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Boy, 9, banned from school Christmas party - 'because he didn't believe in Jesus'
Last updated at 01:07am on 23.12.07Teachers banned a nine-year-old boy from his class Christmas party because his parents had barred him from RE lessons.
Douglas Stewart was forced to stay at home while his friends received presents from Santa and tucked into ice cream and jelly.
His parents were told he was not welcome at the celebration because they had pulled him out of religious eduction classes earlier in the year.
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Banned: Douglas Stewart (left), seen here with brother Callum, was stopped from attending a party because of his 'lack of religious beliefs'
Headmaster Ian Davidson said that because the youngster had no interest in religion he could not celebrate the birth of Christ.
Furious mother Dawn Riddell, 38, said yesterday: "I've helped out at the Christmas party before and it's got absolutely nothing to do with Jesus. Douglas was heartbroken he couldn't go. It was cruel."
The boy and his brother Callum, 11, attend Cluny Primary, a council-run school in Buckie, Banffshire.
As the family have no religious beliefs, Miss Riddell had asked for them to be exempt from RE lessons.
But she was stunned when the head called with the news about the party.
She contacted Moray Council to find out its policy on school parties and was told these were non-religious.
After the council spoke to the school, the decision to exclude Douglas was put down to a "misunderstanding".
Callum was allowed to attend his party a few days later and Douglas received a present Santa had left behind.
Reader views (13)
Believing or not, Christmas is time for joy, peace and happiness. For each people, each race, each age, even religion with no discrimination. For them that call themselves Christians, that attitude was medieval and do not show the moral values of Christianity.
- Leonardo Della Justina, Porto Velho, Brasil
I believe that the root of Christmas celebrations is religion (or at least that's how it's supposed to be). Today they've made it just a hollow "tradition", but it wouldn't be called "CHRISTmas" if it were just that; it would be meaningless to have a tradition without its reason of being.
I deeply disagree with the school's decision of banning the boy. Christmas is about love, rejoicing and sharing, doesn't matter if you aren't Christian.
- Cinthya Glez., Mexico City, Mexico
She doesn't want her kids learning RE, and the family has no religious beliefs, but she still wants to kids celebrate the birthday of Jesus in order to get free toys? Quick to celebrate and slow to do the work. I guess that's what life is to an athiest, a smorgasbord of convenience and freedom to do anything you want and have it your way, even force people to let your kids to go to a Christmas party without wanting them to learn about world religions.
- Jus Seg, Houston, USA
Presumably this mother doesn't celebrate Easter either, so won't bother buying her children Easter eggs.
- Ian Gilbertson, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. Even though it might have been commercialized by the stores, it still remains the most important event on the church calendar for many. I believe the head teacher was right to pull this pupil out of the party, in fear of any repercussions from his non religious parents. Obviously they are not that anti religious if they still want their children to participate in the Christmas celebrations; are they that ignorant not to realise why these celebrations are taking place?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
If the Secular Fundamentlist people - whose belief structure is based on openly expressing hatred for anything and anyone with faith - want to attack those with faith, then they shouldn't be surprised if there is a reaction.
If you don't like it, keep quiet!
- Tangomike, Kensington, London
Sounds like young Douglas has got more brains than his headmaster.
- Rob, London
Good for the teachers. The whole idea of inclusivity is nothing more than politically correct bunk. His parents seem to have mixed ideals.
- Dave, Cornwall
Unfortunately, some teachers are as thick as two short planks.
- James, London
I think it was wrong for the parents to have removed their child from religious education. (I may be wrong but I thought RE was a legal requirement?)
Religious Education, even at a Christian Church School is not all about Christianity, it is about studying many religions and their beliefs so the children have an understanding of other religions and beliefs, even atheism. It promotes tolerance - something that appears to be lacking on both sides here.
The parents cannot just pick and choose which bits of the school curriculum their kids attend, it is a bit like never turning up for training but expecting to being picked for the match.
- Tom, Watford UK
The kid was taken out of religious classes at the parents' request. If they don't believe, what's the problem? To the parents Christmas is only shopping, so take him to a shop. To say Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus shows the mother's ignorance. The parents didn't seem to care when the child was made to feel different by making sure he didn't go to religious lessons with his friends. I feel for the kid, but this problem was created by the parents. They're not annoyed for their child, they're annoyed because someone said no to them. The typical reaction of a spoilt child.
- Sean Toal, London
"But Christmas parties are totally different. They're not all about religion or Jesus."
This from a mother who removed her child from Religious and Moral Education. Maybe she should have taken the classes herself.
- Sarah N., London
I thought the UK was more secular than this? I don't remember anything religous about Christmas when I was kid in grammer school here in the US. We just sang songs about "Rudolph the red nose reindeer", and got candy canes. I just attended my daughter's "Holiday Event" at her school. She sang "Frosty the Snowman", and got candy canes. I remember Christmas being more tradition than religious.
We are not a religious family. My wife and I are atheists, and we are raising our kids to decide what they want (or not want) to believe in for themselves when they reach maturity.
I think it is just mean spirited to exclude innocent children from taking part of what is mostly a cultural tradition in Western society. How very typically Christian of them!
- Greg Moralez, Chicago, USA
