Never

My daughter had her choir concert at school tonight. Yes, that would be *public* school. The 5th and 6th grade choir and handbell choir had finished a fine albeit short performance. Then the 4th grade choir and handchimes performed. Out of 8 songs, #4 were religious. They sang "Two by Two" which was a song about Noah's ark, a medley of patriot songs which included America the Beautiful and chimed "Jesus Loves Me, This I know", and "Faith of Our Fathers". Now those last two were the ones that really surprised me. I mean, how religious can you get in school?
Like Gary P said in his post, am I too sensitive or what?

dangin

If I sat through that, I would be writing letters to the school board, the principal, and the choir director. With CC'd letters to all of them that I sent to the ACLU two weeks later if there was no response.

Jewel

This was a public school performance?!? I'd take dangin's advice. And if you speak to any school officials on the phone or in person, keep good records of who you talked to and what was said and of course the date and time of the conversation. If a lawsuit were to come of this, then the information would come in handy,

Ab_Normal

"Jesus Loves Me" and "Faith of our Fathers"? 50% of the music Christian in nature? No, you're not being too sensitive. Go get 'em!

Never

I agree with what you all are saying. However, I've never done anything like that before. I wonder if my children will get any kind of backlash if I complain. Also, while I had to listen to it, all the religious songs were done by the 4th grade. My child was in the 5th grade choir which has a different director and they did no religious songs. Just all the 4th graders for whom choir is a required subject. So if I had a 4th grade student I would have more of a leg to complain on if you will because my child would have been required to learn religious songs.
As it is, is it worth it for me, a parent whose child was not in that class, to complain and risk bad feelings from the powers that be towards my children?
Yet I also feel strongly that they were way over the separation of church and state line.
I hate decisions.

beekay

I would have to say that the issue is not about you and if you were offended. The issue is that kids in a public school are required to sing blatantly religious songs. Your child didn't have to sing those particular songs, but I imagine he was still present to hear them.

I completely understand not wanting to rock the boat because of your child. Perhaps you could politely question the choir teacher to find out why those songs were selected. What secular musical/instructional value did they have? Just ask questions without actually complaining to start with.

I think making your complaint heard is important, though. Fear is what keeps people "in their place." A tactful, reasoned, unemotional approach is the way to go. Any anger or threats or lawsuits right off the bat are what will cause problems. If you aren't foaming at the mouth and raving mad (like many parents are when angered by something the school has done) then you are likely to be taken more seriously without much fear of you or your child facing hassle.

And strike while the iron is hot. If you do act, do it soon.

GaryP

I would suggest NOT saying anything to anybody locally, but go directly to Americans United.

If you let it be known that you are upset, you and your children may be in for quite a bit of discomfort.

My mistake a few years ago was writing a letter to my mayor asking for equal space with the town's Nativity Scene.

The city did not have the decency to communicate with me directly and suddenly called a town meeting RE this lousy ATHEIST (local screaming headline) who wanted to get RID of the creche. I didn't realize that all communication with public officials become public domain. So when the media asked who this wildman was, the city legally had to give them my name.

If I had stayed anonymous my family and I would have been spared the onslaught and the same result would have occured.

In contrast, I did write to the local school officials about the policy with churches. They sent me a copy of said policy and I sent it to Americans United. And at least some of the problems were solved without all the media hoop-la and distortions.

You can go to http://www.au.org/legal/allnonlitigation.htm#2000 to see a description of what AU did for Lancaster (ther's 1 in 1999 & 1 in 2000) without any litigation taking place.

So perhaps the Nativity Scene was bad because of the Xmas emotionalism, but to be safer, I would seek help from Americans United first.

Note; The OH ACLU, IMO, suck. I have tried writing to them (if you call, you get a message basically saying , Get your own lawyer) they will send you a form letter saying they don't take cases unless it would make new case law. Well, what the hell do you do if your community is ignoring that case law?

Anyhow, good luck, If you want to pursue it and would like the address of the lawyer I communicate with at AU, why don't you PM me and I will send you her e-mail.

dangin

Is the discomfort worth sitting by and letting this slide? Maybe, and taking your kids into account is a real concern that no one can fault you for.

But. . ."All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing."
-- Edmund Burke