Reverend Franklin Graham cannot believe that a school district in Kentucky censored the recitation of Linus of the Bible verses Luke 2:8 to 14 in "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
"The gag order included the play's most meaningful moment, as Linus recites Luke 2:8-14 and says 'that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.' Students were ordered to leave out the true meaning of Christmas recorded in the Bible. What kind of Christmas program is that? It's a shame that many no longer welcome Christ in His own story!" Graham writes on his Facebook page. "The school superintendent said that the entire passage was cut after the district received a single complaint — One! Good grief."
Graham says that when Peanuts' creator Charles Schultz originally wrote that Christmas special 50 years ago, the producers threatened to drop Linus' recitation of the birth of Jesus because putting the Bible in animation had never been done before.
"But Schultz didn't back down then, and we shouldn't back down now. He was absolutely right when he said, 'If we're going to do a Christmas special, we've really got to do it the right way and talk about what Christmas is all about,'" says Graham.
The evangelist was impressed that when members of the audience found out what the school district had done to the beloved play, they jumped in and recited the Scripture that had been taken out. "Good for them!" comments Graham. "Now that's what Christmas is all about!"
The controversial verses from the play read: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
