Published by KBN See Action News reporter – Marc Urbach
Students will perform the play “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at W.R. Castle Elementary School this week, but the scene that sees Linus’ quoting from the Bible will be censored. Jeff Cochran, principal of W.R. Castle Elementary School in Johnson County, said all religious references in the play must be removed. The play will take place this Thursday, but the scene in which the character Linus quotes from the Bible will be deleted as a result of a single complaint against the play’s religious references.
Censorship and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” have a long history. Charles Schulz wanted to include the passage from Luke but the producers were extremely hesitant, asking him to remove the passage fearing a backlash. Schultz held his ground and the passage was left in, to the delight of millions who continue to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” during the last fifty years.
“It’s a disgrace that a Bible verse is being removed because of one single complaint. What about everyone else who didn’t complain? The passage Linus quotes is Luke 2:8-24, and it’s not only the central message of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ it’s the central message of Christmas. Look, I’m an Orthodox Jew and I’m completely fine with Bible verses being used in an elementary school play because I believe in freedom OF religion, not freedom from it,” says independent scholar and author, Marc Alan Urbach.
“I’m tired of Christians being bullied because of the continued misinterpretation of the First Amendment. The so-called separation of church and state is a metaphor that has undermined the freedom of religious expression the Framers sought to legally protect. As former Chief Justice Rehnquist said, “There is simply no historical foundation for the proposition that the framers intended to build the “wall of separation” that was constituted in Everson….But the greatest injury of the “wall” notion is its mischievous diversions of judges from the actual intentions of the drafters of the Bill of Rights….The “wall of separation between Church and State” is a metaphor based on bad history—a metaphor which has proved useless as a guide to judging. It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned….Our perception has not been clouded by the Constitution, but by the mist of an unnecessary metaphor.” I could not agree more!!
Marc says that principal Cochran is caving to political correctness. “By removing the Bible verse the principal is favoring atheism over Christianity and in my opinion, he’s endorsing a religion. Shame on him for being the scrooge this season.” “Even Thomas Jefferson would be appalled. Who said, “No power over the freedom of religion…..is delegated to the United States by the Constitution.”
Interesting question; is the federal government’s recognition of Christmas Constitutional? Yes, according to Ganulin v. U.S., 71. It should have never gone to court because the true meaning of the First Amendment is “Congress” cannot create an official church for the nation or “Congress” cannot establish one denomination of Christianity for the nation and the people are free to practice their religion without interference by the federal government. So when did Christmas become a federal holiday?
In 1870 the government of the United States recognized Christmas as a federal holiday.
I am completely fine and dandy with Christmas being celebrated in America. WHY? Because it is such a beautiful holiday as families are cheerful and in such a loving mood. People buy gifts for their children and many people donate their time and money to charitable causes. My 93-year old aunt who grew up in New Jersey during the Great Depression told me, “I loved seeing all the lights over my small town. People were so happy back then.”
I agree, as I love driving around seeing all the lights covering people’s homes. It is such a joyous time right now. Thank G-d I live in a Christian nation where all people are free to practice their religion. I feel very much safe and welcome in the United States. Even though I do not celebrate the holiday, I have tremendous respect and love toward my Christian brothers and sisters who do. At this Christmas time all of us must realize that we have tremendous greatness in America and many problems. Let us all seek to do good and reform our nation. May all Christians instill their savior Jesus Christ in their hearts and have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.
PS. Don’t let the Charlie Brown play upset you, righteous Americans are going to bring this country back in the right direction.
The Story of Christmas
Luke 2: 8-14 King James Version (KJV) 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
