Actually your question points out the fact that the Christmas tree is a rather non-religious symbol. Plenty of Jews and atheists put them up. My own Jewish-atheist father-in-law puts one up. The Christmas tree is hardly a good example for the Jewish rabbi to be trying to make his case. In fact, all he will end up doing is causing (unjustified but understandable) resentment against Jews. Brilliant move, rabbi.
If its a non-religous symbol then christians shouldn’t be upset.
No, but the easter bunny was
THe Rabbi wasn’t looking for a removal of trrees, but for an addition of menorah.No, but the easter bunny was
Actually wasn’t the Christmas tree an incorporated tradition from German pagan traditions? Granted paganism is also religion, but still…its not like it means much today. They are pretty to look at for crying out loud. I could understand protesting the cutting down of innocent trees for ornamental displays but because its strictly Christian? Please take your intolerance elsewhere.
Speaking of WalMart, I went there today to get a box of cards of Christmas cards for one of the patients at Hospice. She wanted religious cards, and there were many, many boxes, but the religious cards were on the end of the shelves and there were only three different ones and few of these. Sad.As opposed to making money in the name of Jesus?
Merchants sending “holiday” cards do so in an attempt not to insult potential customers. Merchants that send holiday cards saying “Merry Christmas” do so in an attempt to encourage potential customers. Neither are doing so out of religious conviction. I don’t recall seeing Wallmart at shul this year? Did you see it at church?
well now no one gets anything…they way it should be.
I agree with that as well.
I know the Jews have more than their fair share of influence over the way things are run in this country (and the world), but your people make up what percentage of Americans? Is it 2%? Christians make up about 85% of the American public…it seems a bit excessive to demand that a menorah be placed alongside Christmas trees (which are a secular symbol of Christmas anyway, nativity scenes would be better) to appease the >2%, especially since Chanukah is not even a major holiday within Judaism. I wonder if they put Christmas trees alongside menorahs in Israel where there is a small Christian population?
that is interesting…but I do not agree.
I agree with the Pope, I think we have let the “Christian” culture slide away in this nation and we are reaping what we sowed in the process.
the bolded part I agree with…
I feel if this country does not soon turn back to Christ, the country will cease to exist failry soon…within 50 years. The culture is based in Christian ethics and morality and we are quickly tossing that aside for secularism amd rampant materialism, replacing God every chance we can in all public areas including school.
well God is very much in place in my kids schools…but then they do attend a Catholic school.
No, it’s not that Christians shouldn’t be upset, it’s that even more than Christians should be upset (and I’m sure they will be). As I said, the Christmas tree a symbol enjoyed not only by Christians but by very many non-Christians as well. Everybody who enjoys some traditional notion of Christmas as celebrated in the United States, either Christian or secular, should be upset. And that is still most Americans.
I have no issue with other symbols being present and also have no issue with the predominant symbol this time of the year being Christian symbols. If Jews would like a menorah, fine…star of David, no problem. I also see no reason they have to be side by side or of equal size or stature because 92% of the citizens of this nation celebrate Christmas in one wway or another…I would say that is significant.
Yes, the trees apparently were rather large.
I need to modify my response. What I posted above can be applied to state and federal buildings outside the scope of Christmas because our constitution does demand respect for all faiths. However, Christmas is a federal holiday, whereas other days of celebration for other faiths are not yet legal holiday status. Therefore, regarding Christmas only, I have no issue with any building displaying symbols of the holiday that has been federally approved.
that would mean a menorah too would be displayed otherwise we end up with what we currently have in SEA…a Rabbi going ballistic becuase there is no Menorah to celebrate teh Jewish holiday that falls two weeks before Christmas!