School Omits 'Christ' from 'Silent Night'

[jimnyc]

Yep, here we go again. "Christ" removed from their "holiday" concert. Sickening that people feel the need to rewrite history and rewrite songs, so as not to offend others. It's amazing, when I was in school from the late 70's to the mid-80's, there were TONS of CHRISTMAS concerts in the schools and they NEVER had a single word removed or changed. No one complained and everyone enjoyed the awesome holiday season. Today? We live in a culture where complaining and being offended are things people do in order to completely remove things they don't like. And SO many scream "tolerance" these days, about SO many causes and groups, but there's no tolerance anymore for Christmas.


Christ has been officially removed from Christmas. At least that was the case at one middle school on Long Island, where its holiday-concert chorus sang a version of "Silent Night" that had all references to "the savior" and "holy infant" removed by school administrators. But the effort to avoid alienating people seems to have backfired.

"It's offensive," one father of a student at the Ralph J. Osgood Intermediate School in Kings Park told CBS New York. "If you're going to remove words to not offend other religions, what about the religion that that song belongs to, which is Christianity?"

The fifth-grade students sang the edited classic — which mixed and matched verses in a way that left out the most religious references — at the concert, on December 12. But that upset some parents who felt the song was sacred, and should have instead been left intact, performed as an instrumental, or kept out of the concert altogether. Some spoke out about it at a Tuesday board of education meeting.

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/school-omits-39-christ-39-39-silent-night-193900497.html

[Gaffer]

I have one thing to say to these pc and ignorant administrators. Don't fuck with my christmas music. It's traditional and pleasant to listen to. It's music that is only offensive to assholes.

[Abbey Marie]

I would have boycotted the concert, or stood up and sang the correct version from the audience. Seriously.

[Gaffer]

I would have boycotted the concert, or stood up and sang the correct version from the audience. Seriously.

You would probably have been joined by the rest of the audience.

[revelarts]

what are these administrators smoking? MAN!

Well the "heaven Host" probably sounded like they had a guns in the song to so they had them escorted off the school grounds.

But how do you even take the "christian bits" out of silent night. what were they doing
"Silent Night mmm mmm Night all is calm all is bright round mmmm mmm mmmm mmm
mmmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm
Silinet night mmmm..."

On Halloween they'll sing "Monster Mash" without any offensive references to monsters.
it's plain crazy.

It's a joke story right, it's got to be.

[aboutime]

I have one thing to say to these pc and ignorant administrators. Don't fuck with my christmas music. It's traditional and pleasant to listen to. It's music that is only offensive to assholes.


Agreed Gaffer. But I have an expression I used many times back during the Vietnam war, and I continued to use it up until the day I retired from active duty in 1995 from the navy.

It applies to what is happening across our entire nation today.

And that expression is:

"Living here in America today is like being the Last Tube of Preparation-H, in a world full of Assholes...and the Tube is Empty".

http://icansayit.com/images/preptooth.jpg

[Abbey Marie]

You would probably have been joined by the rest of the audience.

I think so too, Gaffer.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I think so too, Gaffer. I'd have join you and I can not even sing a lick. :laugh:--Tyr

[Kathianne]

I'd have join you and I can not even sing a lick. :laugh:--Tyr

I would have too! Have you ever heard a deaf person sing? LOL! Let's just say that their 'tune' and what is written are a tad different.

[jafar00]

Thank the Atheists. The Atheist lobby is well funded and well organised.

[fj1200]

Why are they singing Silent Night in the first place?

[logroller]

Both my daughters sing in choir (same director, different campuses) and their director presents a multicultural arrangement of songs-- Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza songs in addition to secular songs both traditional and non-. It was funny though because at the elementary school concert the principal emceed and wished everyone a merry Christmas.

kind of an aside but my wife, who's an elementary teacher read charley brown Christmas book and it had a passage about the true meaning of Christmas : Jesus. With parents and an additional class of older students present, she added a wee disclaimer afterwards that she isn't teaching Christianity, only that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth.

