What Robin said. Plus, how cute was it that they all gathered together to watch Larry blast off?

Interesting article about how some schools are trying to figure out what holiday symbols are OK to display, and which aren't. [link]

The Yorktown policy identifies specific religious symbols, which it says “include, but are not limited to, star of David, crèche, cross, Buddha, crucifix and menorah with candles or lights,” and says that such symbols are to be used primarily for educational purposes in the classroom.

“Holiday cultural symbols” — defined as those with no religious significance themselves but which are associated with a particular religion, like Santa Claus, menorahs without candles or lights, star and crescent, candy canes and dreidels — may be used for decorative purposes elsewhere in schools.

The distinction between a menorah with candles and one without candles is interesting.

I didn't think that the Star of David, properly speaking, was a religious symbol -- more of a cultural/ethnic symbol. I thought Hebrew religious symbols would be more like the Tetragrammaton, prayer shawls, menorahs, yarmulkas and like that.

I expect my definition of religious symbology derives from "if a vampire would recoil from it"...

I think a yarmulke would definitely be a cultural symbol, more than a religious one. The religious commandment is just for men to cover their heads -- the yarmulke is just one way to do it. (I also think it's relatively recent -- I've seen pictures of my grandfather's bar mitzvah, and none of the men are wearing yarmulkes -- they're all wearing this sort of fabric hat that covers a lot more of their heads.)

I can definitely see the reasoning for classifying the Star of David as a religious symbol, but I can't see the reasoning for saying that that the star of David and the cross are religious, but the star and crescent is cultural. Seems like all those go in the same category.

But, I got to spend a day with msbelle and mac! OH MY GOD! He's adorable. So adorable that you want to scoop him up and feed him soup and swing him around and teach him to jump on the bed.

And yet, still no pictures.

I always pronounce my name the Spanish way. I wish some more Americans would give that a shot.

I always say your name with the T, fyi. In English, but definitely with a T.

I can definitely see the reasoning for classifying the Star of David as a religious symbol, but I can't see the reasoning for saying that that the star of David and the cross are religious, but the star and crescent is cultural. Seems like all those go in the same category.

Yeah, I think so, too. If anything, wouldn't the cross be the most religious symbol among them? I don't see the distinction they're making.

Timelies all!

Quiet day here. Probably do some shopping/browsing, watch some tapes, etc.

The distinction between a menorah with candles and one without candles is interesting.

Yeah. It takes out the miracle, I guess?

I can definitely see the reasoning for classifying the Star of David as a religious symbol, but I can't see the reasoning for saying that that the star of David and the cross are religious, but the star and crescent is cultural. Seems like all those go in the same category.

I agree. On the other hand, it's good to see school systems trying to arrive at something workable.

If I were king of the forest, they would present both cultural and sacred symbols in a secular, educational context (i.e. This is how these people celebrate this holiday and how it got its start; here are their symbols, and here are the common meanings of those symbols). Many holidays are holy days, and it seems silly to teach about them at all, if you're only going to present the secular meaning of them. I am not afraid of my kids learning about other religions. I'm afraid of them not learning about them.

And on a totally silly note...Besides, I believe Jesus is real and alive, but an awful lot of people belief that's a myth/legend. Meanwhile, an awful lot of people believe Santa Claus is real and alive, while I believe that's a myth/legend. And having been a Santa Claus true believer at one point, and having met more of them in my lifetime than I can count, I can tell you their utter conviction about him makes a mockery out of the faith of even the most fanatical Christians I've ever met. I think the Santa believers just get to have their symbol because they're cuter than the rest of us. It's not fair.

Yeah, I think so, too. If anything, wouldn't the cross be the most religious symbol among them? I don't see the distinction they're making.

Yes, but I'm not getting what you're not getting. They're making a distinction between religious holiday symbols and cultural holiday symbols. The cross is on that list of the religious symbols. I think Hil just found it funny that both the Star of David and the Cross were out of bounds (because they're religious), but the Star and Crescent isn't out of bounds.

You could actually make an argument that the cross itself (or crucifix) is not a religious symbol. The biggest dispute isn't whether this person existed, or even whether or not the Romans crucified him (and countless others). The resurrection is the big, religious point. Maybe some people are wearing crosses to commemorate the crucifixion of Yacov, the tax protest organizer. Okay, so nobody would buy it (except maybe those Santa believers -- they're cute, but easy to trick), but you could argue it.

If I were king of the forest, they would present both cultural and sacred symbols in a secular, educational context (i.e. This is how these people celebrate this holiday and how it got its start; here are their symbols, and here are the common meanings of those symbols).

This district is saying that the religious symbols are allowed in an educational context, just not as hallway decorations and stuff.

Lee, I'll LJ some pics, but I have no way of transferring the files right now because I don't have a cable or card reader with me.