re: day off from school for Yom Kippur...
Maybe up north ... my Bubba's worked for the local school board for over 26-1/2 years and he's never gotten Yom Kippur off. I would have to see the school's schedule to believe it ... isn't Yom Kippur a religious holiday? But schools can't celebrate Christmas or Easter anymore? This is ridiculous.
And as far as I'm concerned, if the kids are atheists or agnostics, they should be forced to go to school on religious holidays, seeing as how they don't consider themselves "religious".
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In some states, schools get state funding based on attendance. If a significant number of kids take off on a particular day, the attendance drop results in funding cuts, so it's better to close the school entirely. That way, the day doesn't get counted in the funding formula.
I don't know about the US, but here in Canada Christmas Day, Boxing Day (the day after Christmas day) and Easter (both Good Friday AND Easter Monday) are all statutory holidays and thus schools and most businesses don't run on those days.
And I'm not religious but I won't say no to an excuse to sit around and be lazy, plus we do the Christmas tree and presents thing at our house even though none of us are religious.
Um...you can't celebrate Yom Kippur at school either, which is why those kids have that day OFF. Also, Bubba? Seriously? You aren't a Clampett, are you?
Oh, yeah, like Christmas and Easter haven't been secularized to hell and back.
Wanna know something wacky? They're pagan holidays.
Because atheists appreciate the sociocultural importance of such festivals and recognise the ergonomic need to take a break without having to dress it up in some primitive superstition, maybe?
I'm guessing that thought didn't cross your head. I don't suppose many thoughts do.
Actually, I'm in favor of this. I'll work any religious holidays, and all non-religious days (such as almost all of them) can go to the religious types. I expect to be paid, though. Because atheism is my religion.
...if the kids are atheists or agnostics, they should be forced to go to school on religious holidays...
Maybe we could get them some brightly colored patches to wear on their shirts so the atheists and agnostics could be more easily identified.
Actually, in my home state you got christmas off, but that was the only religious holiday we didn't have class... Heck, in college, even finals ran until Dec 23rd. We NEVER got anything around easter off, though one or two hyper kid's parents would take their kids out of school for good friday - but it was never a problem or a majority.
(Our "spring break" occurs in the middle of winter to save on the heating bills.. started in the 1970s I believe. We even called it "Energy Week" instead of spring break - we always figured it meant OUR energy, not the power line kind.)
Ok, but Christians shouldn't get Christmas, Easter, or Halloween break either, since these holidays were claimed by earlier religions.
Also, I want Darwin and Dawkin's birthdays off.
And, uh...
Linus Torvald's birthday while you're at it.
HomeschoolrsRUS, who, by the way is a pro-lifer who has admitted to having an abortion, there's this thing called winter break, it lasts around two weeks, and Christmas is usually in it.
1. There is no more Easter Break or Christmas Break here where I live, and from what I've read and heard from around the country the effort to stop such "religious" recognition of holidays is expanding throughout. "Spring Break" no longer coincides with Easter in the county in which I live. "Christmas Break" is now "Winter Break," and though Christmas and New Year's Day both fall during the break time, they no longer recognize the holiday (Christmas) as the reason for the break.
2. I call my husband Bubba, because a) he's from the south, b) it's an affectionate pet name, and c) I'm certainly not going to reveal his real name for safety reasons.
3. I care about things like this because I am a citizen of the United States of America, my husband happens to work for our local school board (26-1/2 years), and my children, while homeschooled, play sports (as allowed by law) for our local high school.
What exactly was "fundie" about what I posted? I would think as supporters of the separation of church and state, atheists and agnostics would want all religious holidays eliminated. I merely made an exaggerated statement to illustrate the absurd with absurdity.
Someone at school suggested that to me once. (I am an agnostic atheist.) I replied with "Fuck that shit. A day off is a day off. I needed a day to catch up on my homework anyway."
(No offense to those who do celebrate Yom Kippur. I don't celebrate it, but a holiday is a holiday.)
Sure thing.
And since it's expensive as hell for any school to single one small group of students out like this and pay the teachers and administrators to show up, everyone else can go to school right along with them, too. I'm sure you won't object to the tax increase.
I know, I know. That's not what you REALLY meant. What you really meant was, "Why can't atheist, agnostics and nonchristian kids go to school somewhere else, so I don't have to be reminded they exist?"
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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