Region 16 School District: No To Muslim Holidays

I agree that this is an appropriate policy - as long as ALL religions are similarly treated. That would mean that Christmas, Good Friday and any other religious holiday be treated similarly. Schools should not be closed, but students should be allowed excused absences.

Good - schools get too many days off as is.

The story is disappointing. I don't doubt that the current policy is legal but whether it's a good or reasonable policy would depend on what's NOT in the story: what are the demographics of these schools, what is the history of the proposal, how many students would be affected, have they identified ways in which the current policy as applied disadvantages or inconveniences them. In short, we don't have enough information to determine if the outcome is reasonable or not.

Hurrah!! About time for some intelligent decisions. Most "religious" holidays are not given off. Christmas is the 1 exception and most people celebrating today aren't doing it for Christ, they are doing it for Santa Claus. So let us keep this in perspective. If you give 'em these days off, then the Jews, Kwanziians, Wiccans, and every other religion will want "their" special days off also. In fact, the schools would only be open about 10 days a year.

If every religious group demanded and received days off for religious events, there would be no days left in the calendar year for work or school.

We often forget that the foundation religion of the country is Christian. If you go to Ireland or France there are no Jewish school holidays as in the U.S. When the population's religion changes to the level where the majority or 'good amount' of kids are out of school on the last day of Ramadan, THEN I think the calendar should be modified. However, today, the majority of kids would be out on Christmas day. Don't forget the other 'major' religions like Hindu and Buddhism.

Imagine No Religion wrote:

I agree that this is an appropriate policy - as long as ALL religions are similarly treated. That would mean that Christmas, Good Friday and any other religious holiday be treated similarly. Schools should not be closed, but students should be allowed excused absences.

Precisely. The government shall not establish religion; choosing one religion to honor is then unacceptable. In Connecticut Good Friday is magically not a religious holiday, since the Assembly knows quite well it would be unacceptable. Instead, we pretend.

There would need to one exception: in many districts, the days off are not a function of honoring a religion. It's a practical matter: if you have a large number of teachers who take a personal day to attend religious services of whatever denomination or faith, you can reach a point where there are not enough substitute teachers to keep the school open.

Two Good Hands wrote:

The story is disappointing. I don't doubt that the current policy is legal but whether it's a good or reasonable policy would depend on what's NOT in the story: what are the demographics of these schools, what is the history of the proposal, how many students would be affected, have they identified ways in which the current policy as applied disadvantages or inconveniences them. In short, we don't have enough information to determine if the outcome is reasonable or not.

Nothing is stopping you from going to the town websites to look up the demographics of these schools. Stop complaining.

CJTalker wrote:

We often forget that the foundation religion of the country is Christian. If you go to Ireland or France there are no Jewish school holidays as in the U.S. When the population's religion changes to the level where the majority or 'good amount' of kids are out of school on the last day of Ramadan, THEN I think the calendar should be modified. However, today, the majority of kids would be out on Christmas day. Don't forget the other 'major' religions like Hindu and Buddhism.

The foundation of this country is freedom, including freedom from the "tyranny of the majority".

CT A wrote:

<quoted text>
The foundation of this country is freedom, including freedom from the "tyranny of the majority".

When having a school closed (or open) for a day prevents you from practicing your religion, I will agree. Until then this was a sound decision.

Imo, religion should be practiced quietly. When so-called religious persons or groups start demanding this and that with the threat of lawsuit, I feel this falls more along the lines of envy and strife then being holy.

We all must give account for our short may-fly existence on this planet. Don't spent your days complaining about stuff because it doesn't really matter. Be happy and serve one another.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Imagine No Religion wrote:

I agree that this is an appropriate policy - as long as ALL religions are similarly treated. That would mean that Christmas, Good Friday and any other religious holiday be treated similarly. Schools should not be closed, but students should be allowed excused absences.

Christmas and Good Friday are legal holidays. If Muslims can convince the Congress or the General Assembly to make Ramalamadingdong a legal holiday then the Boards of Education won't be faced with this issue.

CT A wrote:

<quoted text>
The foundation of this country is freedom, including freedom from the "tyranny of the majority".

Uuuuh, what amendment to the U.S. Constitution contains that?

CJTalker wrote:

We often forget that the foundation religion of the country is Christian. If you go to Ireland or France there are no Jewish school holidays as in the U.S. When the population's religion changes to the level where the majority or 'good amount' of kids are out of school on the last day of Ramadan, THEN I think the calendar should be modified. However, today, the majority of kids would be out on Christmas day. Don't forget the other 'major' religions like Hindu and Buddhism.

I think you and I end up in the same place - when a good number of kids and families are being inconvenienced by the policy as it is presently applied, then they should add other religious holidays to the list as appropriate.

I disagree only that the United States has a "foundation religion." The history and personal backgrounds of the founders are what they are, but the choice to adopt a constitution that prohibits state-sponsored religion precludes the possibility that one could support any policy by referring to the "foundation religion."

As Salaam Alaikum,
The arricle that I've read, was, and is, unIslamic! Ramadan is a beautiful holiday for the entire Muslim communities. These Non-
Muslims, think this world is THERES! NO IT'S NOT! Everything belongs to Allah! Holidays, and all! Its the time for all Believers to come together during this special month. Even when its over, we STILL come togther. They know this. There is no excuse. NONE!

We are a Christian nation contrary to what the t thought police want you to believe, so the decision falls in line with our national norm, Christians

They can take the day off on their own. It's good to see some common sense being applied.

Fatima Ahmid wrote:

As Salaam Alaikum,
The arricle that I've read, was, and is, unIslamic! Ramadan is a beautiful holiday for the entire Muslim communities. These Non-
Muslims, think this world is THERES! NO IT'S NOT! Everything belongs to Allah! Holidays, and all! Its the time for all Believers to come together during this special month. Even when its over, we STILL come togther. They know this. There is no excuse. NONE!

This country was founded on christain principals. This may not be OUR world, but this IS OUR country. Celebrate your holidays, stay home, but don't push an agenda on the populous. By saying "everything belongs to Allah," that is exacxtly what you are attempting to do. You are not entitled. No one is stopping you from celebrating any of your holidays. Celebrate in peace. And where is it written that the article was supposed to be Islamic?

Get Real wrote:

<quoted text>This country was founded on christain principals. This may not be OUR world, but this IS OUR country. Celebrate your holidays, stay home, but don't push an agenda on the populous. By saying "everything belongs to Allah," that is exacxtly what you are attempting to do. You are not entitled. No one is stopping you from celebrating any of your holidays. Celebrate in peace. And where is it written that the article was supposed to be Islamic?

"Allah" is Arabic for "God". Arabic-speaking christians also refer to God as Allah.