Christ is born---Merry Christmas.
Posted on 12/09/2005 11:39:49 AM PST by Liz
The fir has been flying on Long Island over a Christmas tree-lighting celebration in the tony North Shore community of Manhasset.
The North Hempstead town supervisor, who is Jewish, objected to a local Catholic priest's religious blessing at last Friday's ceremony.........
What followed was a mini-holy war.....that ended with Supervisor Jon Kaiman bowing to public outrage and repeatedly apologizing to the Rev. Nick Zientarski.........
In a widely circulated e-mail, "Father Nick," associate pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manhasset, noted that when he was invited to the annual event, "I thought about what kind of blessing to give — something generic or something 'Catholic.'
"It seemed to me that because this was a Christmas tree, it would be OK to use the blessing from my Catholic tradition."
But when he did, he heard Kaiman fuming behind him......
When the blessing was finished.....Kaiman took the microphone and "in a harsh, annoyed voice," told the crowd, "I just want to make it clear that this is in no way a religious ceremony....."We're here to celebrate the holiday tree lighting. This is not the place for a religious ceremony."
Father Nick asked his e-mail recipients, "Was I wrong to give a Christian blessing at a Christmas tree lighting that also included music like 'Silent Night' ................
The answer — straight from a very repentant Kaiman — is no. "I'm taking a more open view of the matter, and I've apologized for how I handled the matter and will have a better understanding in the future".....
"In retrospect, after conversations with a number of people, including Father Nick Zientarski, there's nothing wrong with calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree."
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Awwwwww. That's so heart-warming. What a sweetheart.
People like Jon Kaiman embarrass Jews and help promote anti-Semitism.
Not if they can admit they were wrong, as he did.
Does that mean we don't have to call Menorahs "Holiday Candle Holders", or the Baby Jesus "Holiday Baby"?
There is a whole industry devoted to fighting anti-semitism. If they didn't keep things stirred up, they would have to go get honest jobs. Same thing with the anti-racism crowd.
Call Jackie Mason about Kaiman.....sheesh, whata Dork!
His admission will get slight coverage as the story dies, while his antics made the front pages.
Or a dreidal "Holiday Craps".
ROFL....
Merry Christmas is NOT Offensive—Jews Should Protect Religious Freedom for Everyone
...or the Baby Jesus "Holiday Baby"?
ROTFL! You almost killed me with this one! Good one!
Christ is born---Merry Christmas.
Especially for Mr Kaiman.
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