Not sure why people don't understand that Christmas is a Christian Holiday. It is nothing more or less than that. If you're NOT Christian you shouldn't participate.

This is so silly. What's the harm in teaching kids some Hanukkah and Kwanzaa songs. Is she worried that her kids might turn Jewish or something? Give me break. If Jewish kids can deal with singing some Christmas songs, I think Christian kids can deal with singing some Hanukkah songs.

Diversity is a beautiful thing. Why on Earth would a parent not want to encourage tolerance and acceptance? Not to mention the educational opportunities a diversified play would offer. I welcome a chance to be able to teach my children about other cultures and religions. As a non- Christian I have politely attended holiday concerts in our public schools without any representation of our families religion. This has allowed me an opportunity to educate my children so that they may form their own opinions as to what they believe.

It's a shame that you didn't ask that mother why she was offended her child was asked to sing a song celebrating a story from her own Bible, the Books of the Macabees. All Jewish holidays celebrate events that are part of the Christian Bible.

She obbiously feels that having all the children sing Christmas songs is appropriate. So what about a non-Christian child? Should non-Christian parents demand that Christmas be banned from Holiday celebrations?

The proper answer it to include all winter holidays, religious or secular in a Holiday program. My children learned to sing Christmas carols, and their classmates learned a Chanukah song or two. It didn't hurt them or turn them into Christians. It did let them enjoy a bit of their friend's holiday

S. M. Moidel
Edwardsville

P.S. Edwardsville always includes a Chanukah song or two in programs, and recently have added other songs from other holidays as our community becomes more diverse. This is as it should be.

Diversity is a beautiful thing. Why on Earth would a parent not want to encourage tolerance and acceptance? Not to mention the educational opportunities a diversified play would offer. I welcome a chance to be able to teach my children about other cultures and religions. As a non- Christian I have politely attended holiday concerts in our public schools without any representation of our families religion. This has allowed me an opportunity to educate my children so that they may form their own opinions as to what they believe.

Why would she be offended that her Christian child would be singing a Hanukkah song? It's not like singing the song makes her child Jewish.

I've been to many school holiday concerts where the kids have sung Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and secular holiday songs all in the same program. Seriously, what is the problem?

I am so tired of close-mindedness...especially among Christians. This is exactly what turns people off to Christianity, and I am saying this as a Christian myself. Parents argue about how badly they want their children to be well educated and cultured, but when it comes to experiencing other holidays besides Christmas, that's a no-no. To the mother who said her child was Christian and was offended that her child was singing a Hanukkah song: December 25 was originally a pagan holiday. Maybe you should educate YOURSELF before you start spouting off the importance of December 25. Christ was NOT born on that day. Plus, as a Christian, isn't it more important to honor and celebrate his death and resurrection, not his birth. His birth saved no one. It is okay for your child to sing a Hanukkah or Kwanza song. I am not British, but I am celebrating Guy Fawkes Day tomorrow...should I not because I'm an American? Where are the Christians when children are starving? Where are the Christians when someone loses their home because of the recession? Where are the Christians when people are dying in third world countries? Where are the Christians when the homeless person is begging for food? Back home complaining about their children being in a play not up to par with their religious beliefs. What would Jesus have said had you told him not to celebrate Passover when he was having the last supper with his disciples? Passover is a Jewish holiday...

I would like to remind every body that is agianst this to remember that Jesus was a JEW. So your children are singing one of the same types songs that Jesus probaly sang as a child. As for the other religious songs maybe if you had learned a little more about other peoples beliefs you wouldnt fear them so much. Considering that almost all "christian" holidays are stolen from pagen religions you are standing on a very shakey soap box.