The funny thing is she has two students (cousins) from Yemen who both brought her gifts from their homeland despite that they don't themselves celebrate Christmas. Anecdotal though it may be, its proof that people are amenable to cultural traditions.

Im curious about something though. Recognizing that she mentions the meaning of a Christian observed holiday, had she read a book on Ramadan would such be acceptable ?

[revelarts]

Both my daughters sing in choir (same director, different campuses) and their director presents a multicultural arrangement of songs-- Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza songs in addition to secular songs both traditional and non-. It was funny though because at the elementary school concert the principal emceed and wished everyone a merry Christmas.

kind of an aside but my wife, who's an elementary teacher read charley brown Christmas book and it had a passage about the true meaning of Christmas : Jesus. With parents and an additional class of older students present, she added a wee disclaimer afterwards that she isn't teaching Christianity, only that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth.

The funny thing is she has two students (cousins) from Yemen who both brought her gifts from their homeland despite that they don't themselves celebrate Christmas. Anecdotal though it may be, its proof that people are amenable to cultural traditions.

Im curious about something though. Recognizing that she mentions the meaning of a Christian observed holiday, had she read a book on Ramadan would such be acceptable ?
I think your right most people can appreciate the kind spirit and history of others celebrations and faiths.

but Ramadan at a Christmas celebration?
Well is Ramadan a holiday should be read about when most people are celebrating Christmas?

if i lived in Deerbourne Michigan I'd be aware that the mostly Muslim community there probably wouldn't celebrate Christmas as I or other Americans might. AND that there may be days off for Ramadan and other Muslim Holidays. and maybe even school events that celebrate the Muslim faith.
I would not be a part of it, but i'd GET IT.
same if i went to China or Indian, I wouldn't expect or ask that they water down their celebrations or conduct as to not to "offend" me. Just as long as me and mine i can op out. I'm not going to die if someone says Buddha bless you. or if i'm in Israel or the U.S. and someone says 'Happy Hanukkah', I'd be crazy to ask/expect Jewish people to 'tone down that Hebrew will ya. it's offensive' .

The U.S. still has a thick veneer of Christianity, that's just the fact. Christians would LOVE others to join in but others are not forced too. The idea that it's somehow UNBEARABLY to some to be in the presence of Christian celebrations, songs or the very mention of the word "Christmas" or -gasp- "Jesus" or -double gasps- more than one Bible verse is just irrational to me.
It's like a part of the world have become vampires and the sight of the cross will kill them or something.

[logroller]

I think your right most people can appreciate the kind spirit and history of others celebrations and faiths.

but Ramadan at a Christmas celebration?
Well is Ramadan a holiday should be read about when most people are celebrating Christmas?

if i lived in Deerbourne Michigan I'd be aware that the mostly Muslim community there probably wouldn't celebrate Christmas as I or other Americans might. AND that there may be days off for Ramadan and other Muslim Holidays. and maybe even school events that celebrate the Muslim faith.
I would not be a part of it, but i'd GET IT.
same if i went to China or Indian, I wouldn't expect or ask that they water down their celebrations or conduct as to not to "offend" me. Just as long as me and mine i can op out. I'm not going to die if someone says Buddha bless you. or if i'm in Israel or the U.S. and someone says 'Happy Hanukkah', I'd be crazy to ask/expect Jewish people to 'tone down that Hebrew will ya. it's offensive' .

The U.S. still has a thick veneer of Christianity, that's just the fact. Christians would LOVE others to join in but others are not forced too. The idea that it's somehow UNBEARABLY to some to be in the presence of Christian celebrations, songs or the very mention of the word "Christmas" or -gasp- "Jesus" or -double gasps- more than one Bible verse is just irrational to me.
It's like a part of the world have become vampires and the sight of the cross will kill them or something.
I meant during/about Ramadan (Octoberishlcouldn't opt out of my wife's reading of charley brown Xmas. (In her defense, she didn't recall its overtly religious lines) My question was whether there would opposition to her reading to her students about Ramadan during Ramadan. It seems as though you're saying that you wouldn't want to be party to the concert b/c it included Hanukkah songs...?
To me, if there's a zero tolerance for any religion then the veneer of Christianity matters not.

