian principles are the basis for our laws and personal conduct and serve to guide us to be respectful, responsible citizens in this country. These principles make us better people to share this country with and benifit all that dwell here. When we deviate from this we all suffer the consequences and our country looses its unique standing in the world and we loose our heritage.
Well said!
Correct and the key word is principles and they don’t get the difference of living by Christian Principles from living under a religious theocracy .
It’s so sad to see our country falling into such a low level of spirituality. Christianity is a religion of love. Why can’t everyone see that? Our children deserve to have a divine connection to God through the way they live their lives here on earth. If not, how will turn out as adults? Christmas is such a joyous, loving season and the children should be free to experience it as we did when we were young.
when is it that the minority rules? this is a majority rule system. its time to stand up to the few that make life miserable for everyone else. americans stand up for yourself and stop cowering to the minorities.,i hope the school systems stand up to those idiots…..
Recall the bastards that voted for this. They just recalled a complete school board in Colorado.
Each day, we loose another small freedom from something. We are a melting pot of peoples from all races, colors and creeds, and religions, and have been since the founding of this country. Why do we as the majority, have to loose our freedoms to a small minority? What happened to the majority rules? Remember one thing – WHAT YOU ALLOW TODAY BECOMES THE REALITY OF TOMORROW!!!!
This is AMERICA. Because of these freedoms , you can do what you wish! Don’t like a holiday, you don’t have to celebrate it! Don’t like a radio or TV show, you have the choice to change the channel or just shut the damn thing off!!!
However, this does not give you or I the right to stop or take away the freedoms the celebrate a holiday from another person, or prevent me from watching or listening to a TV or radio program, or from eating a particular food.
NO PERSON, OR GROUP OR GOVERNMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE AND TAKE AWAY THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER- THIS IS IN THE CONSTITUTION!!
FIGHT FOR YOUR GOD GIVEN RIGHTS TO LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND TELL THESE IDIOTS TO GO FUCK OFF!
don’t beat around the bush – tell us how you really feel 🙂
The only way we are going to stop such nonsense is to put a president and senate in office and start impeaching JUDGES . That is where all this started.
and FIRE a fair amount of the mentally unbalanced insane college professors!!!! That’s a start anyway.
Show me in the Constitution where it says “SEPARATION of CHURCH and STATE”. It does NOT! It says that the government MAY NOT ESTABLISH a religion, meaning that they cannot establish a religion requiring all of the people to worship it. It does not say that religions cannot be practiced in government, or that people in government cannot practice their religion.
Indeed. Separation is liberal, dimocratic party legal mythology in America!
Christians who rail against Christmas because it is a pagan holiday ought to be rejoicing at banning Christmas plays, etc.
The parents and the community should fight back BUT if they loose, there is a simple solution. One parent can rent the hall for $1 and sponser the play themselves as a private enterprise from the private sector. And the school gets $1 richer. This puts the screws to those who would take our religious freedoms away.
This is exactly how it needs to work — private, not public, sponsorship of religious celebrations. And this arrangement should also avoid putting children into a coercive situation regarding whether to participate.
i suggest that the board members that voted to abolish this freedom should be replaced.
Ban Christmas plays?That is unconstitutional.If anything should be banned it should be Islam. Those savages believe in murdering anyone who does not believe in their sick so called religion.
Lots of people don’t like the national anthem, probably muslims. So, oh say is the next thing to be banned in public our national anthem? Banned by a minority who opt for minority rule? Or is the real problem we have rule by lawyers who only see things through the distorted, warped view of law suits. Especially against a govt body that has deep pockets. They are after fees, not justice? Alternative to hiring an attack law firm, who comes riding into town with their law suits blazing, is to turn the other cheek, forgive and forget if you are truly offended. It just might keep thou from offending others.
Who would like to contribute to a FREEDOM FROM “FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION” FOUNDATION ?
I wonder why the anti-religious movement never attacks Muslims. Islam is also a religion. There are hundreds of different religions in the world. Why do anti-religionist only attack Judaism and Christianity?
So far Muslims are not using American civic property and public schools as platforms for promoting their religious beliefs. When they attempt to, and the more militant and fanatical elements will attempt to, the same rules will need to apply to them. And I’m sure the FFRF people will be there to say so.
ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, could have described this President more accurately. This is a brief biography that articulates the man, his life and his goals perfectly!
The Architect of Destruction
By Maureen Scott Barack Obama appears to be a tormented man filled with resentment, anger, and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power and control over others.
Perhaps, because, as a child, he grew up harboring an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. That was instilled in him by his family and mentors…it seems to have never left him. It is not the color of his skin that I s a problem in America Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country.
