Readers have had a lot to say about the controversy over a Bangor High School teacher who was asked to remove a pink Helly Kitty-themed Christmas tree from her classroom.
The vast majority of the comments backed the teacher, Catherine Gordon.
With more than 1,300 comments and counting,we collected some of the best.
Many readers bemoaned the loss of cultural symbols in our schools.
John Smith wrote: Shutting out culture does not educate kids about culture.
Amber wrote: Reading through this, saddens me. Being in school I loved to decorate the classrooms for Christmas, I loved that the teachers would decorate. It’s a shame they don’t allow it anymore.
somainecoast wrote: As a liberal atheist, I really have to side with…the teacher! C’mon, chill…enjoy the holidays.
Dustin S. Wing wrote: So, if I were a teacher, and had a palm tree in my room, it would be ok, as long as I don’t hang something on it? I’m not religious, and I don’t think this tree was either. If no one is complaining, stop creating solutions in search of a problem!
Several commenters questioned whether a Christmas tree is even a religious symbol.
also_desperate wrote: Since the city has, as they always do, erected a ‘holiday tree’ in the square downtown I don’t see where the Bangor School Department should have any gripe with a ‘holiday tree’ in a classroom. The school department is, after all, a unit of the city government.
raysgirl wrote: Many traditions that are around today have their roots in pre-Christian winter festivals. These include the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and tree, symbolizing everlasting light and life.
In Roman times, a mid-winter festival was held. This was a relaxing time with a lot of parties and merry making. It was also common to give other people small gifts, such as dolls for children and candles for adults. This festival culminated with the celebration of the winter solstice, which fell on December 25 in the Roman calendar. In Scandinavia, a festival called Yule and lasting up to twelve days was held in late December and early January. In this time people burnt logs and held parties. These customs have influences how Christmas Day is celebrated today in the United States.
From about 1840, celebrating Christmas became more widespread. December 25 was declared a federal holiday in the United States in 1870. Since then Christmas Day has become a steadily more important holiday.
The word “Christmas” comes from the old English “Cristes maesse”, or the mass of Christ. It is likely that the Christmas date of December 25 was chosen to offset the Pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. It it also possible that the celebration of the birth of the “true light of the world” was set at the time of the December solstice because this is when the days in the northern hemisphere begin to grow longer. Christmas holiday customs derive from various cultures, including Teutonic, Celtic, Roman, West Asian and Christian.
Many religions’ celebrations of Christmas are taken from pagan celebrations blended with their, then, new found religions. Christmas is indeed a Christian reference, but the things we use do not have to denote any religious theme. What is religious about a snowman, a snowflake? Mistletoe is distinctly pagan in origin. So is holly and ivy. A tree is not a religious representation, unless we make it one.
And a few pointed out that the Supreme Court has ruled that a Christmas tree without any religious symbols is not, in itself, religious.
Rob Kennedy wrote: It violated no guidelines. Legally, trees are considered secular displays.
David wrote: Clearly, Betsy Webb has reached the point where she needs to be dismissed. Even the United States Supreme Court protects a teacher displaying a personal secular tree:
“The United States Supreme Court has determined that schools may celebrate the holidays and create displays as long as they so do within “the context of the Christmas season” and the religious component of their display does not dominate but simply represents one element of a holiday that has obtained secular status in our society. Lynch v. Donnelly, 465.U.S. 668, 679, and 691 (1984). Under this ruling, a Christmas tree would be appropriate while a cross or a nativity scene would not. Crosses and nativity scenes are purely religious symbols that have not gained secular status in our society and therefore may not be displayed in public schools.” –The ACLU
Others questioned whether symbols of other religions’ holidays would get the same reception from the public as a Christmas tree.
Albert Ross wrote: It is unconstitutional for the government to promote a particular religion.
If we throw that important protection away, the next thing to go will be religious freedom.
StillRelaxin wrote: Tree in December, with lights and bobbles hanging from its branches. Not a Christmas tree? Who was being harmed but this? All students who were not receiving a proper education that included knowledge of world cultures. Tolerance would include all cultural symbols…this teacher, many others here, and you don’t seem to be the ones showing tolerance, or for that matter interest in your own countrie’s history. Remember why many of our ancestors left England?
Stephanie Itchkawich wrote: Imagine the controversy had the same teacher organized a charitable giving campaign in September in honor of Eid! There would be loud screams against that from the public.
Or what if the teacher had held a Bodhi Day celebration on December 8?
Will she be displaying a Seder plate in April for Passover?
Did she light Chanukah candles this year? Or bring latkes for the class? Or play dreidel?
I’m all for holidays, but let’s make sure we cover more than just one.
I like Christmas. I like Christmas trees, although they are definitely not Christian. But it is disheartening to those of us who follow other faiths to have our holidays ignored.