Topic: Bunny Ban
started by: MADDOG
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 07 2007,9:58 am
March 23, 2007 RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BANS EASTER BUNNY
William Rearick, Schools Superintendent of the Tiverton Public Schools in Rhode Island, has banned the Easter Bunny from appearing at a fundraising event tomorrow at the Tiverton Middle School. He has also banned the word “Easter” from all school events. He told the Providence Journal that during the last year and a half, he has become “more aware of folks who don’t have a Christian background.” Taking the place of the Easter Bunny will be Peter Rabbit; children will be able to get their picture taken with him.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue commented on this today:
“I am astonished that Schools Superintendent Rearick only recently discovered Jews and Muslims. But better late than never. However, it was not a Jew or a Muslim who complained about the Easter Bunny—it was an ex-Catholic, Michael Burk; he is vice chairman of the school committee. No matter, I have news for Superintendent Rearick: he has not resolved the problem.
“It is unconscionable that in this day and age Superintendent Rearick would choose to honor a thief. As every schoolchild knows, Peter Rabbit stole from Mr. McGregor’s garden. To now hold him up as a role model to impressionable youngsters sends the wrong signal. At the very least, grief counselors should be dispatched to tomorrow’s event.
“There is also a more serious matter going on. The event smacks of sexism: Peter Rabbit had three sisters—Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail—and there is no historical record of them ever having committed a crime. So why were they passed over? Looks like the glass ceiling is still in place.
“We urge everyone to register their outrage by contacting Superintendent Rearick at wrearick@tivertonschools.org. Tell him to bring the Easter Bunny back as only ex-Catholics are likely to be offended.”
The Catholic League is the nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization. It defends individual Catholics and the institutional Church from defamation and discrimination.
Posted by Eddie Cochran's Ghost on Apr. 07 2007,11:14 am
| Quote (MADDOG @ April 07 2007,9:58am) |
| March 23, 2007 RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BANS EASTER BUNNY William Rearick, Schools Superintendent of the Tiverton Public Schools in Rhode Island, has banned the Easter Bunny from appearing at a fundraising event tomorrow at the Tiverton Middle School. He has also banned the word “Easter” from all school events. He told the Providence Journal that during the last year and a half, he has become “more aware of folks who don’t have a Christian background.” Taking the place of the Easter Bunny will be Peter Rabbit; children will be able to get their picture taken with him. Catholic League president Bill Donohue commented on this today: "I am astonished that Schools Superintendent Rearick only recently discovered Jews and Muslims. But better late than never. However, it was not a Jew or a Muslim who complained about the Easter Bunny—it was an ex-Catholic, Michael Burk; he is vice chairman of the school committee. No matter, I have news for Superintendent Rearick: he has not resolved the problem. “It is unconscionable that in this day and age Superintendent Rearick would choose to honor a thief. As every schoolchild knows, Peter Rabbit stole from Mr. McGregor’s garden. To now hold him up as a role model to impressionable youngsters sends the wrong signal. At the very least, grief counselors should be dispatched to tomorrow’s event. “There is also a more serious matter going on. The event smacks of sexism: Peter Rabbit had three sisters—Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail—and there is no historical record of them ever having committed a crime. So why were they passed over? Looks like the glass ceiling is still in place. “We urge everyone to register their outrage by contacting Superintendent Rearick at [EMAIL=wrearick@tivertonschools.org.]wrearick@tivertonschools.org.[/EMAIL] Tell him to bring the Easter Bunny back as only ex-Catholics are likely to be offended.” The Catholic League is the nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization. It defends individual Catholics and the institutional Church from defamation and discrimination. |
That was dead-on and a COMPLETE beatdown by the Catholic League president. That guy is good.
Posted by SimpleLife on Apr. 07 2007,12:24 pm
Where did you get this, the Onion? 
Posted by Eddie Cochran's Ghost on Apr. 07 2007,12:32 pm
It is very "Onion-like". I'm still not sure what to think as far as it being a real story. If it is a spoof, it was a good one.
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 07 2007,1:11 pm
| Quote (SimpleLife @ April 07 2007,12:24pm) |
| Where did you get this, the Onion? |
Nope, it does sound like the onion though.
Catholic League -< Press Release >
Posted by Botto 82 on Apr. 07 2007,9:16 pm
| Quote |
| I am astonished that Schools Superintendent Rearick only recently discovered Jews and Muslims. But better late than never. |
These ACLU types need to be run out of the country on a rail. They are dismantling everything our ancestors built this nation on. Soon we'll be a hodgepodge of multicultural garbage, a third-world country on a third-world planet, with everyone living in constant fear of offending someone.
Maybe we should emigrate to Dubai and demand that all Islamic reference be stricken, as they offend us. Yeah, see how far that flies.
Posted by busybee on Apr. 08 2007,3:43 am
| Quote |
| They are dismantling everything our ancestors built this nation on. Soon we'll be a hodgepodge of multicultural garbage, a third-world country on a third-world planet, with everyone living in constant fear of offending someone. |
Couldn't agree more.
Posted by bianca on Apr. 08 2007,7:29 am
I'm still wondering how the Easter bunny got to be a religious symbol 
Posted by Spidey on Apr. 08 2007,8:27 am
Here are some fun facts about Easter symbols. There is a ton of info with a google search. I thought this was kind of a fun read 
Easter Symbols
Easter Bells:- Are rung in France and Italy throughout the year but they are not rung on the Thursday before good Friday. They are silent as way to remember the death of Jesus. They are then rung on Easter Sunday as way of telling people Jesus is alive again.
The Cross:- This is the symbol for the Christian religion as Jesus was nailed to a cross but then came back to life.
The Easter Lily:- The lily was a reminder to the Christians of how Jesus came back to life. The white Easter Lily is used in many Easter services. It is supposed to be a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary.
Easter Flowers:- Such as daffodil, narcissus and the tulip. Area symbol as they bloom in the spring.
Pussy Willows:- These are especially picked at Easter in England and Russia. People would tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of the pussy willow for good luck.
Lambs:- The lamb is a symbol as people thought of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who would watch over them as they were lambs. Lambs are born in spring. The Israelites also used lamb's blood to save their firstborn in ancient Egypt.
Rabbits:- Rabbits are reminder of spring and new life. They were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre.
The Egg:- These are a symbol of spring as well as Easter. They are a sign of new life.
Chicks:- The chicks are born from eggs and are a reminder of spring and Easter.
Candles:- Candles give light in darkness. Jesus is seen as "the eternal light" showing Christians the way from death to life.
Palm Branches:- These are used as a symbol of peace.
Bread:- Unleavened flat bread is eaten to remember Jesus's sacrifice.
Wine:- Red wine is drunk to remember Jesus shedding His blood for humans.
Fireworks:- These are believed to frighten away evil spirits. They also show that out of darkness comes light.
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 08 2007,8:43 am
Did someone mention chicks and pussy?
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 08 2007,8:54 am
| Quote (bianca @ April 08 2007,7:29am) |
| I'm still wondering how the Easter bunny got to be a religious symbol |
From < easterbunnys.net >
| Quote |
| The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season. The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. These were made of pastry and sugar. The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs. The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country. |
Posted by bianca on Apr. 08 2007,9:17 am
Interesting info. Vielen Danke