Guest MINDSETTER™ Forleo: Festivus For The Rest of Us
Guest MINDSETTER™ Steven Forleo
Guest MINDSETTER™ Forleo: Festivus For The Rest of Us
Recently, Representative Patricia Morgan (R)-West Warwick, with other sponsors in tow, announced she is going to introduce legislation similar to the "Merry Christmas" bill passed in Texas back in 2013. Since then, other (mostly southern) states have also passed bills aimed at protecting public school teachers and their school districts from legal action for "showing symbols of winter celebrations", or saying "Merry Christmas and Happy Hannakuh."
What happens to Happy Kwanzaa? Happy Festivus?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMorgan's intended legislation would grant a school district's recognition and education about "winter celebrations"?
"Christmas is a part of the very fabric of this country," stated Morgan. "The traditions that are passed down from generation to generation enrich and inform our culture. They form a basis for our 'melting pot' and are another piece that binds our country together. No school teacher or staff member should risk censure for teaching about those holiday traditions."
Would this legislation provide teaching students that most, if not all of these "celebrations" are rooted in paganism (non-Christian)? I wonder if these "education" lessons will include teaching the children that "winter celebrations" were rituals long before Christianity arrived? The tree, also pagan, invented in 17th century Germany? No mention or directive of December 25 in the Bible as the birth date of Jesus? How Puritans despised the celebration of Christmas, even banning its celebration for decades? That Santa is the distant cousin of England's Father Christmas? And he was one of the spirits who roamed the skyway at winter?
But as one might suspect, that type of education won't be part of the curriculum, if politicians are devising the strategic plan. After all, this legislation proposed, wishes students to know the historical context of "winter celebrations."
Morgan insists, "The goal here is to give everyone the freedom they deserve to say 'Merry Christmas' but not to encourage adherence to any particular religious belief."
Oh, okay, the "secular crèche" is perfectly fine as long as the Magi consists of Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa, all surrounding the manger, hanging gift cards from Macy's, Nordstrom, and JC Penney on the stable with care.
Morgan's Proposal Undermines Law
So what's at the warm-hearted center of this proposed legislation?
The clear aim is attempting to undermine settled law. If Texas is the model for Morgan's proposed bill, that law would allow displays of a menorah or nativity on public spaces but not encourage one type of religious belief.
Got it.
A teacher can place a nativity scene or menorah in the classroom as long as there's a cardboard elf sipping cocoa in the vicinity.
And I'm certain these RI politicians sponsoring a bill advocating for Judeo-Christian symbols only, would understand doing so easily discriminates against all other belief myths.
Granting what amounts to special privilege and placement with these two major religions running under very open, wildly vague legislative language, understandably provides preferential choice over other religions. In other words, the majority discriminates against the minority?
Isn't that wonderfully ironic? The proposed RI legislation, if similar to Texas, will allow certain religions access into public classrooms while discriminating against other belief systems.
Now, how un-Christmas is that?
Politicians should stay out of the classroom, and abate crusading secular as sacred "celebrations." For these elected officials should comprehend the true meaning of that defining Amendment we call the First; prohibiting the government from making any law which establishes one religion, but also unduly favoring any religion(s) over any other(s).
If all public schools are agencies of government, thus subject to any/all limitations of establishing a certain religion (with or without symbols), how then can politicians, representing the government, allow schools to bring in religious symbols without clearly undermining government limitations?
I assume this proposed legislation will never see the light of winter solstice.
Steven F. Forleo is a faculty member at CCRI, and proud citizen of the USA.
25 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit - 2016
Buy an Ugly Christmas Sweater
You are bound to be invited to an ugly Christmas sweater party at some point during the holiday season.
So be prepared for it and go buy yourself the ugliest Christmas sweater that you can find and wear it to the party.
Maybe you will win.
Dress Up Your Pet, Send it Around
Reindeer ears and a Santa outfits are always good, but this holiday season, step your game up.
Become a Facebook legend.
A Festivus for the Rest of Us
You must watch the Festivus episode of Seinfeld, it is one of the most famous episodes of the entire series.
Laughter is the best medicine, after all.
When you finish the episode, be sure to celebrate Festivus on December 23.
Happy Festivus!
PHOTO: Matt Keef/Flickr
Get Those Decorations up
Get those decorations up early this year and go all out, go to the extreme with the decorating.
Why not be the talk of the neighborhood?
Add to the holiday cheer.
PHOTO: Romeo Banias/Flickr
Sing Christmas Carols in Neighborhood
Get a group of friends or family members and go caroling in the neighborhood.
Or if that is not your thing, have a sing-along at someone's house, like a karaoke party.
Or just sing along to the radio in the car. Fine.