[revelarts]

I meant during/about Ramadan (Octoberishlcouldn't opt out of my wife's reading of charley brown Xmas. (In her defense, she didn't recall its overtly religious lines) My question was whether there would opposition to her reading to her students about Ramadan during Ramadan. It seems as though you're saying that you wouldn't want to be party to the concert b/c it included Hanukkah songs...?
To me, if there's a zero tolerance for any religion then the veneer of Christianity matters not.

Hanukkah songs or any Jewish holiday celebration is fine with me, i consider it part of my own.

For Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu or other faiths i'd like chance to see what it is 1st, especially for an elementary age child.
For every national holiday i'd expect some teaching in elementary school, i'm not sure why a teacher would artificially bring Ramadan into an elementary class unless there's a large local Muslim presence in the community.

in middle school & high school a factual education on what each faith believes and how they celebrate , just the fats ma'ame, makes perfect sense.
But having the students to join in the celebrations is a step that parental notification and permission should be mandatory.

[DragonStryk72]

How? I mean seriously, here are the lyrics:

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.


Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glory streams from heaven afar
Heavenly, hosts sings Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.




Read more: Christmas Carols - Silent Night Lyrics | MetroLyrics (http://www.metrolyrics.com/silent-night-lyrics-christmas-carols.html#ixzz2o7kHihJc)

I mean, the hell? What precisely is left of that song when you get you remove all reference? I mean, it's a hymn, you asshats! The whole thing is religious from beginning to end. It would be like trying to edit out the Christian from O Come All Ye Faithful! You can't, because that's the whole point of the song.

You know, this really has nothing to do with a war on Christmas, because it's not like they don't sweep all the other winter religious holidays under the rug too. Instead, it's to do with this idiotic attempt to whitewash everything in schools. Schools would be better served to represent all of the december holidays in their school, having displays for Hanukkah, and even Ramadan. It's not like the festivities can't be expanded to include others, and it's better than removing the fun and merriment from the holidays. At least then, the schools would be teaching inclusion and respect for other cultures, as opposed to the current learning point of exclusion. The separation of Church and State wasn't meant to be a dividing wall to cut us off from spirituality, and joyous festivities. It was meant to make it so that there would be no state religion, to allow all the freedom to worship as they wish.

And no, they never planned for people getting butthurt because others have joyous festivities going on around them. For some reason, they seemed to believe that people would be able to realize that people having a good time that hurt no one was entirely acceptable and permissible.

[jimnyc]

Im curious about something though. Recognizing that she mentions the meaning of a Christian observed holiday, had she read a book on Ramadan would such be acceptable ?

Speaking for myself, if they had a "holiday" party around Thanksgiving, which is somewhat usually around when Ramadan is, and if part of that concert they had a few Muslim children do a song, and it had mention of Muhammed and/or Allah - I would be totally cool with it. I have no issue with people celebrating their holidays!

[jimnyc]

Why are they singing Silent Night in the first place?

Tradition. Next best song after The Little Drummer Boy!! :)

[jimnyc]

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.


Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glory streams from heaven afar
Heavenly, hosts sings Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.


That's it, I'm offended!! :beer:

[revelarts]

Dragon your right but you missed some



Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.


Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glory streams from heaven afar
Heavenly, hosts sings Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

[jimnyc]

Dragon your right but you missed some

Are you saying that Dragon stripped out some words so as not to offend others? :poke:

[revelarts]

Are you saying that Dragon stripped out some words so as not to offend others? :poke:

heh,
no, he didn't underline some of the horrible offensive words,
"REDEEMING" "GRACE", "VIRGIN"
them words make vampires head for the hills man.

[jimnyc]

heh,
no, he didn't underline some of the horrible offensive words,
"REDEEMING" "GRACE", "VIRGIN"
them words make vampires head for the hills man.

