Christmas tree vs. Holiday tree

[happychem]

Some folks around here are upset that the Boston city council is calling this year's Christmas tree a "Holiday tree". So you understand the relevance, each year Halifax sends Boston a tree as a "thank-you" for the help Bostonians gave after the Halifax explosion.

So I put it to you folks:
Should we call Christmas trees "Holiday trees" in a bid to be more welcoming of, or less offensive to, other creeds, or is this political "correctness" run amok?

Since I started the thread, I get to post my opinion first.

Personally, I don't think that we should marginalize our culture to avoid "offending" others. So long, of course, as the elements of our culture do not involve actively attacking other cultures. We are a christian-based society and I believe that we, as others, are entitled to celebrate our traditions, which - agreed - are public. My point is that celebrating Christmas, whether it is a religeous or merely traditional, is - with the exception of the rampant consumerism - a celebration of peace, love, and togetherness. Certainly one cannot logically argue that this is offensive?

While we should be welcoming of other cultures, and envite them to share in our celebrations, and learn our culture while we learn from theirs, changing our culture demeans them as much as it demeans us. The celebration should be called a Holiday celebration, and all cutures should be envited to share elements of their seasonal celebration. However, the tree is a tradition of the Christian celebration the same as the menorah (sp?) is tradtional of Chanukah.

Perhaps my opinion is tainted by my desire to learn from other cultures, but my ideal would be to be able to share in the celebrations of multiple cultures so that I could better understand them. If they were like me, they would be offended that we changed something to suit them. I would want to experience the celebration as they do, and I wouldn't want a jewish person calling their menorah a "non-denominations candle holder" for fear of offending me.

- sorry if it looks like I've singled out Judaism, it's just the only other culture that I've shared in enough to know traditions for comparison -

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Political correctness has gone too far...I am not a church going person (quel suprise) however Christmas is a Celebration of Jesus and the Christian faith...I am not offended by Nativity scenes (scant few these days) CHRISTMAS trees, somebody wishing me Merry Christmas etc...

Your point about the menorah is bang on...It is a Menorah, not a "festive candle stick"...Nobody is forced to participate in Christmas Celebrations, nor buy gifts...Part of living in a democratic, multi denominational society is to be tolerant of others and their beliefs...

There will always be those folks looking for something to be offended by..I am really getting tired of kow towing to these people...If you dont like it, stay home. It wont offend me in the least

 

[reiverix]

Holiday tree sounds just plain stupid. Enough said.

 

[Beeker]

The Christmas Tree is a symbol of Christmas and the meaning of Christ crucified on the tree of the cross, who died for our redemption. The Christmas tree is supposed to be a perfect triangle, which is often used to depict the Catechism song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Unfortunately, people don't seem to know what the actual twelve days of Christmas are (the days from Christmas to Three Kings Day (or Little Christmas in the Eastern Rite)) or the meaning of that Catechism song, nevermind understanding the Christmas Tree. I find it sad that Christianity is constantly attacked buy P.C. people, politicians, and lawyers (as if those are supposed to be seperate groups) but yet no other religion takes as much flak as Christians in movies, public, media, etc. But, like they say, "You get the most flak when you are over the target." If Christianity were a false religion, it would be as ignored as the other religions, excluding Judaism, which is where Christianity was founded and who has such fervor that no one would dare to do such alterations to their culture. I only wish Christians were as strong as them.

People have to understand that the term "political correctness" was coined by Lenin as his solution to the Kulaks, who were fiercly fighting against communism. Lenin stated that the only "politically correct" solution is to kill them all.

The controversy over the religious displays was started by the ACLU.
The ACLU, who started applying the term "politically correct" to cultural issues and constitutional issues happens to be a communist organization. It was founded by Roger Baldwin who said "Communism is the goal."
The ACLU uses the Bill of Rights to destroy the Bill of Rights. They are very selective in the cases that they choose. For example, you will never see the ACLU defend the Second Amendment.

Not all cultures are worthy of respect. If your concern is protecting human dignity and freedom, you will never see it protected outside of Western civilization. (Asia, Africa, Islamic societies, etc.)

Judeo-Christian heritage is attacked because it is an obstical to tyranny.

 

[nursie]

Here is the origins of the Christmas tree. Like several of Christianity's celebrations it has pagan origins and was appropriated for use by the church when converting the locals.
Check out this: http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html
it goes over how it came to be a Christian thing.


I say call it a Christmas tree. You are right..there is too much politial correctness out there. Call a spade a spade.

 

[daveedka]

I pretty much think it's amazing that people would go to the trouble of even thinking of re-naming it. Don't they have something better to do with their time. Maybe they could use that energy to help someone who needs assistance with shopping, or they could use their time and energy to spend a day at the soup kithen feeding homeless people.
In addition to all of the other good points brought up, I would just say that Freedom of religion should not be confused with Freedom from exposure to religion. All human beings have the right IMO to believe what they want and worship or abstain from Worship as they chose. none have the right to exclude anyone else's beliefs (assuming they are not otherwise illegal or immoral) from the public eye IMO. It's like trying to re-name Kosher Salami because "Kosher" has strong ties to a particular religion. Rediculous!!!!! If I were Halifax, I'd keep the tree and send a picture of everyone thumbing their noses to Boston instead. Things have gone much too far.

I can see nothing good coming from re-naming the christmas tree or even talking about ddoing so. The spirit of The holiday season (well descibed above) will be detracted from greatly over petty things like this.
dave

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I guess next they'll change the actual name of 'Christmas' to 'December 25th Holiday' to avoid offending anyone.

 

[Leopardess]

Do what is done in many public schools; next to the tree, put up symbols of other religious holidays. Maybe a big menorah and a symbol for Kwanzaa. It helps breed tolerance, knowledge, and diversity - and when many symbols are put together - you don't need to call a Christmas tree something different. That's how a lot of schools get around it.

 

[Boohoo]

December 25th will be renamed a non-denomanational winter holiday. And as for renaming the Christmas tree...thats just plain foolishness. If it offends people, get over it. I'm sure if we dig deep enough we could all find something that offends us. There is no way to satisfy everyone.

 

[lokisbuddy]

thank you nursie yule along with many other pagan holidays (easter or ostara) were used to convert the pagans by saying hey look at our religion its not so different from yours. i personally think that pagans should reclaim their holidays but now is not the time for such a discussion. i feel very little animosity towards the christian faith but i would like them to give credit to the pagans for a lot of their traditions.
i am sorry if i have offended anyone but that is how i feel