READERS RESPOND

AT ISSUE: Readers are still at odds about whether schools should be

allowed to display decorative lights (“Holiday lights go out at Mariners

Elementary,” Dec. 7).

I was displeased to read that Dana Black, school board president, made

a point to order seasonal lights to be taken down at Mariners Elementary.

From what I read in the Pilot, the lights were put up outside the

classrooms by parent volunteers who were already at the site doing yard

maintenance.

Public schools are allowed to acknowledge religious holidays.

Hanukkah, Ramadan and Tet are all given mention and attention. Christmas,

however, while given a lot of attention, is often reduced to Santa Clause

and his reindeer.

As a fourth-grade teacher, I personally find it difficult to give much

of any attention to anything non-curricular, given my district’s focus on

state standards. I also understand non-Christians who may feel

disconnected to the majority group when issues such as Christmas arise.

Teachers, perhaps, should leave all cultural and traditional teaching to

parents. Then again, what better place to learn about each other and our

various beliefs?

I was raised in a Christian home and still observe the faith. My wife

and I celebrate the birth of Jesus (Dec. 25 may or may not be the actual

birth date) through faith, fellowship and worship. We thank God daily,

throughout the year, for this gift of gifts. Everything else is basically

secular in nature. In fact, growing up, my Buddhist neighbors from

Vietnam would often beat us in the race to put up lights, as would some

atheists I knew. I simply thought (and continue to think) that house

lights are a winter decoration, are festive in nature and are put up to

brighten our longest nights. Other traditions, such as a Christmas tree

and various other decorations, are more for ourselves and can only be

loosely tied to anything Christian.

I would welcome Graham Tingler (and any other volunteer) to come to my

school to help maintain our facilities and put up seasonal lights. We

would not take you for granted and thank you profusely.

JOEL FARIS

Costa Mesa

Christmas lights are not an act of insensitivity, they are a sign of

celebration for one and all in America. Let all American children

celebrate the Christmas season. Dana Black, don’t take yourself so

seriously. There must be more important problems in our district, and,

yes, we still believe in Santa Claus.

JERRY HOWELL

Head football coach

JOHN CARNEY

Head track coach

KIRK BAUERMEISTER

Head baseball coach

BOB SERVEN

Head basketball coach

TOM BALDWIN

Head golf coach

Costa Mesa High School

Last weekend, my wife thought that I should string some Christmas

lights and decorations. I told her how much I would love to, but I didn’t

want to be insensitive to anybody who might not share our same beliefs.

On Sunday night, she had her company party and wanted me to join her.

I told her how much I was looking forward to going but thought it best

that I stay home. I did not want any single women to be offended or feel

uncomfortable. I also wanted to mow the lawn, clean the garden and wash

the cars, but I thought any person with a limiting handicap might feel

uncomfortable seeing me doing all this, when maybe they aren’t able.

Then I thought I would go out shopping for the holidays, but after

driving around all afternoon, the only stores I could find were decorated

in Christmas decorations. So as not to be insensitive, I thought best not

to offend anyone by entering. At this time, I realized that I had burned

a half a tank of gas for no reason, and what would the Air Quality

Management District think of me? So, I wrote a letter of apology, and

then realized the paper I was using might be from a tree in the rain

forest!

After considering therapy for all my thoughts, the solution came to

me: If we did away with the holidays, nobody would be offended this time

of year.

So when I picked up the paper this morning and read the article

“Holiday lights go out Mariners Elementary,” I was happy to know I wasn’t

the only person in town being very considerate of others!

The fact that Dana Black should have to deal with this kind of issue,

when there are much more important issues in our district to deal with,

is totally nuts. Relax. Let’s worry about the times when a statement is

trying to be made and let the children use these times as an opportunity

to experience different cultures and beliefs, maybe, just maybe, this

will lead to a better understanding of others. Nobody is trying to offend

anybody, just celebrate the holidays!

Why do people complain? Not because they’re offended, but because they

can.

BUNKER A. HILL

Costa Mesa

It was a pleasure to see the quick action taken at Mariners Elementary

regarding the Christmas lights. I agree completely with the removal of

them on public property. Now, how about sending a message about the

decorated tree across from the Balboa Fire Department that stands on

public property? We are also in the midst of a severe energy crisis, and

you would hope people would be aware of this and not add to the crunch.

RHONDA FRIEDMAN

Balboa

I tremendously admire Newport-Mesa Unified School District school

board president Dana Black for her stand that decorations commemorating a

religious holiday have no place on public buildings. Many people think we

live in a Christian country. What about the rest of us who belong to

another religion?

There is a reason for having separation of church and state. It is a

vital element of religious freedom and part of what this country stands

for. I am tired of being told that it isn’t a big deal or that I’m a

party pooper for insisting on separation of church and state. My thanks

to Dana Black for her courageous statement.

DEBORAH ABER

Costa Mesa