School Production of 'A Christmas Carol' Cancelled over Line: 'God Bless Us, Everyone'

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Dec 22, 2016

School Production of 'A Christmas Carol' Cancelled over Line: 'God Bless Us, Everyone'

A Centerville Elementary School fifth grade production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has reportedly been cancelled. Charisma News reports the Pennsylvania school had been putting on the annual production for over 40 years. 

The play will reportedly not take place this year because some parents took offense at Tiny Tim’s classic line, “God bless us, everyone.” 

Local resident Jane Burkhart expressed her disappointment in the decision to television station WHTM. 

"I was very surprised because it's going on for decades, and it's a tradition at the school that everyone looks forward to," Burkhart said. "One little line shouldn't ruin it for every kid. Charles Dickens is a class author, not a religious author."

Centerville Elementary School principal Tom Kramer addressed the cancellation in a written statement, without mentioning Tiny Tim’s line about God. 

"We understand that some parents are upset that the play was cancelled, but we have heard from families on both ends of the spectrum, including those who expressed appreciation that the play, as it had traditionally been prepared and delivered, was cancelled," Kramer wrote.

"Our decision is rooted in the desire to be respectful of the many cultural and religious backgrounds represented by the students attending Centerville Elementary.” 

Kramer also said that the 20 hours it would take to produce “A Christmas Carol” was another contributing factor of the cancellation. 

"Given the changes in state standards in recent years, we could not defend the commitment of this kind of instructional time to something not part of the fifth-grade curriculum," Kramer wrote.

 

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: December 22, 2016



School Production of 'A Christmas Carol' Cancelled over Line: 'God Bless Us, Everyone'