Students in America are not the only ones to have their yuletide enjoyment snatched out from under them. Similar educational policies are being pursued across the Atlantic in merry ole England. Many British pupils do not know the Christmas story or even a single carol. The more secular symbols of the holiday such as Santa Claus, snowmen, reindeer and elves have faired little better in being able to garnish publicity for themselves. Yet one cannot argue that such is the cost of pluralism whereby public displays of religious belief are foregone so that individuals of all persuasions might enjoy a degree of equality in their private lives free of social coercion.
British schools are in fact bustling with a considerable degree of religious activity.
The daughter of the author of the Spectator article had participated in a assembly at her school commemorating the Buddhist celebration of Wesak but never in a school nativity. Another festival honored now in British schools, according to Wullschlager, is Divali, a Hindu festival of lights commemorating the New Year. There is more to this issue than whether or not youngsters learn jingle bells or how to deck the halls with boughs of holly. This matter will eventually determine the very nature of Western civilization in the years and decades to come. It must be noted that this opinion did not necessarily originate with fanatical fundamentalists.