Posted on 12/11/2006 7:21:34 AM PST by NavyCanDo
The departure of Christmas tree displays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — the Port of Seattle's response to a local rabbi's insistence that an electric menorah also be put up — is accelerating into an international spectacle in the so-called "war on Christmas."
And that is not what Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky wanted.
"I am devastated, shocked and appalled at the decision that the Port of Seattle came to," he said Sunday. As news coverage about the airport's trees spread from CNN to ABC to the Paris-based International Herald Tribune, Bogomilsky on Sunday began to receive hateful messages from people holding him responsible for the removal of the trees.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Very Beautiful!
Very nice!
As I understand the lawyer acted independently (perhaps the rabbi taking my position of "let the professionals do it") and came up with this threat.
Rabbi, as far as I can tell, should've checked what his lawyer was doing.
But apparently he didn't really intend such a thing.
It was more a "mistake", as opposed to an "on purpose".
I'm willing to go easy on the guy. And slaps to the airport for just caving.
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. John 10:22-23 (KJV )
Because most of us have grown up with associating Christmas with a Tree, as children we knew a Christmas tree meant that soon we would have presents to open up very soon! we have lost sight with with the true meaning of Christmas. As my favorite holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life, conveys a message to George Bailey from the Angel, *No Man is a Failure who has Friends* Love Kindness and doing for other's would be Jesus's message IMO on why we should celebrate his birth.
Exactly right. The ACLU and now this rabbi have a history of intimidating cities and school districts with lawsuits and causing deep financial losses.
The rabbi is not a passive player in this mess.
That's a new one on me.
Well it's pretty hard to have celebrations without symbols. Maybe we should be happy about this story then?
>>The rabbi I believe wanted something put up *A Menorah* that was religious and should be honored by all Christians and Jews.<<
Why should Christians honor a Menorah?
I am just saying a Christmas Tree does not represent the faith of Christianity, HOWEVER a Menorah does represent a religious symbol in Judiasm. I am sure if they put up a Menorah that would open up more people possibly wanting to put up a Nativity Scene another religious display.
Do Christmas lights hanging up in Department Stores or on City lights represent anything religious? The Rabbi was wrong if he thought the Christmas tree represented the birth of Jesus.
(soap-box)
"It's a Wonderful Life" is NOT a "Christmas movie"!!!!
(off soap-box now...) ;-)
Why should Christians honor a Menorah?
It is not required, but it is a holiday that Jesus honored.
Same poop different day. The airport was very, very wise to fold its trees in view of the lawsuit threats. Years ago the exact same thing happened and Cincinnati was made an international pariah by the media. There was the tradional decorated tree on the city's primay public square and a lawsuit was filed forcing the placement of a Menorah. Seeing how things worked, a KKK organization filed suit to place a Cross on the square. Thus the AP headlines ran "KKK cross on Cincinnati's Fountain Square!"
And I know Medved will be a part of it. Hopefully some good can come of it.
This rabbi will only "have a history" if he does it again. I think he has learned his lesson. Next time he will not seek legal advice from somebody who once stayed at a Holiday Inn.
This reminds me of that jewish couple in Kensington, MD, who got Santa banned from the annual Christmas parade, but then the town was FReeped and they let Santa join the parade. The couple were the only ones who complained about the Christmas parade and the town's politicians were ready to cave because of them.
[...The more Santa (Saint Nicholas)and Christmas trees (Victory over Pagan beliefs by St Boniface and Luthers tradition of honoring Jesus's birthday)are banned the more these symbols can be reclaimed by Christians and the harder it is to secularize the celebration of Christs birth...]
INTERPRETATION: The less Xmas, the more CHRISTmas.
Typical liberal mentality. Entitlement syndrome up the wazoo. I'm sure he votes democrat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.