Government - Manifesto Worksheet #7 1

Government – “Christian Manifesto” Worksheet #7 (p. 77-88)

Due: ______

Note: During Nixon’s presidency (1968-1974) he believed that most of the people in America agreed with him, but were less likely to speak out than his radical opponents. He therefore referred to his supporters as the “Silent Majority.”

  1. What were the two primary values of the “Silent Majority?”
  1. What adjective does Schaeffer use to describe these values?
  1. How does he define the first?
  1. How does he define the second?
  1. Should Christians align themselves with conservative governmental elements no matter what?
  1. What does Terry Eastland say is the legacy of “the liberalism of the sixties?”
  1. Of what does Schaeffer say we should beware?
  1. What elitist group does Schaeffer suggest?
  1. What reasons does he give? (Write them IN YOUR OWN WORDS)
  1. How many acts of Congress did the Supreme Court void from 1972-1982?
  1. Which of the issues listed does the attached article answer?
  1. Have any of the other issues been resolved?
  1. Why was GraceCommunityChurch in Los Angeles sued?
  1. How does this case affect all religions?

Teacher takes 'Christmas' out of carol, creates a commotion

MARTHA MODEEN; The News Tribune

A Bethel school music teacher's decision to replace "Christmas" with "winter" in an upcoming concert carol has caused a flap over religious sensitivity this holiday season.

At Clover Creek Elementary, music teacher Mark Denison changed the lyrics in Dale Wood's "Carol from an Irish Cabin" to read: "The harsh wind blows down from the mountains, and blows a white winter to me."

But the substitution upset parent Darla Dowell, whose 7-year-old daughter will perform that song and others Tuesday. She doesn't understand why her daughter can't sing the word "Christmas."

"It's absurd," she said.

Dowell also is confused about why Christmas is excluded from one song when her daughter will be singing a Hanukkah song that includes lyrics about the "mighty miracle" of Israel's ancient days.

School officials acknowledge that Denison perhaps went too far in trying not to offend. But they plan to stick with the altered lyrics for now.

"In the past, there has been a lot of sensitivity to not giving preference to one religion over the other," said Mark Wenzel, district spokesman.

Policies at Bethel and at most school districts in the region allow both sacred and secular songs to be performed during the holiday season.

Students at other Bethel schools, for instance, are singing both religious and secular songs, said Mike Sandner, director of arts education. The focus is on variety and academic value of the music.

Such school policies stem from long-established court rulings that say holiday traditions can be taught if the purpose is to provide secular instruction, rather than promote one religion over another.

Clover Creek officials said it could be confusing to youngsters if the lyrics were changed after youngsters practiced the words a certain way for a month. On Tuesday, Denison put the question to a vote of the second-graders. They voted 23-18 that they preferred to sing the word "winter" after practicing the song both ways.

Principal Donald Garrick backed his music teacher's decision.

But Dowell is not satisfied. "They're making no attempt to fix the situation," she said.

One interesting twist: The word "Christmas" slipped through scrutiny in one song scheduled to be performed. In Benjamin Hanby's song "Up on the Housetop," children will sing "Up on the housetop reindeer pause, out jumps good old Santa Claus; down through the chimney with lots of toys, all for the little ones' Christmas joys."

Dowell said that oversight doesn't change anything. School officials are contradicting themselves if they allow "Christmas" in one song but not another, she said.

"I've never made a stink about anything in my life," Dowell said. "But I feel very strongly about this."

On Thursday, conservative talk radio station KVI entered the fray and also blasted the district's actions.

The Christmas carol brouhaha in Bethel is an example of what schools wrestle with each year.

Teachers and administrators face choices about what can be sung or hung in classrooms. Some teachers simply sidestep the controversial subject and forgo holiday displays or songs for fear of community outcry.