75% of Americans Think Christmas Should Be Celebrated in Public Schools

John UpChurch | Updated: Dec 12, 2013

75% of Americans Think Christmas Should Be Celebrated in Public Schools

According to a recent poll conducted by Rasmussen, 75% of American adults believe Christmas should be celebrated in public schools. The pollsters note, “Despite school administrators’ concerns nationwide, Americans strongly believe that Christmas should be a part of public schools. They feel just as strongly that religious symbols should be allowed on public property.”

Widespread public support, however, has not squelched threatened litigation and school policy fights. A public charter school in Rock Hill, S.C., recently made headlines for rejecting “religious Christmas carols.” The Blaze reported:

A music director at York Preparatory Academy in Rock Hill, S.C., allegedly told students that they will not be permitted to perform “Joy to the World” and “Oh Come All ye Faithful” at their winter band performance….

When some of the older students chose the aforementioned Christmas songs, the school’s band director reportedly said that the school could not permit including them in the concert over fears of a lawsuit.

In response to such concerns, both Texas and Missouri lawmakers passed legislation this year against what they see as a “war on Christmas.” The “Merry Christmas” bill in Texas changes the education code to allow public schools to put up religious holiday symbols, as long as they are not used to proselytize. Missouri Lawmakers overrode a governor’s veto to enact a law allowing public buildings and schools the right to celebrate any federal holiday, including Christmas. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rick Brattin explained his reasoning:

“What has been happening is that people are forbidden from discussing Christmas. The ACLU, groups like this, have put a stop to the celebration or even the mention of God or anything like that, and it's wrong,” Brattin said. "I wanted to address what the vast majority of Americans celebrate because it's one of the most well-known, worldwide holidays."



75% of Americans Think Christmas Should Be Celebrated in Public Schools