{"id":1539,"date":"2012-12-17T15:50:38","date_gmt":"2012-12-17T23:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogschapman.wpenginepowered.com\/education\/2012\/12\/17\/how-should-i-treat-religious-holidays-in-the-classroom\/"},"modified":"2012-12-17T15:50:38","modified_gmt":"2012-12-17T23:50:38","slug":"how-should-i-treat-religious-holidays-in-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/education\/2012\/12\/17\/how-should-i-treat-religious-holidays-in-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"How should I treat religious holidays in the classroom?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The month of December is always a festive time of year. Walk into any store and it is a holiday assault on the senses.\u00a0 Music, displays, food, and countless messages make it very clear.\u00a0 We live in a nation that is predominantly Christian.\u00a0 This fact has made it challenging to maintain the ideals put forth in the First Amendment\u2019s- the separation of religion and government.<\/p>\n

Most of us can easily recall Christmas pageants where auditoriums would be filled with video-taping parents, eager to capture their children singing carols and playing the part of Rudolph or Scrooge.\u00a0 Also abundant were the handmade ornaments- kindergartners\u00a0hand-prints\u00a0 funky spools converted into little drums, and glitter galore. To attempt a balance, attempts to include Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are made.<\/p>\n

Many traditions cross the boundaries of culture and religion. School calendars revolve around Christian celebrations, forcing some children to work out a schedule of their own. \u00a0As educators, we must ask ourselves if we are marginalizing students who do not celebrate religious holidays that have gained a prominent place in our curriculum. To this end, I am sharing some resources that all teachers must reference. So much information is a click away! \u00a0But first, here is an excerpt from the Freedom Forum:<\/p>\n

How should I treat religious holidays in the classroom?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Teachers must be alert to the distinction between teaching about religious holidays, which is permissible, and celebrating religious holidays, which is not. Recognition of and information about holidays may focus on how and when they are celebrated, their origins, histories and generally agreed-upon meanings. If the approach is objective and sensitive, neither promoting nor inhibiting religion, this study can foster understanding and mutual respect for differences in belief. Teachers may not use the study of religious holidays as an opportunity to proselytize or otherwise inject personal\u00a0religious\u00a0beliefs into the discussion.<\/p>\n

The use of religious symbols, provided they are used only as examples of cultural or religious heritage, is\u00a0permissible\u00a0as a teaching aid or resource. Religious symbols may be displayed only on a temporary basis as part of the academic lesson being studied. Students may choose to create artwork with religious symbols, but teachers should not assign or\u00a0suggest\u00a0such creations.<\/p>\n

The use of art, drama, music or literature with religious themes is permissible if it serves a sound educational goal in the curriculum. Such themes should be included on the basis of their academic or aesthetic value, not as a vehicle for promoting religious belief. For example, sacred music may be sung or played as part of the academic study of music. School concerts that present a variety of selections may include\u00a0religious\u00a0music. Concerts should avoid programs dominated by religious music, especially when these coincide with a\u00a0particular\u00a0religious holiday.<\/p>\n

This advice about religious holidays in public schools is based on consensus guidelines adopted by 18 educational and religious organizations.<\/p>\n

To download a Teacher\u2019s Guide to Religion in the Public Schools, I urge all teachers to visit:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.freedomforum.org\/publications\/first\/teachersguide\/teachersguide.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Useful Resources on Religion in the Schools and Religious Diversity for Educators <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Project Interfaith, 2010<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Anti- Defamation League (ADL)- Religion in the Public School<\/a><\/p>\n