EDITORIAL

Plain and simple: It’s an idea of which we take a dim view.

When Newport-Mesa’s school board president, Dana Black, ordered

strings of holiday lights removed from Mariners Elementary School this

week, she made a mistake, even if the reason for it is laudable.

Certainly, no religious Christmas decorations should be hung on public

property. But there is a difference between laying out a manger scene,

for instance, and stringing up a row of white lights. The first clearly

is unacceptable. But the second?

Numerous Jewish leaders had no problem with the display, noting that

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. And laws allow secular decorations,

including white lights, on public buildings.

Still, Rabbi Mark S. Miller of Newport Beach’s Temple Bat Yam -- one

of the few who supported Black’s action -- was correct when he said

Christians need to realize that not all their neighbors or schoolmates

share their religious beliefs.

We understand and respect his concern, but that could hardly be

contained at the schoolroom door.

In the days and weeks leading up to Dec. 25, it’s impossible to go to

a shopping mall without being bombarded by Santas and Christmas music.

While this is understandably difficult for non-Christians, tampering

with this is tantamount to changing the other cultural institutions, such

as the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving, that Americans hold dear.

Black was right in recognizing the rights of those non-Christians, and

for that we applaud her.

But in trying to be sensitive to it, she forgot to consider the

feelings of the parents who put the lights up and the students who liked

having a festive accent added to their school.

In fact, Mariners parents are complaining that their efforts to make

improvements at the school are going unrewarded and unwanted. That’s a

sentiment that, left unaddressed by the board, could fester into a major

problem.

This episode still could be salvaged. It provides a tangible starting

point to discuss where religious beliefs differ and why. While that may

not be a simple topic for our schools to address, it would be worth the

effort and the time to try.

And in the end, coming to a better understanding of our differences --

and where we fundamentally agree -- would be a welcome holiday gift for

us all.