Do you think that religious symbolism and christmas should be censored in the public schools the way it is?

Religious symbolism shouldn't be censored in public schools as long as it's the private property of students. Anything beyond that, such as displaying said items in the halls or in classrooms, is completely innapropriate and unconstitutional.

It's NOT censored when a child wears or brings in something. That's a conservative myth. The only thing that is prohibited is school, teacher, or staff endorsed religious displays or discussion.

The school itself must prohibit religious symbols if they are displayed BY the school- they are not censored if a child say wears a religious or Christmas tshirt.

I've never heard an example of censoring of a child's religious expression unless that child was preaching to others, disrupting class, or getting the school or staff involved.

Well until the Fundies stop harping on the "evils" of Halloween and ban it from our schools here, then Christmas should be censored.

It wasn't always that way but it's always the fundies who have a fit. When the schools added songs about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Yule to the holiday festivities, they were the first ones claiming they were being persecuted. And that was 5 years after they had Halloween banned from the schools.

I don't want to see what happened in communist China happen here... we don't need to smash all the old Christian stuff and white-wash it from our history. I think destroying relics of the past is a crime in and of it's self. I do not want to teach Do I want my kids preached at during school? No, and for the most past, even when I went to school this was not an issue. If there happens to be a bible verse, or a poem, or a prayer on the wall in a school... and it's there because of it's historical significance then let it stay. If the school wants to add something *new* to the school with the same message... then they should find a secular source that says that same thing.

I think the only thing that's not good about religious symbols in a public school is when teachers wear them, because their instrumental authority as educators puts their religion in a very high platform and could be interpreted to the children as a true religion simply because the person of authority is promoting it - and that's something to be avoided to stop the deceit of credulous children

No, religious symbolism is healthy art: it reminds people of wholesome ideas and feelings.

Celebrating traditional holidays such as Christmas is fun, not only for those celebrating the birth of Jesus, but also for others. People who are not Christian put up decorations as reminders of Washington's, Lincoln's and Columbus' birthdays, so why not celebrate Jesus birthday too - no harm done.

I think it's stupid that people censor religious symobolism, but "have the right" to irresponsible reporting on secular issues.

You're correct- there are no laws against it. But, in Abington vs Schempp, the Supreme Court ruled against adult-led organized religious activities in schools.

Children may wear crosses (or whatever), pray on their own, have prayer groups and religious clubs, but they may not be coerced by adults in the school.

There is no persecution of any faith here. It's the 1st Amendment at work, protecting us all.

I like festive lights, stars, snowmen holly evergreen trees, white red and green decorative motifs. But I think it is quite clear when these things cross the line into religious symbolism and should be confined to private property and purchased, maintained and illuminated with private rather than public funds. I would hope that common sense would dictate where that line is but for theists it does not so we need laws to help them they are like children who keep pushing their boundaries, they are self-centered and they seem to have failed to mature so it is the responsibility of society to help them to conform to rules they cannot understand.

I think respect for teachers should be enforced. I think respect for fellow students should be enforced. I think the purpose of school as a place of education and socialization for a plural society should be enforced.

To the extent that censorship and restrictions on speech are required, I'm fine with it. Students are guaranteed free speech, but not free audiences. Think whatever you want on campus. Vocalize or demonstrate it off-campus.

The maturity level of the student, should be taken into consideration. Restrictions on 9 year olds are not required for 17 year olds. (theoretically)

People these days especially atheist do not know how to tolerate other and how to live together, they get offended by everything and then try to impose their will on government laws to ban such things. Christmas is a christian holiday that some people celebrate and will proudly decorate for, if some one doesn't like this and can't tolerate others celebrating it then they should move to a place without any christians. In this country we have freedom of expression just ask gay people what happens they're not allowed to express themselves, it sucks. If you're christian or muslim or jew you should be able to express it if you want.