Saugus Superintendent Gets Death Threats After Santa Claus Controversy

Saugus Superintendent Gets Death Threats After Santa Controversy

December 22, 2011 8:47 AM

Santa Claus arrives in Saugus.

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SAUGUS (CBS) – Saugus Schools Superintendent Richard Langlois received death threats days after he tried to stop to a tradition of allowing Santa Claus to visit the public schools.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Carl Stevens reports

Read: Keller @ Large: Sanity Prevails In Saugus

Langlois reversed that decision and Santa made his annual visit this week.

But the controversy had legs, went national and along came the death threats.

School committee member Joe Malone said he couldn’t believe it.

“I was really appalled to hear it. I mean things have really gone to an extreme when somebody gets death threats over an issue like this and it’s sad there are some sick people out there,” he told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Thursday.

Malone said Langlois has done an excellent job in Saugus and they wish the controversy would just go away.

Saugus Superintendent Gets Death Threats After Santa Controversy

Colleen Conley

I think it’s sad that the public schools don’t allow anything holiday related for these children. We teach tolerance but yet those who we should tolerate should be tolerant as well. We Catholics and Christians have a right to celebrate our traditions as well.

massman

Schools don’t allow holiday celebrations? There are all kinds of holiday celebrations going on at my kids school. Enough with the “poor Christians” rhetoric. I’m quite certain these death threats came from “Christians”

JennyK

My kids were recently in a “holiday” show at their public school. On the program, there was a picture of a menorah and a Star of David. I agree that we should be teaching about traditions other than our own, but if we can put Jewish symbols, why can’t we put a pcture of a cross or a manger?

gyrene0326

Hey JennyK, It’s not the “Jews” who object to these things. It’s politically correct Christian idiots like the school superintendent. When I went to school, we had celebrations for all faiths, and I see nothing wrong with crosses, stars of david, santa claus or christmas trees. It’s part of our heritage as Americans.

Willow

I don’t think it was Christians who created the phrase, “Politically correct.”
JennyK

Let’s not generalize Christians as “politically correct idiots”! I am a proud Christian and have no problem with my kids learning about Hanukkah or Kwanza or any other holiday. I just don’t think it’s right that we can’t put a Cross next to a Menorah.

Enough

because apparently anything like a cross or manger, or even Santa, is now deemed “offensive” by the politically correct police. they and they alone know what is best for everyone. no more fun for kids.

Willow

I think instead of worrying who’s showing what or who isn’t, we should all just look within our hearts and whether we think someone is right or wrong, find the love that God intended us to have for everyone, not just those who agree with us, and spread it around. Try smiling at one person you don’t know today and see if you don’t get one right back. It takes so much less energy then a scowl. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whichever feels right to everyone.
massman

The guy received DEATH THREATS. From good christians no doubt.

Willow

massman, you don’t know that. Why do you hate believers so much? I don’t hate you for being an atheist. So can’t you just be a little respectful?

blackbear1

Willow,
massman is high. Read some of his other posts regarding smoking pot.

Buddy

Maybe it was Santa Claus who threatened him. Maybe David? Maybe Allah? WHo really cares though. The guy is annoying as heck and I think he is making the whole thing up.
Lindylou

Santa Claus is not a christian idol so there should be no religious connotation at all. The manger, menorah and other religious symbols do not belong in a public school.
massman

Willow – I’m not the one threatening to end a man’s life just because he made an unpopular decision. Which he reversed. Mr. Keller’s opinion piece on the subject started, Sanity Prevails. Really?
Also, do not accuse me of hating believers. First of all, hate is a very strong word. Secondly, the majority of people on this planet believe in some higher power in one way or another. Most of those people have associated that higher power to a belief system, based mainly on demographics, and childhood influence. I don’t hate people because of it. I just hate religion. How am I being disrespectful by the way?

Willow

Massman, I apologize for my misunderstanding of what you were saying. You’re right, hate is a very strong word, and I’m sorry I put words in your mouth, but you did in the end state that you, “hate,” religion. That isn’t hating a person,. I’m sorry for the mistake. Maybe I just see it as disrespectful to put down other’s beliefs. If I’m wrong again, I apologize again.

Carla

Someone should point out to the Superintendent that there is NO mention of Santa Claus in the Bible. For goodness sakes, let the kids have their fun!
Mrs. Claus

The whole thing was much ado about nothing. Langolis should have kept his nose out of it. Especially since he’s planning on jumping ship to a new job soon anyway.. If the town wants to get involved in Christmas, why don’t they do something about that idiot and his lights on the Fellsway – it’s a safety hazard and the traffic is RIDICULOUS. You want to stop something? Put a stop to that circus. People in the neighborhood are sick to death of it.
tssal

I feel as if the entire point has been missed here. The superintendent got death threats because he didn’t want to allow Santa at the school. Do people who want Santa at the school – Christian or not – really believe that threatening to kill someone is not as hypocritical as a person can get.

How does the Christian vs non believer vs non Christian discussion even come into this. It’s wrong no matter what you do or do not believe. I feel as if some are so wrapped up in making sure that they are not offended for whatever they believe that they don’t even see what the real problem is.
Jens

“I was really appalled to hear it. I mean things have really gone to an extreme when somebody gets death threats over an issue like this and it’s sad there are some sick people out there,” -

Well gee – the same could be said for someone wanting to ban Santa!!!