Posted on 11/27/2002 7:26:24 AM PST by marshmallow
TORONTO (Reuters) - Christmas is becoming an endangered word in parts of Canada in a rash of politically correct behavior -- such as renaming a Christmas tree a "holiday tree" -- that even non-Christians dismiss as silly.
Toronto city officials began the flap last week when they called the 50-foot (15.2 meter) tree set up outside City Hall a "holiday tree." That sparked much derision and prompted the city's mayor to set the record straight.
"Our special events staff went too far with their political correctness when they called it a holiday tree," said Mayor Mel Lastman. "They were trying to be inclusive and their hearts were in the right place, but you can't be politically correct all the time."
The mayor plans to introduce a motion in city council this week that will officially put the word Christmas in front of the word tree in all future city documents.
The name change led to complaints from Christians and left many non-Christians wondering what all the fuss was about.
"To take a generic term, slap it on a symbol that really only has significance to one religion..and then say we're being multicultural does not really fit," said Anita Bromberg of the Jewish group B'nai Brith Canada. "Whatever you call it, it's still a Christmas tree."
"You're not being inclusive when you try to apply one religious symbol to everybody. You call it what is."
Toronto has become the most multicultural city in Canada, with communities from around the world and residents who speak more than 100 different languages.
"I'm not sure what they're trying to achieve," Ahmed Shoker of the Canadian Islamic Congress in Saskatoon said on Monday. "Everyone has the full right to celebrate in their own way."
Toronto is not alone in its efforts to stress a holiday spirit rather than talking about Christmas.
The Royal Canadian Mint has a commercial in which it changes the old holiday standard "Twelve Days of Christmas" to "Twelve Days of Giving." But Mint spokesman Phil Taylor said the wording was merely meant to "position coins as a great gift for the holidays for whatever faith."
"It's the same kind of over the top political correctness," said Bernie Farber, Ontario executive director of the Canadian Jewish Congress. "There seems to be a fear within certain circles in Canada that people are going to react to Christmas in a negative way. But it's not the case.
"It's time to sort of get on with life, accept everybody for who they are and revel in their holidays as opposed to look for ways to deny people's holidays. It's just plain silly."
Red herring alert: it's not about the tree, it's about the word Christmas. I guess what comes next is the usual drivel about Christmas being a "pagan" holiday, etc.
The mission of the anti-Christian left, including the mush-headed Liber(al)tarians we often see around here, is to get "Christ" out of "Christmas" (and everywhere else).
DWG
So - that's one good thing, still - I guess. The thing that I am noticing here in southern IN this year is that there are now 2 major discount stores open on Thanksgiving (K-Mart and Meijers), as well as Walgreens whch has been doing that for some time now. Also - noticed this morning while I was driving one of my sons to a chemistry class - a sign in front of a Mcdonald's saying that it would be open on Thanksgiving Day for breakfast.
It appears that more and more retail stores are remaining open, as well as restaurants on Thanksgiving and Christmas - it's just not what it used to be anymore - sadly!!
Those days are just not... like the ones we used to know.....
Nope. But that's not the point. We Christians use the Christmas tree in our Christmas celebrations and I want to keep it as a symbol of our religion. They shouldn't have a decorated tree of any sort in their pagan holidays. By golly, we've got dibs on it and they need to go find something else. It's just too bad the Christmas tree is far superior to anything they could come up with.
Winter solice, winter holiday, holiday tree...are all PC terms that I am not shocked Canada is embracing. As I suspect their politics have taken a direct LEFT turn.
Canada signs up for the U.N. Tobin Tax
And I am sure they (if not already) signed up for the ICC and globalization.
Calling the truth 'drivel' is a liberal tactic.
So Thanksgiving is just another regular school day?
It is plain and simple PROPAGANDA!!!
BUT GOD FORBID IF CHRISTMAS IS CALLED CHRISTMAS. It is Winter Break (or some schools Winter Solstice)
I decided this year I won't be doing business in any store that doesn't acknowledge Christmas.
Sounds as though my shopping excursion is going to be frustrating.
As far as Christmas presents--- that is difficult they have all gone PC, the upscale stores were the first and Wal Mart followed.
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