I am a Jew. Born and raised as a Jew. I know who I am and what I am and what I believe.
Growing up in the South (to the extent one might actually think some parts of Florida are in the South), I went through the public schools and in those days, before the advent of teachers’ unions, I received an excellent college prep education that has served me well for the rest of my life.
But back to my public school days: At the beginning of every school day in homeroom, wed all stood, recited the Pledge to the Flag, and recited the Lord’s Prayer. The only controversy about the Lord’s Prayer in those days was whether to use the word “trespasses” or “debtors.” I also learned all or nearly all of the Christmas songs, most of which I can sing to this day.
I do admit that when very young, I thought that “Silent Night” was actually “Solomon Night.” My father corrected me when I started singing the wrong words at home.
None of this religious “indoctrination” was done in any way that was disrespectful to my own religion or my beliefs. I learned to appreciate many things about Christianity that I did not know previously, even though Jesus and I were co-religionists.
I was pleased to see the displays in front of the NH State House in the December holiday season of a manger, with figures of the baby Jesus and the three wise men, a Chanukah menorah, and even a display by an atheist group. But in one of our college towns they cannot seem to come to grips with doing something similarly respectful and honorific to most of our major religions.
I say “Merry Christmas” at the Christmas season, not “Happy Holidays,” which is insipid.
I know that these days it is not politically correct to advocate openly for any religion in public (other than, apparently, Islam), and that our Courts have endeavored to erect a “wall” between church and state, although that is not what the First Amendment dictates. But we live in a country that was founded principally by Christians and is, at least for now, predominately Christian, while our traditional American values teach respect for all religious beliefs or no beliefs at all.
But just so you know, I was not “harmed” or disrespected in any way by my daily recitation of the Lord’s Prayer for many years.
