Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rambi who wrote (14403)	12/22/1997 10:57:00 AM
From: Grainne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Good morning, Miss Penni, and happy holidays!!! I think we did have this religious argument last year, but on a different thread--I think I remember reading about it on Minute Subjects. I guess I will throw my two cents in here, since it was me who posted the article to Del you are answering, and just say that there is a huge difference between enjoying religious music and being exposed to it at public schools, or at civic performances. I might even go to Mass this Christmas (I will have to leave my pointy black hat at home, obviously), because my brother is performing the music and I would like to hear him play, and also because I think it is important to teach children to be respectful of different religions and how to behave in sacred places. The difference is that I am CHOOSING to hear religious music, which I also think can be incredibly beautiful. It is a little hard to explain how alienating and confusing it is for a non-Christian child to be exposed to this at school, however. There is enormous social pressure in most of America to BE Christian, and it is a very difficult issue because music has taken a hit as a symbol of Christianity as the society sorts out how to be fairer to non-Christians. I think it is possibly for an adult hearing the Messiah to enjoy the gift the artist gives us without being Christian, but I think it may be more difficult for a child. I would love it if more cultures shared their sacred music, incidentally, and this inclusive approach to holiday times seems very joyous. I just would like to preserve the separation of church and state, and perhaps after this is not such a new concept in America, we will do it much less awkwardly. I think this gets into something even deeper--what are we celebrating at Christmas? Christians are celebrating the birth of Christ, but pagans and atheists find quite a lot to celebrate in all of the feasting, gift giving, the lighted trees and candles and decorations, all of which come from ancient, pre-Christian times as man struggled to stay cheerful at the darkest time of year. Santa is, of course, pagan, and I still believe in Him, so please don't tell me he isn't real!!!!! We are baking cookies today for his arrival, and stocking up on hot chocolate!!! Hey, it is so nice to see you posting over here!! Please drop by and have a nice cup of cocoa, and you can laugh while I sing badly!!!

To: Rambi who wrote (14403)	12/22/1997 11:29:00 PM
From: Krowbar	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Hi miss penni, If I remember correctly you sing at those concerts don't you? I would like to hear you sing or play an instrument or whatever. I am not talking about forbidding Christian music at the holiday concerts here. The last one that I attended was at least 90% Christian and even included Christian songs that had nothing to do with Christmas like "How great Thou art". We are talking about the choir here. The choir director is very religious and she uses religious songs year 'round. Our principal hands out Bibles in front of the school to students as they arrive at school. The football coach requires the players to pray before each game and practice or they are off of the team. I would like to hear music from different faiths but I have never heard them at a public school, have you? Do you seriously think that a half dozen Muslim songs could be sung at a public school without all hell breaking loose? What is wrong with the religious songs being sung in one of the many tax exempt cathedrals that Dallas has, where the sound would be much better, and the audience chose to be there? Are you saying that the only worthwhile Christmas music is Christian? Come on now miss penni, I'm not a music expert, but surely there is good secular stuff out there. How about that one by "Alvin and the Chipmunks" for instance? Del