MUSTANG, Okla. -- Lakehoma Elementary School's annual Christmas performance was to include a rendition of "Silent Night" on Thursday evening after Mustang school officials reached a compromised in a dispute over Christian religious elements in the program.

Video

'Silent Night' Reinstated In Mustang Christmas Program

The decision came after a number of Mustang residents complained and others announced plans to stage a silent protest Thursday night during the evening performance. Superintendent Karl Springer had originally banned a staged nativity scene and the singing of "Silent Night" because of First Amendment concerns.

However, during an early performance of the program on Thursday, parents and grandparents who attended the program said they were surprised to hear "Silent Night" in its entirety.

Mustang resident Gerald Lett said he thought it was ridiculous to ban the song in the first place.

"I think it's asinine," Lett said. "It's another case of taking our rights away to serve somebody's minority rights."

Community members said they were deeply concerned by the school district's decision to ban the Christian elements of the school's holiday program, which also discusses cultural and religious traditions such as Kwanzaa and Chanukah.

But the school district concluded Thursday morning that the song and the nativity scene were separate elements. The school district's attorney said that previous Supreme Court decisions have allowed Christmas songs in schools, which made it acceptable to reinstate the song.

Community member Diana Merrill said she was pleased to hear the song during Thursday's special performance.

"I'm glad they had it in," Merrill said. "I mean, that's part of Christmas, and that's where it belongs -- in a Christmas play."

Despite the inclusion of the song, some concerned parents and other community members still planned to stage a nativity scene on private property across from the Mustang High School auditorium, where the evening production was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Protest organizers also told Eyewitness News 5 that a group sponsored by the Mustang United Methodist Church plans to sing "Silent Night" across from the school.

The nativity scene was still excluded from the performance as of Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, Springer told The Associated Press that he does not approve of students playing the Biblical roles of Mary, Joseph and the three wise men, which was planned as part of the original version of the play.

Previous Story:

Dec. 8, 2004: Mustang School Removes Christian Portion Of Holiday Play