‘Rudolph’ causes stir at school
Poor Rudolph, no more reindeer games for him…
The offended parent was Jewish and objected to the word ‘Christmas’ in the song. The funny detail in this story (well, at least funny to me) is that ‘Rudolph the Red-Noses Reindeer’ was written by Johnny Marks, a Jewish-American songwriter, who had a successful career with several Christmas Songs to his credit.
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ causes stir at school
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” caused a stir at a New Hanover County school. A parent complained about the song’s religious reference and got it pulled from her child’s kindergarten Christmas show at Murrayville Elementary School.
The song was pulled “because it had the word Christmas in it,” said Rick Holliday, assistant school superintendent.
A Jewish mother, who didn’t want her name published, objected to what she called “religious overtones” in the song. So the principal agreed to pull it from the program.
School administrators said they were then flooded with complaints from other angry parents.
“I would say it’s not a very religious song. It’s about Santa Claus,” parent Anne Vanslyke said.
School board members, administrators and attorneys listened closely to the song’s lyrics and decided the song was secular.
“Rudolph is a secular song. It was about a flying reindeer, not a religious symbol,” Holliday said.
Many parents shouted out with glee when they heard the song was back in the program.
“I think it’s great that they let the kids sing because all the kids love that song,” Vanslyke said.
Any student who objects to singing a Christmas song or attending a program can decline participation and will not be penalized, according to school administrators.
“We do try to be cognizant of everyone’s feelings,” Holliday said.
School administrations also decided that for future concerts, religious songs can be included, as long as other faiths are represented as well.
Also of interest:
Anyone so hung up by even the word “Christmas” should be required to work on Christmas Day. We’re a secular nation now, so maybe we should just make December 25 like the Jewish holidays: if you’re an observant Christian, stay home and go to church services. Otherwise be at your workstation bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 9 a.m. Think of the benefits: no more shopping, no more covers of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, no more seasonal affective disorder. Ironically, this may refocus attention on the true meaning of the feast day.
I’m in the minority in that while I like to remember the true meaning of Christmas, I have no problem with the commercialization of the holiday.
I have to tell you, I am deeply offended by Commander Craig’s reference to Saint Nicholas, or “Santa Claus,” as the name has been corrupted! I thought this was a secular blog, open to all, but I see now that it exists to shamelessly promote the Saints of the Christian Faith!
I applaud Murrayville, and would like to suggest the following substitution: “then one foggy HOLIDAY eve, A FICTIONAL CHARACTER came to say: Rudolph with your nose so bright,” etc. Think of the emotional trauma that would spare countless future kindergarteners!
True, Christmas does have quite the traumatic side to it, especially for the pathologically aesthetic.