Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Proposal removes 'Christmas' from sixth grade lessons, replace with Hindu festival

If this is allowed to happen, I guess all hope is lost.

08:18 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — A proposal for new social studies curriculum in Texas public schools removes a mention of Christmas in a sixth-grade lesson, replacing it with a Hindu religious festival, a change that has riled conservatives who say it's another battle in the "war" against the Christian holiday.

"It's outrageous that the war on Christmas continues in our state and in our nation," said Jonathan Saenz, a lobbyist for the conservative Free Market Foundation. The draft proposal being considered by the State Board of Education won't be formally adopted until May for the 2011-12 school year.

The standards now instruct sixth-grade students to be able to explain the significance of religious holidays such as the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah.

The proposal, which is set to be debated during a hearing this week, removes Christmas and Rosh Hashanah from the listing. Diwali, a Hindu festival, is added.

In a note explaining the change, members of a review committee wrote, "the examples include the key holiday from each of the five major religions."

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