Posted on 12/11/2006 5:52:47 PM PST by Mr. Mulliner
Well here we go again. It is so utterly predictable. Like clockwork. Its December and time for another skirmish in the annual battle against Christmas. What compels me to comment is that this time it's not the usual secular fanatic who's responsible for doing things that evict Christianity from the culture. No, on this sad and alarming occasion it's a deeply religious, well-intentioned rabbi who has unwittingly stumbled into a situation that will place his denomination (and mine) Orthodox Judaism in a terrible, negative light.
For at least ten years, Sea-Tac Airport near Seattle has displayed several large, beautifully decorated Christmas trees each December. With lawyer in tow, a local rabbi recently threatened to sue the Port of Seattle if the airport didn't add a Chanukah menorah to the holiday display.
Yielding to the ultimatum was not an option for airport management, skittish at the best of times since 9-11. Understandably, they interpreted the rabbis threat as only the first. It would not be hard to imagine Seattles Islamic community stepping forward with their own lawyer to demand a Moslem symbol be included as well.
With deft turn of phrase, Sea-Tac public affairs manager Terri-Ann Betancourt explained that at the busiest travel time of the year, while Sea-Tac was focused on getting passengers through the airport, she and her staff didnt have time to play cultural anthropologists.
Threatening a lawsuit, I feel, violates the Jewish principle known in Hebrew as Kiddush HaShem, interpreted in the Talmud, part of ancient Jewish wisdom, as an action that encourages people to admire Jews. One need only read the comments on the Internet following the news accounts of the tree removal, to know that most people are feeling indignant and hurt. They certainly are not feeling more warmly toward Jews as a result of this mess.
Here I disclose that I know the rabbi involved, am friendly with him, and am sure that he didnt intend this outcome. I like him, which makes it painful for me to point out that when one throws a punch (which is what bringing a lawyer and threatening to sue is equivalent to) and one gets decked in return, one cannot plead that one didnt intend that outcome.
The outcome, whether intended or not, is that now vast numbers of passengers, most of whom are probably Christian, will be deprived of the cheerful holiday sight of pretty Christmas trees. What is more, they will know that their deprivation was caused by a Jewish rabbi. The rabbis lawyer told a television reporter, There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch.
No, Mr. Lawyer, it is not that Jews will be portrayed as the grinch. Sadly, now we are the grinch. You made us the grinch.
Now what is to be done? I have three requests:
I am asking every reader of this column to sign a petition on the Toward Tradition website beseeching Sea-Tac management to restore the Christmas trees.
I am asking every reader of this column to forward it to others who might be willing to sign this petition.
I am asking Jews in the Puget Sound region to join national radio host, Michael Medved, and me in offering our volunteer labor to Sea-Tac. We hope they will allow us to provide the labor necessary for replacing the trees so that airport staff need not be deflected from their important duties.
"notorious liberal jewish lawyers...."
can someone explain to me how a jewish person can be an atheist and at the same time a jew? (is it that they like to hide behind judaism when someone disagrees with them?)
We're in closer agreement than I orginally thought. I still don't think the Rabbi should have requested it because Christmas trees aren't a religious symbol, and in fact many Christians I consider on the fringe won't have one at all because they consider them pagan.
I hope you won't deny that this was a public relations setback for the Jewish faith, whether it was accurately reported or not. Because it was. Rabbis shouldn't go around threatening harmless American tradition with lawyers. They should hire Alan Dershowitz, because nobody expects him to take a reasonable position.
They're still in the minority, thank G-d.
Obviously, nor did I make that claim. Again, criticizing this rabbi's actions is entirely understandable, but blaming "Jews" for those actions is moronic beyond belief.
Considering how most of the posts regarding this topic have done wonders in bringing out nothing but condemnation against a Rabbi who simply wanted to be allowed to display a Hannukah menorah...
...it's a very common, very safe, attitude for Jews to take.
My folks taught me the same way. (but it doesn't always stick)
I'll remember that the next time I see one put up in July.
The Hanukkah Menorah- compared to the all together different Temple Menorah- is also not a religious symbol. It's a utensil.
Because God commands us to Bless Israel and will curse those who persecute the Jews. Christians believe that Jesus return will be in Jerusalem and God will never let anyone destroy Israel again.
Jews are not sinless we all as human beings have sinned agaisnt God, but they are the Chosen people of God and a light to all nations by bringing a risen Messiah to the gentile world.
Jews are not to blame for this, just your sleazy condo association.
Is that how it's supposed to work?
For pete's sake, don't try to play the victim card at this forum.
Where did I condemn Christians?
Where did I condemn Christianity?
If you have a problem with my posts, either complain to management about my constant anti-Christian posts,
or,
this is a unique idea
back your libel up with facts.
SJackson is anti-Christian. Egads! We've been chumming around for years! I never knew!
What a great story...and while we are at it, we should also have a petition asking for a Menorah. Christians and Jews should unite on this topic of public displays and not be at odds with one another.
I caught your post earlier today saying you had already apologized 9 times. You owe no one an apology. I figure you (as Defender of all the Jews in the World!!!) will stop getting flack around the same time that I get to stop explaining that everytime a cardinal or bishop opens his fool mouth, he isn't necessarily speaking for the Pope. ;)
It's nice that idiots don't think public authorities are routinely successfully sued in America for displaying religious symbols.
Too bad it's not true.
The threat of litigation over this reflects a misunderstanding of the Constitution and of airports.
Damage? What freaking damage? Some decorations were removed. They can be put back up. It's just a bunch of decorations!
How many people were terrified by rabbis praying in the terminal and grabbing all the exit seats?
Who missed their flights and how many planes were delayed due to the heightened terror threat?
Whose throats were slit and whose heads were cut off?
You. Need. To. Get. A. Grip.
Maybe you need to ping her to your animal threads...:)
This little display has been about the last straw for me. This Rabbi is being used as a tool for the ACLU. First get the trees out of the airports, then get them out of department stores, shopping malls, cities and finally out of your own front yard. And by the way, don't offend anyone by opening your curtains to display that tree to the street. That is the goal of the ACLU and the Rabbi has just pushed the ball a little further. Sorry, his apologies ring hollow to me.
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