Posted on 12/11/2006 10:13:29 PM PST by TheBigB
SEATAC, Wash. — The Christmas trees are going back up at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Port of Seattle officials had ordered the trees taken down over the weekend after a local rabbi threatened a lawsuit if a menorah wasn't also displayed at the airport.
Airport officials say they took that action out of concern that if they allowed the addition of a menorah, they would also have to display symbols of other religions and cultures, which was not something airport workers had time for during the busiest travel season of the year.
Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky says he never asked that the trees be taken down, and the threat of a lawsuit was withdrawn.
With the threat of the lawsuit gone, airport spokesman Bob Parker says all 14 trees will go back up -- hopefully by tomorrow morning.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I have posted before that when I was a kid in New England, my dad would drive the family around to look at the Christmas lights at people's homes. It was usually snowing, and it was delightful.
As a Jew, I know that this great Christian country, founded on Judeo-Christian values, has been a haven for my people. Jews have done very well in the US. I am of course glad to see the Menorah in many places too. But I know who I am and what I believe, and so I can fully enjoy the Christmas season in a secular and spiritual (as opposed to religious) manner, and believe me, I do! What's not to like...?
You don't do stupid stuff to American holidays during the holidays. If anyone is confused, tick an American off about Christmas.
SS
We shouldn't put up symbols for anybody. But if a group wants to use a public space for a few days to put up a symbol of their religion, we shouldn't dismiss it without reason.
If allowing displays leads to too many requests, then we can deal with the issue on that basis. But we aren't there now, right now we are just suffering from an intolerance to religion in general.
In this case, an airport that allowed "Holiday Trees", pretending them to be secular, but would not consider allowing people to set up any symbols of their own traditions if those symbols had religious meaning.
I can't be convinced by people who are intolerant of images of other religions, and I can't give in for those who are "offended" when they see signs of other people having religious beliefs different than theirs, no matter how wrong those beliefs are.
Why is a cross considered "offensive"? What is offensive about a manger scene, it's a family and some animals, and maybe a few rich guys in robes. Who is so insecure as to be offended by it?
Who is offended by a big candelabra? What an offensive message, the oil lasted 8 days, we have to shut our ears and humm loudly to keep the images away?
And if you could think of a positive symbol of another religion, what would be offensive about displaying that symbol in a public place?
I don't want my tax dollars funding any of these things. But so long as my tax dollars are already paying for all this "public land" where people have to go to do normal business (like airports), I would be quite pleased if ALL religions had the option from time to time of putting up small displays of their heritage.
What a surprise. Not. To be expected. Those types will crawl out of the woodwork when given a chance, whatever the topic at hand.
I don't attribute the lawsuit crazy, irresponsible actions of this particular Rabbi to all Jews, so why do you attribute foul words said anonymously on the Internet as characteristic of Christians?
btw, I've been called Osama bin Laden by some evolution nutcases right here on FR because I believe in Creation. Should I attribute those words to all scientists?
I repeat...... sabramerican's post was warped and out of line.
Woodwork, is that where they come from? I thought it was under rocks.
This country was built on Judeo-Christian values.
The Apostle Paul did NOT bring down the Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai. ;)
No, I specifically said it was indicative of a few people, but it was a real reaction.
His post didn't say that every person responded that way, his post indicated A response was that way, which it very much was.
That millions of Christians did NOT respond that way does not make it false, or "parody", or "sarcasm", to point out that some DID respond that way.
I certainly don't attribute the words I quoted from freepers to ALL the freepers, but they are real words from real people who are part of this debate, and they are driving a lot of the hatred against this rabbi.
But the way Sabramerican's post read, it was THE Christian reaction.
We'll have to disagree on this one, Charles.
(I notice that he has not weighed in on this. My guess is that he meant it the way I interpreted it, and not the way you did).
My guess
Airport's lawyer-to the administrators, Either put the Menorah up or take the trees down.
is more accurate
What about my kwanza tree thingee?
MSM gets a "Grinch Who Stole Christmas" award. Nah, give them two. They fully deserve it.
Photosensitive people can't have a nice "day". ;)
Regards, Ivan
Or has he changed his story since it got all this negative publicity?
(Why did he have a lawyer?)
"the airport could easily have put in a menorah"
True. And for the future, I'm sure this public airport will do the right thing and not exclude.
The "jerkyness" is from other religions that want "equal time" even though they don't even celebrate Christmas.
Why do you suppose that is?
I was going to not comment on my post. It said all I wanted to say and I'm only sorry that I wrote it in haste with grammatical and spelling typos.
As usual you are wrong and I am compelled to correct you.
When I wrote "Rabbi", I was not referring to all Rabbis everywhere but to the Rabbi in question. When I wrote "Christian", I was referring to those "Christians" who responded, and continue to respond, in that manner. Unfortunately, much too many jumped to condemn the Rabbi in particular and Jews in General. And even more unfortunate, the silence from those who didn't step up to attempt to end the vitriol.
Much appreciation to those few who did stand up, at least trying to understand the facts.
I'll bet the maintenance men at the airport are tired of this controversy.
Well said. One thing to add...
Next December - trees AND menorah or maybe just snowmen
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