salem-va-letter Posted on 11/21/2015 8:44:49 PM PST by UMCRevMom@aol.com
In an e-mail to employees, Department of Veterans Affairs supervisors at the Salem, Virginia, center has banned employees from any religious expression in pubic areas.
"Employees are permitted to engage in private religious expression in their personal work areas that are not regularly open to the public," the message to employees reads, noting that Christmas music was banned as well. "If an employee's supervisor has previously granted them permission to listen to music in their personal work area, they should be reminded that music travels and should be secular (non-religious) and appropriate to the work environment."
salem-va-letter
At first, they tried to ban the display of Christmas Trees, but after an angry meeting between VA supervisors and about 150 employees, they backed down and said Christmas trees would be allowed. Here’s how WSLS reports it:
A letter from the Salem VA Medical Center to all employees stating Christmas trees will not be allowed in public areas this holiday season ignites a debate. But, after a heated meeting Friday afternoon — management is going todec k the halls and light the tree after all.
Christmas trees have always been a part of Christmas at the Salem VA Medical Center.
For veteran Vicki Jackson, the tree symbolizes overcoming a hard time in her life.
"It brought me over a big hump, because Christmas is hard for me, it's real hard for something that happened years ago," said Jackson. "And, to see that tree gone it's not Christmas."
It's not just Jackson; it's a message that provoked Salem VAMC employees, veterans and others in the community.
And, after a closed meeting between management and up to 150 staff members; now, a tree will stand tall this holiday season at the Salem VAMC.
"It was very tense in there with the director and amongst the employees," said Jackson. "I wasn't supposed to be there, but I went anyhow."
In a statement the Salem VAMC public affairs officer said, "it was determined that Christmas trees could be displayed in public areas so long as they were accompanied by the respective symbols of the two other faiths that celebrate holidays during this holiday season – namely symbols commemorating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
The decision comes after a letter from the Salem VAMC to employees which read, "trees have been deemed to promote the Christian religion and will not be permitted in any public areas this year."
"I don’t look at the tree as the birth of Christ, I don’t," said Jackson. "I look at is as a tree being decorated with ornaments."
Of course, as Breitbart points out, Christmas is not only an official federal holiday, but Christmas Trees grace the White House front lawn and the Capitol Lawn.
In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that Christmas Trees were not a violation of the "endorsement test."
"The Christmas tree, unlike the menorah, is not itself a religious symbol. Although Christmas trees once carried religious connotations, today they typify the secular celebration of Christmas," wrote Justice Harry Blackmun, upholding the government's displaying a 40-foot Christmas tree on public land outside a courthouse.
"Numerous Americans place Christmas trees in their homes without subscribing to Christian religious beliefs, and when the city's tree stands along in front of the City-County building, it is not considered an endorsement of Christian faith," he added.
But when was the last time the Obama Administration gave a damn what the courts said anyway?
It’s time to say “what the hell”.. The states, and every person should defy this government. He does not have the right to do what he is doing. Being pacifist about his edicts is not stopping him.. it’s emboldening him. congress is not stopping him ...
Pray where it is banned.. say Merry Christmas where it’s not allowed.. they can’t control the masses.. they control piece by piece and small place by small place. He goes deeper with every pass he gets.
It’s killing us all.. and our beloved country!
yes
the gop leadership has sold out to the IslamoNazi enemy
it is disgusting
Black Lives Matter
Americans are committing idolatry by seeking security and equality through government action. They have put the State in place of God and, consequently, have set in motion a process that will destroy the fabric of society.
An universal characteristic of human nature is to do evil. Because of this trait, it makes sense to limit government. When power is centralized in government, it multiplies evil. The sinful bent of human nature in government bureaucrats will make decisions based upon corrupt forces that will destroy a society that is so controlled and planed by the totalitarian system they have become.
Well said and as we have seen, oh so true.
If the Fascists had any idea what is meant by, “Congress shall make no laws establishing a religion”, they wouldn’t make such ignorant rules.
For them to suggest that an individual wishing another a “Merry Christmas”, suggests the government is “sponsoring or endorsing one religion over another” is simply preposterous.
What a nasty, mean-spirited little sh*t Obama truly is.
Obama's Christmas tree graced by Chairman Mao
12/22/2009
The face of China's Mao Zedong, blamed for the deaths of 50 to 80 million of his countrymen, graces an ornament on the White House Christmas tree for President Obama's first holiday season in residence.
According to BigGovernment.com, the tree also features an ornament adding Obama to Mount Rushmore. ..."
Peculiar, indeed. Now where am I supposed to hang the mistletoe?
[the gop leadership has sold out to the IslamoNazi enemy]]
Anymore, I don’t call them the GOPe, or the establishment. To me they are the CONTROLLERS. That is where the power they crave is. Control in the hands of the people relegates them to powerlessness.
Yes. They’re supposed to be our public servants, tho
Happy Roshashanah, Friend!
_________________________________________
I think the party meant Chanukkah.
Happy Chanukkah to you.
He’s trying so hard to provoke us.
He wants us to fight back.
He wants it bad.
He is daring us to.
I would not lament if......
They do not represent us.
We voted in a GOP majority.
They know we wanted them to stop this stuff and they haven’t stopped ANYTHING.
I’ll call my representatives tomorrow.
Maybe they’ll listen to me.
I’m special.
[I’ve got two words for him, and they aren’t “Merry Christmasâ€]
“Happy Holidays”?
“Feliz Navidad”?
Of course, I could be way off. :)
Remember the ban on the words God and Jesus at the VA Cemetery in Houston back in 2011?
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/29/houston-veterans-claim-censorship-prayers-ban-on-god-and-jesus/
They can’t figger out “shall not be infringed” either, so it’s no surprise. They ain’t none too bright.
I love it.
We all say Feliz Navidad which means the same thing then accuse the opposition of hating Mexicans.
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