The huge deal is that our country has a secular government and any one religion should not dominate any other even if it has a majority. Not only that but it would be incredibly healthy for students to receive many points of view about religion and expose them to different ideas.

Because Italy is not the secular melting pot that America is... that is why. But even they let their students opt out of religious events.

Yes, I get that. That's why it's sensible to oppose actual religious indoctrination in public schools. (Teacher-led prayers, mandatory Bible study, stuff like that.)

I don't think that's what we're talking about. I think what's being discussed here is little observations of holidays -- such as singing Christmas carols, dyeing Easter eggs, or doing something for Valentine's Day.

I see those more as cultural observations. Like it or not, Christianity is fairly deeply woven into our cultue. We can't simply ignore it any more than we could expect, say, the Japanese to ignore the influence of Shinto or Buddhism on their culture.

How can we respect other cultures if we're afraid of our own?

Because our culture is not homogenous like that found in Japan or Thailand. We have the most varied culture in the world, especially in regards to religion, and our schools do not reflect this when observing only christian traditions. All or nothing I say.

I have to beg to differ with you on almost every point.

First, we are not the only varied culture. Even Japan has a fair amount of cultural sub-groups.

Secondly, Christianity is still deeply woven into our culture, and the vast, vast majority are still Christian or identify themselves a such.

Again, actual religious indoctrination has no place in school.

But traditions such as Christmas carols are deeply ingrained in American culture. To not observe them would be simply foolish and ignorant, IMO.

Japan has a very homogenous population when compared to the melting pot we have in America. We have a lot of personal freedom to observe whatever religious traditions we want on our own free time but in schools where there are muslims, jewish, buddhist, athiest, agnostic, etc etc etc it is not fair to favor only one set of traditions.

Hell, I find it repulsive that only Christian holidays are honored as national holidays when we are trying to remain secular.

I suppose you think we should start celebrating Ramadaam here too. Hell, if we celebrate every religious holiday associated with all religions, there would be little time left to work.

Actually, I know quite a few atheists, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist people that still celebrate Christmas.

To them it has ceased to be about Christianity and has become more of a time for family and friends to come together in the spirit of giving.

I was almost going to post that. You are right, Christmas may have it's roots in Christianity, but that doesn't mean others can't celebrate it.

Sure, I know a lot that do too... but not at school.