In response to John Lodefink (Forum Dec. 8), we believe Christmas and other religious holidays should be celebrated in homes or in the religious and secular communities and not in the public schools. Our Constitution guarantees separation of church and state. However, some Christians persist on celebrating Christmas in the school setting.
The point of calling attention to the Christian content of this West High chorale course is not to bring Jewish (or any other religious) songs into the school, it's to separate schools from any religious agenda. Choir, a course with credit, should be an opportunity for all children, regardless of religion.We feel Lodefink must not understand other non-Christian religions. If he did, he might realize that our value system is equally as strong as his. Just because we object to endlessly repeating "Christ is our savior" and attending "firesides" on chorale trips does not mean that we are anti-Christian, and it does not make us morally inferior. We believe that religious morals and beliefs are universally positive and all creeds contribute to the good and right of society.
However, since values do differ, we avoid imposing our religion on others and prefer that they do the same.
United Synagogue Youth
Congregation Kol Ami
Salt Lake City