VIDEO: Audience Recites Bible Passage Cut from School's A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS has been a beloved part of American pop culture since it was first broadcast by CBS in 1965.

But at that time the network was hesitant about allowing Charles M. Schulz's animated special's climatic scene, where Linus relieves Charlie Brown of his anxiety over the over-commercialization of the holiday by reciting a passage from the Gospel of Luke, reminding him of the true meaning of Christmas:

"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 down 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 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men."

The First Amendment's separation of church and state came into conflict with its protection of artistic expression last week, when students from W.R. Castle Elementary School in Johnson County, Kentucky were forbidden from using Linus' speech in their production of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, resulting in an instance of audience members reciting the passage themselves from their seats at the appropriate time.

The moment was captured on video.

The Washington Times reports that Johnson County Schools Superintendent Thomas Salyer sent a memo earlier this month directing schools not to endorse any particular religion in their holiday performances.

W.R. Castle Elementary School Principal Jeff Cochran subsequently had the biblical quote removed, resulting in protests outside the school district offices in Paintsville for several days.

The principal expressed disappointment in the audience's reaction, saying, "I wish that they had let the kids do the play."

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