Posted on 12/05/2006 7:56:17 AM PST by The Ghost of JG
It is a holiday protocol predicament. A town in Florida placed a Jewish Menorah in the center of its public forum, forcing the Christian Nativity scene to one side.
While to some the question would be moot or just a matter of decorative taste, according to Sondra Snowdon, a self-described Christian activist, it is a clear case of religious discrimination.
Snowdon, who claims to have received numerous death threats, made news in recent years for taking Bay Harbor Islands, Florida to court to allow a Nativity scene at Christmas." Now, Snowdon says, the town isn’t complying with a Federal court order and she is “calling on all Christians to respond to the outrage of unfairness in regards to the town giving religious preference to Judaism and the Menorah over her Christian Nativity."
(Excerpt) Read more at speroforum.com ...
Sounds more like a Real Estate Agent: "LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
Get a life Sondra.
Sondra needs a hobby
Indeed.
It's not like Christians don't accept and believe the miracle of the oil, equally as much as Jews do. (Perhaps just not as educated on the issue.)
They both sound like tassles on the lunatic fringe.
I would say if Menorahs are in, Nativity should be in too. If you're doing the Santa thing, then do dreidels. Menorahs and Nativity scenes are religious.
If it gets so contentious, I'd say the town should be out of the religious holiday business and let the displays stand on private property. Religious displays (any faiths) on public property only work in a community where respect and tolerance are present. If they are not, leave religious representations to the houses of worship and private citizens and businesses.
The town-sponsored street light decorations are about shopping and creating a festive atmosphere conducive to shopping and spending money. Not exactly what either religious holiday is about. I don't think it should have any religious themes in it. Red & green and blue & white garland, as well as snowflakes and "wintery" things should be the theme. Let the private storefronts decorate as they wish.
I think this IS Sondra's hobby.
For some reason the south florida courts have allowed the Jewish Menorah under the "its not really a religious symbol" excuse. (which the faux holiday kwanza candle holder travels under)
This is DESPITE the fact this is a clear symbol of the Jewish faith.
You can't argue this legal conclusion without a laugh track but for some reason the judges allowed it.
how about we just rotait the location between the two faiths of the season.
(kwanza can stay to the left with other pretend made up socilist atheist created "celebrations")
You obviously missed the court rulings in New York. The Eid and Hannukah displays are cultural, according to the judges. Only the Christmas display is religious and thus not acceptable.
Oh Hannukah is waaaaay more important than Christmas. Why would any decent person object to the Menorah being the main item in the square?? Christmas barely beats out Kwanza for gosh sakes.
The majority should rule.
As a Jew, I say put them side by side and let everyone enjoy both.
It's not like Christians don't accept and believe the miracle of the oil, equally as much as Jews do. (Perhaps just not as educated on the issue.)
But the thing is: Jews make up approximately 4% of the population. Christians make up approximately 80% of the population.
The majority should rule.
What about areas where Muslims outnumber Christians or Jews? Are you really comfortable with "majority rules" then?
Me too.
Obviously, there are more Jews in that town...DUH!!
As a Christian, I agree. We're a Judeo-Christian country, after all.
(And as for that bogus commie invention "Kwanzaa," let's just say that it should be ignored.)
Could be because they represent countries that are almost completely one religion. When many think of something traditionally Israeli or Arab, They usually think of Judaism or Islam, when people think of something traditionally US, it's not usually religious.
While Hannukah and the menorah may be "cultural" in nature, clearly they are part of Judaica and therefore have religious meaning. And there is nothing wrong with that. I say let all faiths display what is important to them equally and don't repress any of them. I'd even set aside an area for a peaceful display of Islamic "cultural" items like the moon...and the sword...the black rock...and uh, other items of love. I feel the love.
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