Those words are cool - just don't DARE say Jesus, savior, Christ or Lord. :)

[revelarts]

Those words are cool - just don't DARE say Jesus, savior, Christ or Lord. :)

Jesus Christ Savior and Lord, the new Nuke Bomb of personal Offense.

but i think your underestimating the offense of the other words.


Redeeming
presumed horrible offense:
"I Don't NEED no Stinking "REDEEMING". Your Shoving your blood religion DOWN MY Throat! AHHHH I can't hear you SPEAK of IT to me ahhhh!"

Grace
presumed horrible offense:
"Grace? My Good works out weight my bad, I'm a GOOD person!!! I don't need your so called 'grace', from your hate filled God. If there really is a god she knows my heart and loves me and everyone!! Unlike YOU bigots!! And what about Lesbian Palestinian women transsexuals whov'e had abortions, hmmm!?!"


Virgin
presumed horrible offense:
"It's NONE of your Business! what oh! Yes well, Mary was probably Raped anyway by a roman soldier. You people are so repressed and hypocritical, sex is a good thing and the promotion of virginity is overrated, oppressive and IMPOSSIBLE. LOLOLOLOL! 'Holy virgin', it's an slap in the face of all good young unwed mothers doing the best they can for their 'HOLY family'. Stop spewing your puritanical hateful nonsense at me.... AHHHH it burns it buuurns!"


or something like that i'd guess

[tailfins]

Yep, here we go again. "Christ" removed from their "holiday" concert. Sickening that people feel the need to rewrite history and rewrite songs, so as not to offend others. It's amazing, when I was in school from the late 70's to the mid-80's, there were TONS of CHRISTMAS concerts in the schools and they NEVER had a single word removed or changed. No one complained and everyone enjoyed the awesome holiday season. Today? We live in a culture where complaining and being offended are things people do in order to completely remove things they don't like. And SO many scream "tolerance" these days, about SO many causes and groups, but there's no tolerance anymore for Christmas.



http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/school-omits-39-christ-39-39-silent-night-193900497.html

Call it by it's real name: DESECRATION

I wonder what would happen if the someone led students to sing the last verse of our National Anthem



O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

[DragonStryk72]

heh,
no, he didn't underline some of the horrible offensive words,
"REDEEMING" "GRACE", "VIRGIN"
them words make vampires head for the hills man.

lol, I forgot to underline Virgin, mother and child, I admit.

Grace and Redeeming are vague enough that they're not a dead giveaway, but here's the thing: Why didn't they just use another song? I mean, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bell Rock, there are a whole slew of non-religious Christmas and holiday songs already out there. Why not use them, instead of sacking one of the great classic hymns of Christmas?

[CSM]

Seems to me that if you strip out certain words that the song is no longer "Silent Night" but I don't know what the heck the name would be then. It I laughable though. As an experiment, try singing Old McDonald without the E-I-E-O ... it sure isn't the same song!

[fj1200]

Seems to me that if you strip out certain words that the song is no longer "Silent Night" but I don't know what the heck the name would be then. It I laughable though. As an experiment, try singing Old McDonald without the E-I-E-O ... it sure isn't the same song!

Actually I think it's more like B-I-N-G-O. Just clap your hands each time a bit of Christ comes out of Christmas.

[CSM]

..... Just clap your hands each time a bit of Christ comes out of Christmas.

I am almost certain that anti-Christians do exactly that!

[fj1200]

I am almost certain that anti-Christians do exactly that!

:(

[jafar00]

Actually I think it's more like B-I-N-G-O. Just clap your hands each time a bit of Christ comes out of Christmas.

The pagans just want their Yuletide, Saturnalia etc... back ;)

[CSM]

The pagans just want their Yuletide, Saturnalia etc... back ;)

Frankly, no one is stopping them from celebrating any way they want. Not a lot of call for Saturnalia presents though...maybe because there are that many Saturnalians?