Think: Have we ever heard Obama speak lovingly of the U.S. Or its people, with deep appreciation and genuine respect for our history, our customs, our sufferings and our blessings? Has he ever revealed that, like most patriotic Americans, he gets “goose bumps” when a band plays “The Star Spangled Banner,” (no he gets goose bumps when he hears the “Muslim call to prayer” (his words) or sheds a tear when he hears a beautiful rendition of “America the Beautiful?” Does his heart burst with pride when millions of American flags wave on a National holiday – or someone plays “taps” on a trumpet? Has he ever
shared the admiration of the military, as we as lovers of those who keep us free, feel when soldiers march by? It is doubtful because Obama did not grow up sharing our experiences or our values. He did not sit at the knee of a Grandfather or Uncle who showed us his medals and told us about the bravery of his fellow
troops as they tramped through foreign lands to keep us free. He didn’t have grandparents who told stories of suffering and then coming to America, penniless, and the opportunities they had for building a business and life for their children.
Away from this country as a young child, Obama didn’t delight in being part of America and its greatness.
He wasn’t singing our patriotic songs in kindergarten, or standing on the roadside for a holiday parade and eating a hot dog, or lighting sparklers around a campfire on July 4th as fireworks exploded over head, or placing flags on the grave sites of fallen and beloved American heroes.
Rather he was separated from all of these experiences and doesn’t really understand us and what it means to be an American. He is void of the basic emotions that most feel regarding this country and insensitive to the instinctive pride we have in our national heritage. His opinions were formed by those who either envied us or wanted him to devalue the United States and the traditions and patriotism that unites us.
He has never given a speech that is filled with calm, reassuring, complimentary, heartfelt statements about all the people in the U.S. Or one that inspires us to be better and grateful and proud that in a short time our country became a leader, and a protector of many. Quite the contrary, his speeches always degenerate into mocking, ridiculing tirades as he faults our achievements as well as any critics or opposition for the sake of a laugh, or o bolster his ego. He uses his Office to threaten and create fear while demeaning and degrading any American who opposes his policies and actions. A secure leader, who has noble self-esteem and not false confidence, refrains from showing such dread of critics and displaying a cocky, haughty attitude.
Mostly, his time seems to be spent causing dissension, unrest, and anxiety among the people of America , rather than uniting us (even though he was presented to us as the “Great Uniter”). He creates chaos for the sake of keeping people separated, envious, aggrieved and ready to argue. Under his leadership Americans have been kept on edge, rather than in a state of comfort and security. He incites people to be aggressive toward, and disrespectful of, those of differing opinions. And through such behavior, Obama has lowered the standards for self-control and mature restraint to the level of street-fighting gangs, when he should be raising the bar for people to strive toward becoming more considerate, tolerant, self-disciplined, self-sustaining, and self-assured.
-Not a day goes by that he is not attempting to defy our laws, remove our rights, over-ride established procedures, install controversial appointees, enact divisive mandates, and assert a dictatorial form of government.
– Never has there been a leader of this great land who used such tactics to harm and hurt the people and this country.
-Never have we had a President who spoke with a caustic, evil tongue against the citizenry rather than present himself as a soothing, calming and trustworthy force.
-Never, in this country, have we experienced how much stress one man can cause a nation of people – on a daily basis!
Obama has promoted the degeneration of peace, civility, and quality of cooperation between us. He thrives on tearing us down, rather than building us up. He is the Architect of the decline of America, and the epitome of a Demagogue.
Its time for a constitutional amendment:
Proposed Amendment .
Clarification of Church and State. Prayer is allowed in school, at sporting events, and on government property. Judaea Christian displays, including the 10 Commandments, Christmas Nativity Scenes, and Easter, may be displayed on school grounds and on public property.
Its way past time to put a stop to all this B. S. what this country needs is some one
with a little courage to call there bluff. They cant put us all behind bars.
in these. We need to be united in these fights.
I read all the comments above to the very last. The last time that I did this you erased my comments because I criticized Islam/Muslim. But you did not erase other messages above even ones that used profane words or insulted Christianity. The people above have no idea what the Bill of Rights stands for with a few exceptions. The first ten amendments to the Constitution which include freedom of religion were supposed to be designed to protect minorities from having the religion of the majority shoved down their throat. Almost everyone who commented above seems to be a Christian and cannot understand that other people who are not Christian are not interested in Christianity. If they want to practice their religion, it is perfectly okay as long as they do not inflict their religion on other including non-believers. Non-believers have rights not to be exposed to somebody else’s nonsense. Almost all the people above insist that they have a perfect right to impose their religion on others in public forums. You did not erase anyone who insulted Christianity, but you erased my comments when I criticized Islam. I guess that you do not realize that the Islamic religion wants to destroy the United States when a whole nation burns American flags and shouts ” Death to America.”
Christians to christians stay LAS Vegas
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