Posted on 11/27/2005 8:36:01 AM PST by Wrangler22
It should come as now surprise that the Left has struck another blow to America’s Christian community. This time they have succeeded in renaming the Christmas Tree in Boston a Holiday Tree.
Never mind that the Christmas Tree has been a tradition for hundreds of years. It was never a secular symbol. Leftist once again want to manipulate the constitution to block our block our freedom of religious expression.
The establishment clause was written to prevent the establishment of an official religion. It was never intended to block one of our fundamental freedoms, the freedom to express and practice religion.
They want to claim that the term Christmas Tree is offensive to some. I have yet to meet the Jewish person who objects. I would also suspect that those who celebrate Kwanza are equally not offended. No, it is the secular Left who is offended and making the rest of us pay. If fairness to other religions is the argument then place a Menorah next to the Tree along with the decorations appropriate to the celebration of Kwanza.
The move drew an angry response from Christian conservatives, including evangelist Jerry Falwell who heckled Boston officials and pressed the city to change the name back.
"There's been a concerted effort to steal Christmas," Falwell told Fox Television.
This is just plain wrong.
Yggdrasil bump
Not in the US it wasn't. The Christmas tree only started being widely used in the United States in the late 19th century after the tradition was adopted in Victorian England. And it was only adopted there after Victoria married a German who brought the tradition with him to England
It was never a secular symbol.
I'm not so sure about that. Until the early 20th century, Christmas was always a problematic holiday in the US. Parts of the country that were settled by Puritans and their Congregationalist decendents - New England, parts of NY, Ohio, and Indiana - generally banned the celebration of Christmas under penalty of law well into the 19th century. It was regularly described in these regions as little more than a Popish plot
Where it was celebrated, as in New York City, for example, it often resulted in drunken riots. If I remember my history correctly, it was a Christmas riot of 1829 that lead to the establishment of the NYPD.
The practice of using a Christmas tree was spread in the US largely by the example of North Eastern establishment types in the latter 19th century as part of a series of adopted practices to create a more family oriented and less religiously polarizing family holday at Christmas. In a sense then, the Christmas tree was used as a somewhat secular symbol
My point here is not to denegrate Christians who feel offended at Boston's actions or to defend said actions (which are pretty much on par for New England for most of it's history). Rather, it's simply to point of that the celebration of Christmas has always been complicated in the US, and widespread acceptance of the holiday only came with widespread secularization and commercialization.
Not for long if the Left has their way.
Then replace it with a Nativity scene.
DITTO
While I see your points, there is no denying that there is a movement to secularize Christmas, and the renaming of the tree is part of that effort.
Pagans used to leave gifts in the trees to appease the wood spirits and nature. In some parts of Europe, they used to leave infants in the trees, as a sacrifice. This is briefly reflected in one of the courtly love poems by Marie de France, "Le Fresne," written circa 12th century.
You are also correct that the Christmas tree only became a mainstream custom here in the United States during the 19th century.
Despite these tidbits, the secularization of Christmas continues - completely overlooking the point of the holiday (Holy Day), which is Christ's Mass.
I like the tradition that some families are adopting, which is abandoning the tree altogether and putting the gifts under a manger.
Dont give up:
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
The spirit of Christmas lives on. I will put up our tree, send out Christmas Cards, wish people a Merry Christmas and play Christmas songs all day long through the Month of Dec.
I dont allow people to change my spirit. It is the spirit of giving, peace on earth, and good will to all men. When you make people hear what the true meaning of Christmas is dont forget you cant shove it down their throat, you gently wrap it in a box with a bow and shove it in love by saying Merry Christmas and simply smile....It works every time.
Oh and dont forget to whistle Christmas jingles in the office, it really gets them going. They may even subconsciously start to whistle themselves...ooooh it makes them soooooo angry.
Peace and Joy.. I LOVE CHRISTMAS>
I always say Merry Christmas to people after they tell me "Happy Holidays"
They don't complain about the day off though. I say if you don't celebrate you must work.
You noticed that too, eh?
Disturrrrbing!
quit complaning,
Festivus is ignored completly by nearly everyone............
LOL . . . Get the Pole George!
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