What’s the fuss? Haven’t we always had Charlie Brown and his poor pathetic Christmas tree shown on TV for many years? Along with the “The Grinch Stole Christmas” these two have become classic Christmas stories for all ages.
I hope I am wrong…. but I have doubts whether we will be seeing either of those classics on national TV this season. What’s the problem? The following story might affect us all……..read and see what you think.
“An atheist group is accusing an Arkansas grade school of violating students’ constitutional rights by inviting them to a performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at a local church.
Students at Terry Elementary School in Little Rock were invited to a performance of the show at Agape Church. Teachers informed parents in letters home that a school bus would shuttle children to and from the show, which would be performed on a school day.
According to their local TV station, the letter the teachers sent home indicates the play will be held on Friday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at the church. Children attending will be taken on a school bus and will need to pay $2 to cover the expense of the bus rides, the letter states. Students are not required to attend the production, according to the school district.
One parent contacted the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers after receiving the letter.
“We’re not saying anything bad about Charlie Brown,” Anne Orsi, a Little Rock attorney and vice president of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers, told KARK 4 News. “The problem is that it’s got religious content and it’s being performed in a religious venue and that doesn’t just blur the line between church and state, it oversteps it entirely.”
The parent, who did not want to be named, told KARK in a statement that although she could choose not to allow her child to attend, she’s letting her daughter go to the performance for fear the girl could be singled out.
A spokeswoman for the Little Rock School District says the district does not endorse any particular faith or encourage any specific religious activity.”
In case you forgot the story……the loveable cartoon character, Linus, tells Charlie Brown he knows the real reason for Christmas and goes on stage in front of the spotlight and quotes the classic scripture from Luke 2:8-14…..about the shepherds in the fields and baby lying in the manger.
I’m sorry that the unnamed mother felt compelled to let her child attend the play because of peer pressure. However, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will probably be the only Christmas story that little girl will hear this year.
Let’s watch and see what the networks decide to do……..
AbideLines 