Posted on 12/11/2006 8:14:08 AM PST by beaversmom
I'm glad to see that sometimes an expression of contrition is meaningful.
I'm saying no such thing. I'm saying that your very understandable offense could very well be used and exploited by the Pat Buchanans, the Abe Foxmans and the muzzies.
Although I was unaware that the celebration of 12/25 by erecting large trees was in accordance to instructions given in the Word of G-d.
Chr*stmas is part and parcel of the European-style liturgical chr*stianity most American fundamentalists profess to despise. I don't know why this escapes notice. As it is it is the one and only connection left between Bible Fundamentalism and traditional (non-Biblical) chr*stianity. I wish sincere Bible chr*stians would reexamine their celebration of this festival based on the Word of G-d, but unfortunately (and quite understandably), liberal Jewish attacks on chr*stmas only serve to make it seem more and more important and holy.
If there is a force in this world that could turn America's Bible chr*stians against Israel and open them up to historical Catholic/Orthodox chr*stianity, it is Jewish liberals. I hope they're proud of themselves.
What basis would the rabbi have to bring a lawsuit to force the airport to put up a Menorah? Why did the threat of a lawsuit evaporate when the trees disappeared?
Wow, you believe it's bigoted to desire a holiday display be put up in a public place... and to work towards that goal.
Are you sure you're not a closet liberal?
(After all, the Rabbi merely wanted to place a holiday display in the airport... which is bigoted - to you.)
Half my family are atheists and they put up Christmas trees....just like I do, a Catholic married to a Jew. He is appalled at this Rabbi.
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Are you trying to live up to your handle?
:-P
I agree - a manger and menorah should be proudly displayed because it's the season for them. I just think it's the job of the someone who feels not so equally represented to work towards equal representation - like this guy appeared to me to be doing.
My bigotry statement was really directed towards some of the unfortunate posts that take the "easy" way out. No Russian flags paraded on July 4th, but all Americans should be able to wave their American flag.
Yeah, I know!
but that was never the point despite some of the terrible media coverage. the Supreme Court basically (the way I read it) called for equal time.
"Do secular activists come in any other variety?"
Episcopals.
Then the Rabbi started whining for an apology for being blamed for suing the port...?! Medved oughta tell the whole story.
I wish the Port Authority had acted differently but the rabbi's actions were outrageous!
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So, it's outrageous to desire a Hanukah display? And when the Port Authority dithers about until the last minute, to actually try and do something to force the issue?
Why the hostility towards Hanukah? Got some sorta deep seated issue with it, or the people who celebrate it?
My understanding of history is that pagans throughout Europe used evergreen branches and shrubs in their celebration of nature. Like many other customs such as those surrounding Easter the pagan customs were dragged into Christian observation.
With respect, I believe the fundamentals of this issue are the problem. Most religions are truly practiced by a percentage of those in the ethnic category. Since ethnic Jews make up less than 2% of the U.S. population and religious Jews are a very small number indeed, even if only 10% of the Christians are truly religious, this still amounts to legal coercion by a very small minority over a much larger population. This disparity of scale opens the door to every other kind of minority representation in every venue of social life, which is the worry and concern, because precedents set by bowing to the demands of this small a minority will also be used apply to issues of homosexual indoctrination and to Islamization, that advocates murdering "infidels" or subjecting them to dhimmitude.
And no matter how legal such "don't offend me" decisions may be, the law can't force them to be popular or appreciated.
So what is gained by suppressing, or forcing legal equivalency with majority Christian holiday expression? Does it really make minorities feel better to know that Christian children are being sent to the principal's office for speaking about their holiday traditions at Show'n'Tell time? These are the extremist abuses that have set the Christian community on edge.
If I moved to another country, I would try to enjoy or appreciate aspects of their culture but not reliquish my own. Coming from a small minority, it would not occur to me to try to silence the host culture, no matter how much I would try to make sure my children would not be subjected to forced religious conversion. I'd have to work harder to teach our own.
In fact, I did raise my family to appreciate tolerance, in a neighborhood that practiced a different religion; we went to a church with a majority of a different race, and we used a private school with people from yet another different religion; but I taught our religion and traditions at home. People in the majority should not have to apologize for living or for practicing their First Amendment right to free expression. Airport trees are not an establishment of religion; just a nod to the vast majority culture who pay the majority of the bills and taxes.
This litigious attitude is exactly the sort of thing that undermines the general public's opinion of Jews, in my opinion. Let the rabbi direct his energies on his real enemies: the ones that want to eradicate Israel and believe their god calls them to murder Jews.
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The litigious attitude is necessary when the Port Authority dithers about and refuses to make a decision regarding the issue.
The lawsuit threat was, most likely, made at the last possible minute before simple logistical problems would prevent the Menorah being constructed in the first place.
"Are you trying to live up to your handle?"
Yes, she should have know it was about the human and animal sacrifices the proto-Germans hung on der Tannebaums to pacify the nature spirits.
Just like the Yule log is lit to symbolize Thor's defeat of the winter soltice and bringing back the light.
I mean we all know that, right?
(Calling a Christmas tree a Christian symbol is a stretch.)
No hostility toward Hanukah on my part. I would never sue to see Hanukah symbols taken down -- even if a Christmas tree was absent. My letter to the Rabbi sums up my feelings.
Here is my email to the Rabbi. His email address is: rabbi@chaiseattle.com
Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky,
Why is removing Christmas trees from public forums during the Christmas season so important to you? When I see Jewish symbols I am not offended. I am very happy to see them. It tells me that there are people of faith and kindness. My first impulse when I see Jewish symbols is not to say there must also be a Christmas tree or I am going to sue!
Personally, I find your actions to be very petty and childish. Millions of people will go through the SEATAC terminals and be denied the traditional Christmas experience because you could not see your chosen Jewish symbol. That does not strike me as a positive way to win friends and find common ground with your opponents.
Hundreds of millions of Christians in this country generously support the State of Israel and all that she stands for. Do you think your petty stand “You must take down the Christmas trees, if you do not put up Jewish symbols, or I will sue is really the appropriate action to be taken? Why cannot you be as generous and understanding of American Christians as they are of the Jewish faith and the State of Israel?
You really have disappointed me. Your actions bring great sorrow to me and many others.
Sincerely,
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