Posted on 12/11/2006 5:52:47 PM PST by Mr. Mulliner
This WAR started a long time ago.
Religious vs. Secular
Target throwing the Kettle off thier property (Salvation Army)
Removing the cross off Mt Soledad, Taking the Ten Commandments out of the Courthouse..
Taking God off money, No Christmas NO GOD...
Maybe one day God will just bow out and where would be then...
If you think that all the indignation over this scumbag, lawsuit-happy rabbi is coming only from the "religious right", you're nuts.
That's like saying "the gun wasn't loaded". The airport didn't know that.
The airport could have displayed his menorha if it weren't for the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment.
SCOTUS ruled that the menorah is not a religious symbol either. The Port spokesman did not know that (or pretended not to know that).
The airport folks could have taken time to investigate instead of shooting from the hip.
Not true...the Sea-Tac officials simply did not want to spent taxpayer money on a lawsuit.
Faced with the threat, I think they did a good job.
Should pressure come to bear on this rabbi...yes.
Last first. I won't accept your bet. Chabad supplies the Menorahs, you'd lose. They set them up by the thousand. Generally with no problem at all.
Like it or not, the airport is a public facility, and the government, which includes the courts, decides issue like religious displays. Not the 6 person council running the port authority. That could be solved with a Constitutional Amendment, but it's really not worth the time or effort. Most people aren't bothered by seeing a Christmas (sorry Sea-Tac, there's no such thing as a Holiday Tree) Tree or a Menorah or a Crescent displayed. I haven't mentioned it, but my guess there are totems displayed at Sea-Tac as well, which frequently have religious connotation.
No, they freaked at the prospect of a lawsuit. As others have noted, if SEA-TAC put up a Jewish symbol, then the Muslims would have started in. And some lawyer would have called representing some pagan group that wants to celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival. Airport management didn't want to open that can of worms even a little crack
Well, if he doesn't, I will. Because it's NOT a PR setback for the Jewish faith. You need to chill and stop trying to make more of an issue of this that is really there. Don't be so imflammatory concerning Jewish/Christian relations. What's the point of that? I don't see any Christian posters here making as much of an issue of that as you are.
Really, this is America? Thanks for the clue.
At least we know you're on the side of the Rabbi. I'm not exactly shocked.
Tell me honestly, if you went into the airport and saw Menorrah's, would you instantly demand Christmas trees? I'd think 'Charlie Hustle' got his displays up and leave it at that. I understand why you think it was the media and ractionary airport staff, but I can't quite agree with that.
Once an attorney was involved, they had little choice but to either put up Menorrah's or take down the trees. Not knowing what Muslem symbols, what Wicken symbols, what Quansa symbols and a myriad of others would be demanded as a result, I don't think they had much choice but to act as they did.
While this guy probably was surprised by the reaction, he is the guy that instigated the whole situation whether you, I or anyone else likes it.
Druids and wiccans would have been next. Followed by lunatic humanists and atheists demanding the removal of all such symbols.
But since there was the threat of a lawsuit perhaps some would like to explain what law was violated by the visible display of Christmas trees[???].
The jist of the matter.
On the side of the Rabbi?
Spell out the other side.
I believe the Idaho International Airport displayed the Ten Commandments but they also had to remove it...
This issue has been decided for over two decades. If you put up a Christmas Tree, you have to allow a Menorah. I know it bothers people, but that's the way the courts have ruled. And it's nothing new. The Sea-Tac people knew that, no one is that incompetent.
Yes, Muslims generally get access too if they ask, though there's a bit of a seasonal disconnect with Ramadan That's also how things are.
For a controversial example, I suggest using the KKK. They claim to be a "Christian" organization, claim to "celebrate" Christmas, and "claim" the cross as a symbol. They've been only marginally successful. That's were the "can of worms" takes us.
Look up the definition of "established church". One important characteristic of an established church is that it is supported by tax money. This is the level that lawyers have been using to cancel all religious symbols in the public sphere, that tax money and governmental resources may not be used in religion. SEA-TAC knew where this would go if they ever allowed it to go to court, and they didn't want to risk it
The Supreme Court has ruled that the menorah is not a religious symbol.
There are Christmas trees and Menorahs all over the place. Public places. Stores. On TV. Everywhere you look. For years.
Tell me where you've spotted Wickens?
No, they didn't.
They've ruled that under some circumstances a display which includes a menorah is allowable.
They have ruled that Christmas trees are not religious symbols.
Not true.
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