Posted on 12/15/2004 7:54:28 AM PST by vox_freedom
BELLEVUE -- The latest flare-up over Christmas trees in public places has longtime Bellevue chiropractor and resident Sidney Stock protesting the large tree standing in the lobby of City Hall.
The tree is a symbol of Christianity, Stock and his wife, Jennifer, told City Council members this week. They said it is inappropriate to display symbols of any religion in a public place.
Their objection follows a recent flap over Christmas trees at branch libraries in the King County Library System, which first banned trees then decided to allow them at the discretion of branch librarians.
``I think it's inappropriate,'' Stock said on Tuesday about the tree. ``It devalues our separation of religion and state.
``People have a right to put all the Christmas trees and decorations and crosses and Stars of David they choose in their home, church, synagogue or mosque, and that's fine. They can put it on a shirt or Roller blades if the want. But I deeply resent the intrusion of anybody's religion into public space.''
City spokeswoman Barbara Ramey, however, said the mostly unadorned Season of Sharing tree, as it is called, is designed to encourage people to donate gifts and cash for needy families.
She said Bellevue's policy is consistent with state and federal laws regarding the separation of church and state.
But Stock isn't buying that. The fundamental issue, he says, is that public funds are being spent, if not directly, for a religious symbol.
``It doesn't make a bit of difference. No matter if it's called a giving tree or anything else, it is associated with a Christian holiday,'' said Stock, who describes himself as both an atheist and a committed Jew.
``It has unseverable connections to the Christmas holiday. No matter how commercial it becomes, it remains a Christian holiday.''
Jennifer Stock said she grew up in England, ``where Christianity is the religion of the country. But my understanding of the U.S. is that it was to get away from all that stuff,'' she said.
``We have one religion represented in public places and none of the others, because you couldn't represent all of them.
``Our argument is we shouldn't have any religious symbols at all. It should be respectful of everybody.''
Sidney Stock said he is satisfied that some progress has been made on the issue of displaying religious symbols at City Hall.
Ramey said ``Christmas trees, though the name might imply otherwise, have been deemed a non-Christian symbol.''
She noted that each year the City Hall tree draws more than 800 contributions worth $16,000 to $25,000.
Bellevue strives to be inclusive, she said, and wants to allow freedom of expression without offending anyone.
Ramey said an employees' committee studied the issue of religious symbols this year.
In an e-mail sent to city employees in early November, the city's personnel director, Yvonne Tate, acknowledged the committee's input and wrote of the ``importance of being sensitive to the diversity of cultures and beliefs.''
She asked, via e-mail, that employees ``use discretion and sensitivity when displaying decoration symbols to ensure there is not an overt religious theme. Ideally, use lights, seasonal colors, flowers, etc., for decorations versus religious symbols.''
David Grant can be reached at david.grant@kingcountyjournal.com or 425-453-4237.
Some people are idiots, and there's nothing we can do about that.
and little people shall become kings...
I think the guy hates hius parents enought to reject the rules and regs of his religion - but still hates Christians enough to crap on their parade. A very sick lib freak indeed.
When will someone make the point, in public or in court, that "Christianity" is not a religion? Southern baptist: part of a religion. Sunni moslem: religion. Reform Jew: religion. Missouri Synod Lutheran: religion. Christian? Describes, at best, a common belief that Christ existed. There are "Christians" who do not believe in the divinity of Christ. There are Christians who do not believe in celebrating Christmas. The beliefs of various Christian religions differ as much as mohammedans and Christians. Even if you believe in the dubious concept of "separation of church and state", you're going to have to tell me which "church" you're separating before you can do anything about it.
I guess hyping vitamins and "neutriceuticals", giving colonics and possibly contributing to irreversible injury by "adjusting" backs isn't enough to keep this moron happy.
If we just told these people the tree was originally a Pagan tradition, they wouldn't object.
"...said Stock, who describes himself as both an atheist and a committed Jew."
That doesn't fly. I have to tell my old ladies at a Jewish nursing home about this yahoo.
Are the Atheists coming out in droves lately?
There was a time in America where the Homosexuals and the Atheists didn't show there disgusting selfs, now they are like Roaches, any way to stamp them out????
Silliness! There's nothing wrong with Christmas trees in public places, and those who object to them are even sillier.
This way the idiots that think good art has to be vulgar are appeased.
Christians who understand what it means for God himself to have taken on human form and passed through the travail of natural childbirth in a feeding trough can also celebrate.
"There was a time in America where the Homosexuals and the Atheists didn't show there disgusting selfs, now they are like Roaches, any way to stamp them out????
"
Stamp them out? What do you mean, missyme? I'm an atheist. How do you plan to stamp me out? Please think about what you're saying.
Well said.
That would explain why a Christmas Tree is there.
Check this out. Some guy in Bellevue has a major problem with Christmas trees. Can you imagine the rage he feels when he goes downtown and sees all the beautiful, festive decorations?
The horror.
Yeah, the athiests (socialists/leftists) are protesting Christmas this year because they lost the election. What they're really protesting is that they weren't able to cheat their way into electing sKerry. This is their method of 'payback'. It too will pass.
It's the JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS
Welcome Mr McKinney!
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