Holidays Could Be Educational

The New York City Council last week voted to add two Muslim holidays to the city's public school calendar, citing the annual observance of Christian and Jewish holidays. Mayor Bloomberg objects, saying the city isn't obligated to accommodate all faiths: "If you close the schools for every single holiday, there won't be any school." Who's right? In a country with so many faiths, should public schools observe any religious holidays?

In one sense Mayor Bloomberg is right to oppose the observance of religious holidays by schools or any part of the government. This could get out of hand very quickly. But then the question does arise: If you open the door to some religions how can you shut it to other religions? The argument that the majority religion(s) must prevail is not quite democratic. In a democracy everyone must enjoy equal rights and privileges. It is wrong to say that only the majority will enjoy certain privileges and not others. The door must remain open for all or not for anyone.

If religious holidays must be observed by schools why not pick one important day from each religion represented in the United States? It will give students an opportunity to learn what the holiday is about. An educational institute is where one goes to broaden one's perspective and learn about different people and different cultures that make up this world. I find it very sad and unfortunate that education today is less about dispelling ignorance and broadening perspectives and more about giving young people a career to go out into the world and make money. Isn't it said in the Bible: What does it behoove a man who gains the whole world, but looses his soul?

By Arun Gandhi  |  July 7, 2009; 2:49 PM ET
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