The Christmas grinches are out in force, especially in the school districts. Last week in Yonkers, New York a school superintendent gave orders to remove all Hanukkah Menorahs, Christmas trees and certain holiday decorations. Students and parents alike were in shock, as they literally had to tear everything off the walls including the children's artwork. Steve Frey, president of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, said it has always been a tradition for teachers to use religious holidays to teach and express the uniqueness of different religions and cultures in the diverse district of 26,000 students. Frey said, "There ought to be an explanation given to the community, teachers and ultimately the students. Students are going to be asking questions."

Meanwhile, World Net Daily has reported that in New York, Andrea Skoros, has filed suit against the City of New York, Department of Education Chancellor Joel I. Klein, and "another school official" who was not identified - alleging that New York City public schools is discriminatory against the Christian religion. Skoros and her children are Roman Catholic. Last year she requested a Nativity scene to be displayed along with the Jewish Menorah and the Islamic symbols but her plea was dismissed .The Thomas More Law Center said the districts policy "unlawfully discriminates against Christians because it prohibits the display of Nativity scenes in public schools during Christmas. Yet the district permits and encourages the display of the Jewish Menorah and the Islamic Star and Crescent. Published accounts said the NYC school district allows only "secular holiday symbols." They have conveniently decided that the Menorah and Star and Crescent are secular symbols, when in fact they are well known religious symbols.

Richard Thompson, lead attorney for the Thomas More Law Center, said the policy shows an "indifference" and "hostility" to Christians during their most holy season. Thompson said, "It is ironic that a religion enjoying the largest following in this nation is consigned by the city of New York to a least-favored status. It's a shame that we have reached a point in our nations history that 'respect for diverse beliefs and customs' has come to mean discrimination against Christians - at Christmas time, no less."

Christmas is a Federal holiday? Christmas is the day this country always celebrated the birth of Jesus, in our schools and communities. This is the reason for the traditional Christmas vacation. Of course it is now referred to as "winter holiday." When school districts or anyone else tell us that we cannot display Christian symbols, and we cower to their demands, we are in fact helping to wipe away our own heritage. Each year they whittle away just a little more at our Christian traditions and we act as if we do not have a choice. 

We do have a choice! Parents should yank their kids out of these schools as fast as they can get there. And we can refuse to go along with the insanity of banning and stifling religion in the public square. Some schools and businesses have even said no to Santa, Christmas trees, and the exchanging of gifts. Last year a Christmas parade in Southern California eliminated Santa. This year the country of Australia banned Santa. I can understand why some people are against Jesus, but why Ole St. Nick? Santa Claus and the Christmas tree have nothing to do with religion. Ah! But yes! The agenda is to erase Christmas from the face of the Earth. Eventually, "winter holidays" (or Ramadan) will be the official label. Merchandisers will still sell holiday gifts and decorate with secular trimmings. They may even continue to play Frosty the Snowman, but Silent Night will be just that - silent. 

Thirty years ago Americans would have been up in arms, taking to the streets and letting their voices be heard at the idea of eliminating Christmas. The American Christian is on a hit list! We must stop putting our tails between our legs and hanging our defeated heads. Evil and immorality are protected in the name of "freedom of expression" but warm fuzzy Santa, glittering trees and the Savior of the World are banned? I encourage you to display a Nativity scene wherever possible. This is still a place called America and I intend to live as if I am free. And I will not be intimidated in to saying "happy holidays" when I feel like shouting "Merry Christmas." Shout it with me - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

April Shenandoah is the author of So Help Me God! An Inspired Letter/Book addressed to President Clinton. Since serving as the Los Angeles press contact for Pat Robertson's presidential campaign Shenandoah has researched and gathered material pertinent to the "changing" world we live in.. Her weekly column Politics & Religion appears in the Tolucan Times in Los Angeles, CA. She sits on the board of The National Council for Bible Curriculum in Public Schools, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina and ABC-Learn, Inc., in San Fernando, California. 

April Shenandoah

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