Reader comments
Separation of church and dance

Seems like some people will find a reason to complain about anything. I'm sure that in heavily predominant Catholic areas of the country, student activities are scheduled around the needs of its population, and the smaller LDS community is left out of the decision making. Oh well, big deal. Life moves forward. High School students could care less about when dances are held, only that they are held. It's the hyper-sensitive parents that cause the concerns, and stir the pot.

Find me the spot where it says separation of church and state. It is not written in the constitution. It simply states that the state will have no say in determining a religion. I think it was a smart move and for someone to say that they are livid about it is just taking it too far. Chill out and learn to get along. I'm sure the school will change upcoming activities should they conflict with a major other religious events. It really ticks me off when people start saying "separation of church and state," this is simply not possible, 90% of our country claims to be religious. In this case it was not a religious favoring just a smart move on the schools part to pay the bills. Minority rights never supercede the majorities. Read and understand your constitution before you start quoting from it words that are not in there.

To complainers You are absolutely right I could not have said it any better. Bet this story is gonna stir up all those, hyper sensitive LDS haters here in Utah. It will it just give them another thing to complain about, even though they really don't need one.

rock on murray high!

I'm sorry but it seems to me like the school did exactly what it should have. It listened to the students and parents and met their needs.

What is the problem?

As an MHS alum I'm saddened by this. However, this only proves to me that putting my daughter in private school is the right thing to do.

You are right, in heavily Catholic areas accomodations are made for the predominate religion and the LDS don't get livid about it. I suppose it is best to choose your battles. This one is pretty minor.

Sorry, "Complainers", but that was pretty lame. Please point specifically to the heavily predominant Catholic areas of the country that behave similarly before making such an audacious, pathetic knee-jerk defense. This is a local issue, not a national one. As well, my child who attends Murray is neither LDS or Catholic and was very bothered by the way Murray student officers and staff mandated that change without even a pretense of inviting commentary or suggestions from non-LDS students. I heard student complaints weeks ago. So, you are wrong that it is "hyper sensitive parents" that cause the concern. If such parents are hyper sensitive at all it is because certain adults condone and defend such behavior, insuring that such boorish, selfish, and inconsiderate traits continue through generations. As for the story itself, the excuse that restaurant reservations had to be made, etc, is a poor diversion. Kids dine all over the valley and make day long events of high school dances throughout the area as well. Accept it MHS--you show little regard for the minorities among you.

Don't you get sick and tired of complaints about separation of church and state in the schools? Another reason we need vouchers! Go vouchers!!

I agree. This isn't about separation of church and state--it's a DANCE, for crying out loud--It's about economics pure and simple. They knew they wouldn't get enough people tonight because of Conference. I agree they should be sensitive when possible to other faiths' major activities as well, and I think parents who really think about it honestly will find that our communities and schools usually are.

Interesting that state girls' tennis tournament has been held on conference for as many years as I can remember. Don't the UHSAA leaders realize that "when the Mormons meet, the heavens weep" and it's hard to play tennis in the rain? Maybe they need to take another look at their scheduling.

I seem to remember observing Good Friday every year and I never complained about it being a Catholic event. Please get a freakin' clue.

Let them go ahead and have the dance when they want, they just won't have as many there and it might save some of the kids money on the expense of those kinds of activities.

Mrs. Smart,

Are you listening to yourself?! Of course the dance would be rescheduled if there was a big Catholic conference, or Lutheran conference, etc..... It just so happens that there are a large part of the student body happens to be LDS and the school is trying to make sure that the majority of the students who want to be involved, can be involved. These crazy parents, (obviously whom are strongly opposed to the LDS church) seem to be so conceded and wanting to make this a story, that they don't care about their children's friends, who happen to be LDS who want to attend this dance. Most of the students don't even care about the change.

This is not a "separation of church and state" issue. It is about a large number of students who could not attend a school event. The same consideration would be given to an athletic conference or other program which involves many students in the school. If the date of a school dance for students (not parents) is a serious problem for Mrs. Smart, perhaps she would be happier elsewhere.

Lighen up. When I was a boy, school lunches always included fish on Fridays to accomodate Catholic dietary practices. This was in a predominantly LDS community, and no one complained. When I lived in Texas, the schools often arranged schedules around Baptist activities and plans, and no one complained. All over the country schools plan activity schedules around religious activities to allow students to avoid conflicts. There is no state/religion conflict in doing so.

I praise those officials that recognize those traditions and make accomidations for those students. This is a big deal for those families that are LDS and rearrainging the schedule to accomdate them is wonderful! Thank you!

Echoing the words of complainer above, in New York they close a bunch of things on Saint Patrick's day, have a huge parade that has catholic overtones but other groups are not left out. What do the LDS and other religious groups do there? They attend the parade! School is out, they don't whine that they'd rather be there, do they?

In our Texas town, no town events are scheduled on Wednesday nights as that is Baptist youth activity and adult sunday school night. Also, the Fourth of July celebration (at Sheppard Air Force Base) was moved to Saturday when it fell on Sunday... No cries for church/state separation that I am aware of.

I applaud Murray High's student leaders for for their sensitivity toward those of the predominant religion in the Salt Lake Valley and hope they would similarly respect the religious practices of all students at Murray High. Unfortunately, some think that "Separation of Church and State" means that decisions in public institutions cannot be made by people who have religious beliefs--a shallow and bigoted perspective. Thank God we live in a country where we can be respectful of the beliefs of all!