Founders did not mean to banish religion

What secret knowledge is breathed into lawyers when they become Justices of this Court, that enables them to discern that a practice which the text of the Constitution does not clearly proscribe, and which our people have regarded as constitutional for 200 years, is in fact unconstitutional? Day by day, case by case, (the court) is busy designing a Constitution for a country I do not recognize. — Justice Antonin Scalia

In Granite School District, teachers are scared to wish students a merry Christmas. They're not even sure they can mention the word Christmas, and, if so, in what way?

An annual district memo cautions them about the discussion of Christmas because it could exclude someone. The administrators try to define the policy in clearer terms, with more hair splitting — Christmas parties are out, holiday parties are in, etc. — but who knows what it all means? It's all nebulous legal mumbo jumbo.

In a lame attempt to "clarify" itself, the district wrote that "holiday" parties can be held, "so long as we can articulate the pedagogical objectives from the curriculum that provide the basis of the activity and the activity doesn't promote or denigrate any particular religion or religion in general."

Well, thanks for clearing that up.

"Where did things change?!" complains one Granite teacher. "In trying to protect the rights of the minority, we have ignored the majority. Granite School District is so afraid of its own shadow, and so blind on this, that they couldn't find their own *#%$! with both hands and a hunting dog."

Then again, the courts have everyone a little jumpy and confused.

What's needed is a little common sense. If you go to Israel, you'll hear "happy Hanukkah." If you move to the Middle East, you're going to hear the Quran quoted and see people honoring Ramadan. If you live in the United States, you're going to get a big dose of Christmas and Christianity.

The courts are whittling away the America — and Christmas — we recognize. Kids can't sing Christmas songs in school, unless they're the generic "Jingle Bells" variety; Nativity scenes can't be displayed on public property unless surrounded by sufficient secular displays (Santa, reindeer, elves); teachers can't say "Merry Christmas" in school (try "Happy holiday" instead).

The basis of all these cases is the tried-but-not-true Separation of Church and State idea. Ask the average American where this idea comes from, he'll say the Constitution. He's wrong.