The so-called “holiday” season

To the editor: As a junior at Warwick Valley High School, this is a time for me to remember Christmas’ past. One memory I can fondly look back upon is the “Santa Luncheon” at Kings Elementary School. In response to last week’s letter from a parent being offended by this activity, I had to ask: What the reasoning behind all of this is? For many years, elementary school children (of all religious affiliations) attended this event. This event was not mandatory, people went as they pleased to. Held after and outside of school hours, you should exercise your rights: You have the freedom to either go sit on Santa’s lap or opt not to. Continuing on the subject of the Constitution, one must remember freedom of speech is probably the most-used amendment. You really cannot make someone take down a Christmas tree because you’d rather replace it with some other “holiday” symbol, because it is hypocritical and you are the violator of freedom of speech and religion. While I’m on the subject of the Constitution, I know there is an audience thinking about separation of church and state. Ask your children at the dinner table tonight: Have they ever had to pray in school? Have they ever walked into a class which had a religious emblem on the wall? I will guarantee they have not. A Christmas (not a holiday) tree is not a religious symbol, neither is Santa Claus. Neither one is in the bible nor never will be. A holiday tree with paper ornaments on it is automatically politically correct but let’s be realistic: What other holiday does a tree in lights and ornaments stand indoors? We all know it as a “Christmas Tree;” it’s in the malls and stores and people are still shopping the “Christmas sales.” It’s also present in our town, as last week was the “Christmas Tree Lighting,” at what else, but a church. Whether you celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah or Kwanza or any other seasonal holiday, celebrate, worship, and enjoy as you like, just don’t attempt to make holidays a time for political correctness. If a holiday has symbols not associated with religion, it’s not a problem. If you don’t agree with any event, it’s not mandatory, don’t attend it. This time of year is for families to be together around the warmth of a fire, in good cheer and good spirits, and we shouldn’t spoil that ideal with petty details. Samantha Giarratano Warwick