All Ages Should Holiday's be taught in school?

H.C. Heartland

Legacy Member
I have battled with this subject for some time. It is understandable that religion is not taught in school until the social studies ages. However, it has always bothered me that holidays are still a strong feature in public education. Holidays are religious and so I do not understand why a child who may not celebrate that holiday must color a photo of Santa when they could very well color a winter scene and thus in the process learn about the science behind the seasons. What is your opinion? And have you found methods to incorporate more productive learning in your class rooms?
 
You have a very strong argument on that topic and I have never looked at in that light before. Yes I have struggled with that as well in school and it has never stopped. Many of what is taught is strongly influence by a developed system that is full of traditions that are deeply religiously rooted in paganism. Many would deem it disrespectful or even rude to not discontinue the trend of their ancestors.( lying to kids that Sata is going to bring presents if their nice).With that understanding we must tactful express our concerns and move on. We cannot change it though we may try.
 
Holidays do not primarily center around religion. Many have nothing to do with religion and other are intertwined with religion. Holidays, for the most part, is primarily cultural. Like for instance, since you mentioned him, Santa Claus. Santa Claus comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas but there are several different cultures who adopted this "character" to describe someone who was very giving. Even Christmas spans more cultural than religious even though religion placed its mark on it. Christmas was known as Yule to the pagan communities and was the celebration of the changing of the seasons from fall to winter (it was originally celebrated on December 22). Pagan religions utilized this day as the Death of the Goddess and the Resurrection of the God, who ruled over the winter. Then Christianity came and they moved the date to December 25 and pronounced it the birth of Christ when in fact Christ was born in the Spring, if I remember correctly.

So holidays do not necessarily (and their symbols) have to do with religion. Perhaps it would be better if instead of just teaching them through coloring Santa pictures, they were actually taught the history behind the holidays it would be more acceptable?
 
I don't have a problem with season lesson plans ,but I think that holidays should be left to the students family's. Even though many holidays are rooted in pagan origins those same holidays have been accepted as religious celebration for some.What some see as fun tradition others have strong beliefs about. Pointing out the pagan origins of these holidays could offend some and stir up trouble. Some students do not celebrate these holidays due to their pagan origin and adding them in to the lesson plan will leave they out. It is best to keep holidays out of the school.
 
I struggle with this as well. I completely agree with you. Some people are upset that religion has been taken out of schools i.e. praying, God, etc. Its not that religion has been taken out of schools, its more about which religion is being forced upon our children. Santa, especially, does not belong in the classroom. During this season, I think we all can agree that the emphasis should focus on family. Make the "holidays" about family!
 
The bottom line is that "Christmas" and "religion" has been donned to be offensive to those who have chosen not to observe and or participate in them. They've come together with enough strength to make it so controversial which brought about the change in schools here in the U. S. The only way, if ever, it will change back is when 'enough' people come together with even 'more' strength.
 
Yes, but to an extent. I think that in public schools kids should have holiday parties, and incorporate aspects of all religious holidays into them, not just one specific holiday. Of course celebrating regular American holidays is fine as well.
 
I don't see why holidays can't be included as part of the social studies in school. It should be a part of the curriculum when you cover a country and its culture. In the states they cover pretty much every holiday that comes up through the year by reading story books to kids and doing arts and crafts. Sometimes, when possible, teachers will even bring food to try. I think it is good cultural immersion.
 
I think holidays are not always religious. For instance, there's Independence day, National Hero day, Chinese New Year and all those kinds of holidays. In a way, they are there to celebrate other events, not just a religion's belief. And students can learn a great deal about holidays as well. Like the National Hero day which we celebrate our hero's achievements and like Independence day which we celebrate the day that we became free from oppressors. As long as the students know the reason behind that holiday, it's fine for me.
 
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