What is the Christian Conservatives Problem with the term 'Holiday Tree'?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051125/us_nm/life_tree_dc

Basically what the story talks about is that in Boston, they put up a tree called a 'Holiday Tree' and not a 'Christmas Tree'. The Christian Conservatives are mad because of this????? I mean isn't the holiday season for a couple different holidays; Christmas, Channukah, and Kwanzah? (correct me if the spellings are wrong). Jerry Fallwell's afraid that this 'Holiday Tree' takes away the meaning of Christmas, but isn't the meaning of Christmas to think about others, no matter what religion? Tell me please, I'd like to know, why is it such a big problem to dedicate a large tree as a 'Holiday Tree' which is more than just a 'Christmas Tree'...

 

because many from the christian right say that christmas is to celebrate the birth of Gods son. They also believe that America is a christian nation and therefore as this is the 'right' and only way of living then they should be the only ones celebrating. I remember the same type of outrage, when in my old city- the council used the term 'Winterfest' on a banner instead of christmas, and many got outraged even though they didn't know waht christmas was about. and also there were more muslims in this city then christians, so i wasn't too bothered by the change.
peacex

 

It is strange, considering the fact that the Christmas tree is prolly some continuation of an ancient pagan ritual that was changed to have christian overtones during the dark ages. Like Christmas itself, valentine's day, easter, santeria (aka voodoo) etc...
But to be fair, Kwanza is a completely made-up holiday that no one really follows.
And Channuka is an extremely unimportant holiday (Compared to say, Yom Kippur), and is really only given as much importance as it is in order to placate young children who don't understand why they're left out of the whole Christmas thing.

 

They're upset that the word 'Christmas' was removed, regardless of whether a Christmas tree has anything to do with the roots of Christianity.

Pat Robertson refers to it as the spread of 'secular humanism'.

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Dec. 25 has nothing historically to do with the birth of the Christian Jesus.
There is not a shred of info as to the date of his birth except it was getting close to tax time and "the shepards were tending their flocks by night" which is not done in Dec.
In the 6th century c.e. the pope decieded to celebrate it on Dec. 25 to "steal" the holiday from the pagans. It was a very special day even before religions were established, since it's true date is the day after the winter solstice--the shortest day of the year--meaning the days will now start getting longer. A good reason to celebrate.
The Yule log, the tree indoors, the giving of gifts, the celebrations all predate Christianity by many thousands of years.
As far as Kwanza being a "made-up holiday", so are Memorial and Labor Day.

 

I propose that we have a 'Capitalism Day' separate from Christmas. That way, we can keep Christmas a truly religious event and not bastardize it with spending sprees. Capitalism day could be in the summer, say August, when people can drive to the store more easily instead of driving in the snow.

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Let's hope so.

I don't think it should even be called a holiday tree.

holidays = holy days

Get rid of all of em.

 

It is a christmas tree. Thats why.

Unless you are going to argue that other religions are incorporating it into theirs.

Why call it a holiday tree? Why not put up a christmas tree, a menorah(sp?), and other religious symbols? Why destroy symbols of the religion and incorporate it into something like a 'holiday tree'

Also, i think it was wrong to mislead the guy who donated the tree when he expected it to be called a christmas tree. They should return the tree and get another one if they want it to be a holiday tree.

 

is the christmas tree a relgious symbol, is santa a relgious symbol? christmas now is celebrated by many for different reasons, i like it, just a reason to be happy and with your family and friends. if it was just a relgious holiday, most people could not celebrate it and there would be no tree, santa etc

 

Edit: is santa a religious symbol? Good question. I dont know how to answer that honestly.


Just because many people celebrate christmas doesn't mean we should rename it to holiday tree.

Again, i dont see why this means we should change it from christmas tree to holiday tree.

Should we rename christmas because many non-religious people celebrate it?

How about Giant Day Of Celebration That Used To Be Called Christmas?

 

Aside from the sentimental attachment to the word itself (Christmas) I think conservative christians see this as a demotion of their faith.


There's an attitude among some factions of the christian church that America and christianity are supposed to be synonomous. Other faiths (as well as secularism) are tolerated, but only so long as they keep a low profile.

Calling it a "holiday tree" puts secularism on the same footing as christianity, which I'm sure they see as blasphemy.

 

Why should it be renamed? What is wrong with each religion displaying their own symbols for their own holidays?

It is kinda funny(no sad actually). If jerry falwell was telling Spanish Immigrants to conform to American Culture, you guys would be blasting him as a racist, bigot, etc.

But you guys fully advocate Christianity conforming and you think it is nuts that Christians want their religion respected.

 

I second the motion!

 

Lol! I'm all for renaming Jesus "the Icon formerly known as the Prince of Peace".

 

Capitalism Day all the way... Instead of a tree we could have a giant dollar bill, and instead of wrapping paper... dollars bills..

 

No. Dollar bills as wrapping paper = less items under the tree.

 

Nothing if they want to pay for them. The article states that the tree (or at least the place it's being displayed) was payed for by the taxpayers (which btw means the church shouldn't have anything to say about it, since it doesn't pay taxes).

No, I would shake my head and laugh like I do when he says anything;"Ah have sinned!*sob*".

They don't want it respected. They want it exhalted above every other belief system. Nobody's asking Christianity to conform, they're just telling christianity that it can't expect a multi-cultural society to automatically conform to Christian sentiment.

"I grew up with a Christmas tree, I'm going to stay with a Christmas tree," Menino told reporters on Thursday.
See what I mean? Pure sentimentality. It's a sign of immaturity in anybody, it's completely inappropriate for someone holding public office in a culturally diverse setting.

 

Most certainly NOT a violation of church and state.

Bull. You're changing the name from christmas tree to holiday tree! By keeping it as a christmas tree we are somehow exalting christianity? What a load of CRAP!

WTF? Should we rename a menorah a "holiday candleholder?" How about instead fo the islamic crescent we just call it "moon looking thingie?"


We have freedom OF religion in this country, not freedom FROM RELIGION!

We should not be banishing religion from public life. Congress should not be establishing a religion.

 

Actually we have both according to the founding fathers.

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"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

"Religions are all alike - founded upon fables and mythologies." - Thomas Jefferson

"History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government." - Thomas Jefferson

"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people." - James Madison

" The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity." - John Adams

"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches." - Benjamin Franklin


* also see the Law and Government section for more


"...the number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people, have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the State - James Madison

"Every new and successful example, therefore, of a perfect separation between the ecclesiastical and civil matters, is of importance; and I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together" - James Madison



"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." - Benjamin Franklin



"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

 

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"[size=+1]Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"


Maybe we should get rid of christmas as a federal holiday..that would be a violation of church and state after all> Dont see many people up for that
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