Performances of the play version of A Charlie Brown Christmas are a tradition for many communities and it always includes a scene where Linus quotes from the Bible to tell Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas. However, that scene won’t be part of an elementary school production in Johnson County, Kentucky.
Tonight, the play will be staged by students at the W.R. Castle Elementary in the county in eastern Kentucky.
The decision was made by Johnson County Schools Superintendent Thomas Salyer, who told the Lexington Herald-Leader that every Christmas event around the district was being looked at because of religious references. The school’s principal, Jeff Cochran, said Slayer told him to delete the part of the play.
“The U.S. Supreme Court and the 6th Circuit are very clear that public school staff may not endorse any religion when acting in their official capacities and during school activities,” Cochran explained to the Herald-Leader. “However, our district is fully committed to promote the spirit of giving and concern for our fellow citizens that help define the Christmas holiday.”
Slayer explained to the site that they had received complaints about religious references in Christmas programs.
According to the Christian Post, protesters have been outside the school all week. The Alliance Defending Freedom also sent a letter to the school district, telling officials that Christian references shouldn’t be cut from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Despite the protests, Cochran said on Wednesday that students will still perform the play without the religious references tonight, reports WSAZ.
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Linus recites Luke 2:8-14 to Charlie Brown to explain what Christmas is all about. Here’s the quote:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”