PHOTO: cindybrown33/Flickr
See a Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep
A Christmas Carol is arguably the most famous Christmas play there is and Trinity Rep puts on a great performance year in and year out.
Get into the holiday spirit by seeing this classic play.
Don't make us send the three ghosts to your home.
Try a New Holiday Cocktail
Branch out your holiday cocktails -- eggnog is fine, but have you tried a Blue Xmas Margarita or a Chocolate Martini?
For some cool new holiday cocktail ideas, click here.
PHOTO: Corner Perk Cafe/Flickr
Go to a Holiday Service
Don't wait until Christmas, get in the spirit of things ahead of the holidays.
The sights, the sounds, the music -- if it doesn't make you think about the true meaning of things, try again the following weekend!
PHOTO: Brook Ward/Flickr
You Must Watch Home Alone
While it may not be your traditional Christmas movie, it certainly brings home the holiday spirit.
Home Alone is an all-time classic that simply must be watched.
Enjoy!
Watch Holiday Classics on TV
Tis the time of year when some of the best movies are back on television, holiday movies.
Be sure to check our local listings for movies such as Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph and other timeless classics.
Then grab a big bowl of popcorn or any other favorite snack and enjoy.
Dress up as Santa
Grab an authentic looking Santa costume and dress up as jolly old Saint Nick for an entire day.
During that day, visit friends and relatives with young kids or even a local mall to find out what is on everyone's Christmas list.
PHOTO: Kelly Sue DeConnick/Flickr
Take a Day Off to Relieve the Stress
Don't wait until the weekend when the lines -- and traffic -- are long and tiring.
Take a personal day during the week if you can. Get some shopping and wrapping done.
And then relax.
PHOTo: Matilda Diamant/Flickr
Design Your Own Gifts, Don't Buy Them
Don't go to the crowded stores and buy gifts that are available any time of year, design your own gifts for friends and family members.
Maybe a cool photo collage or tickets for a service among other things.
Think of the stress you will save.
Find New Cookie Recipes
Cookies are big part of the holidays, whether you are leaving them for Santa or eating them yourself.
While it's perfectly fine to use your favorite cookie recipes, be sure to try some new recipes as well.
Need some ideas? Check out the links below
100 Best Holiday Cookie Recipes
PHOTO: Troy Tolley/Flickr
Go Ice Skating at the Newport Skating Center
The Newport Skating Center is open for another season and what's better than skating and seeing Newport at the time?
If that is not enough, go old fashioned and skate on a frozen pond.
Host a Gift Wrapping Competition With Friends
One of the most painful parts of the holidays is wrapping gifts, especially if there are a lot of them.
Invite some friends over and have a gift wrapping competition. Be sure to make some cookies and beverages while you are at it.
PHOTO: intellichick/Flickr
Visit Borrelli's Christmas Tree Farm
The Christmas season can't begin without a Christmas tree and Borrelli's has just the trees for you.
Start your Christmas tree shopping now and get into the holiday spirit.
PHOTO: Flickr
Call Long Lost Friends or Family Members
On the phone -- not a Facebook post, not a text. Let them hear your voice. Find a way to reconnect on a personal basis.
Find out how they're doing. Make plans to catch up in person. But whatever you do, remember, texting doesn't count!
Give Money to Salvation Army
Throw some money in the Salvation Army kettle. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. The person who stands outside ringing the bell is often there for long hours.
Even if it's just some change, smile at them and wish them a happy holiday.
PHOTO: j_lai/ Flickr
Shop Local at AC Jewelers
Stay away from those big national chains and go to the local stores like AC Jewelers and get what you need for the holidays.
Shop local this holiday season.
Secretly Pay it Forward
Standing in line at a local coffee shop waiting to order can be a long wait at times.
Make the day of the person behind you by paying for their coffee. It will put a huge smile on their face, and on your face as well.
But shhh don't tell them.
Give to Those in Need
From giving trees at churches to Big Brothers Big Sisters as well as many other great organizations, there are plenty of families in the community that could use your help to put a present or two under the tree for a child who might not otherwise get one.
See 50 Ways to Give This Holiday Season Here
Spend Time With an Elderly Relative
The actual day when the family is around can be hectic. Before then, go have a cup of tea, bring some cookies, and find out what holiday traditions they enjoyed.
Give the gift of time.
New Holiday Recipes
Try new holiday recipes for the meal.Traditional turkey, ham, stuffing, and sides are good, but why not try something fun?
Click here for some cool holiday recipes.
Or for an even more extensive list of ideas, click here.
Start Thinking About Your New Year's Resolutions
Don't wait until December 31 to promise you'll drink less and work out more.
Take stock of your life, figure out what's important to you, and what you want to accomplish in the New Year and start jotting stuff down.
