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Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky says he never asked that the trees be taken down, and the threat of a lawsuit was withdrawn.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 ...
What's a Jew candleholder, I've never heard that before.
Good question. I think it's because even the minority, not on FR but minority in general, of "hair on fire Holiday Tree Christians" actually think there's a connection between Christmas and Christmas Trees. Don't want to admit it, perhaps, but they know the connection is there.
It's all nonsense to me, as long as there is no coercion public bodies are free to be as religious as they want.
Making passengers light the menorah, or kiss the creche, or do a December Bow to Mecca- now that would be going too far...
10-4, it's us gentiles that are grafted, maybe I wasn't clear on that...
Well, I think we all need to be honest here.
So first I will say I was raised a christian in a pretty traditional family with trees and all. But we didn't go to church, and I cannot say really we were any particular denomination.
Christmas, as a holiday, is most certainly religious in nature.
My PERSONAL feeling about the incident is that it wouldn't bother me one single iota if there was a menorah there. And I haven't seen a single post on any of these threads from somebody I guess was a Christian who condemns the idea of there being a menorah there or who condemns Judaism in general.
The press release from the port of Seattle said that they had received thousands of responses, from ALL DENOMINATIONS, and 99 percent wanted the trees back.
What people objected to, and what the Port responded to, were the TACTICS that were used.
Now I hope and believe that there will be a resolution. I have little faith left, but I have enough that it seems reasonable.
But I am upset that in a time that is supposed to be emphasizing peace and good will and foregiveness and hope for the future, that there is so much vitriol coming out, ON BOTH SIDES. For cryin out loud, post #309 on this thread all but accuses anybody of having a tree of being an Al Queda supporter.
Americans (I mean WASP types) have, in the past, been accused of being intolerant. And Americans have actually BEEN intolerant in the past.
But we are now a very open society. America now is just about the most diverse country in the world. And I hate to foresee a time when the WASP types get so fed up with being accused of being intolerant that they actually DO become intolerant. It could get ugly.
None of us want to see that.
We need to focus on our goals and shared visions about what a healthy society is. A society where people can contribute to the best of their ability and have opportunities to learn new abilities. A society where families have an emphasis and no one is denied their cultural heritage, as long as that heritage is not one of hate and discrimination.
A society where a hundred years from now, our children and grandchildren can read books about what we did and be proud and inspired instead of ashamed.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah,
djf
I love this forum, while we occasionally get in some heated discussions, there's plenty of good humor. I searched for your insurance, couldn't find a company that was interested...
No secrets
All out in the open
Thanks for that link. I quickly scanned over it at first then I went back to read it in earnest. Good to get some details on that suit--and some good folks.
I believe so
This is news to me. The White Anglo-Saxon Protestants who founded our country - intolerant? The White Anglo-Saxon Protestants who fought two world wars - intolerant?
thanks Brushcop- always appreciated.
OK, so they can enjoy their hotdogs in peace, lol.
I don't know about other Christians but I was not happy the Christmas trees were removed because I know they have no religious significance. They are only a happy holiday item. The rabbi seemed upset because he thought the Christmas tree signified a Christian symbol and therefore his Jewish symbol should be accommodated too. The whole thing is stupid. I don't know where the idea that the Christmas tree symbolized a Christian belief came from. It is not true and schools are getting by with using the Christmas tree to justify putting up other religion's artifacts because the Christmas tree is being used as a bogus Christian symbol.
Re your post # 88
Toda Rabah
"I love being politically incorrect.
All of you that wish to be politically correct can kiss my a$$."
And after they finish with yours, bring that mistletoe over here and they can start kissing mine. I'm so sick of whiney, offended, troublemakers and their "It's all about ME!" attitude. If Christians celebrating Christmas offends you so, go in the house, pull the blinds for the month of December, and STFU. That goes for Jews, guilt-ridden Chri-nos, muslimes and anybody else who doesn't like it.
Incidentally, why hasn't there been any outcry over our National Christmas Tree in D.C.? Maybe because the White House wouldn't knuckle under like those limp-wristed Nancys at Sea-Tac?
Total drivel.
The rabbi deserves all the ill will he is getting and then some more. He earned it!
Bump
It's over. Move on. Nothing more to see.
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