Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 4, 1993 TAG: 9301040246
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A NAME IS MEANT ONLY TO INFORM
NOW THAT we have heard from the two extremes in the matter of the proper degree of tolerance for those of differing faiths, maybe now it is time to find some middle ground. While I support Mr. Schneck's intentions, I do not support his recommendation. The essence of tolerance is not ambiguity.Mr. Schneck's solution for conflicting religious traditions is to create a set of pseudo-holidays (winter and spring) devoid of any religious ingredient. He has, in essence, insulted all religious traditions in trying to be tolerant of all religious traditions.
He has made the mistake of assuming that the name of a religious holiday is, in its form and in the intention of the namer, a persuasive act. It is not. It is an informative message designed to explain the event that some choose to celebrate at this time of year.
I do not assume that being informed that Jews celebrate Hanukkah at this time is an attempt to convert me from Christianity.
Rather than creating a pseudo-holiday ( I would never "celebrate" winter; I fled here from Illinois to avoid winter) I suggest that we be honest with children and explain that there are two religious traditions that are celebrated at this time: Hanukkah and Christmas. Let us announce to our children that there will be vacation called the Christmas-Hanukkah vacation.
If there are other religious traditions that celebrate "holy" days at that time or any other time, let children know about them.
Rather than trying to make our culture a "melting pot," blending ourselves into a bland soup, let us present our culture as a mosaic with distinctive tiles given their proper place to shine. To know the facts about a religious tradition is not persuasive, except to the person who is searching for a religious tradition.
RAY PENN\ RADFORD