An attempt to make an all-inclusive version of the famous Christmas song "Silent Night" is creating a lot of noise on Long Island.
A number of parents and students have expressed their anger after fifth graders at the Kings Park school performed the iconic song without all of the song's religious references, including the words Christ, God and Jesus.
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A spokesperson for the school district said the principal and choral director at RJO Intermediate School decided to teach the students the alternate version so as not to offend non-Christians. But for many, that thinking itself is what was offensive.
Parent Dan Gallo expressed his dismay to WABC-TV, "Why would you change the lyrics to something that is very near and dear to so many people?"
Others interviewed did not mind the rearranged song.
School district officials tell WABC they're just as offended as everyone else and they offer their sincerest apologies to the community.