Missouri State removes Christmas tree over religious complaint

[Sofiyya 1,687]

That may be true in theory, but the government does not give equal time to acknowleding other religions, and in fact, the court engaged in fantasy to proclaim Christmas a "secular holiday". I have no pity whatsoever for whiny Christians complaining about how CHRIST MASS trees have nothing to do with Christianity, so why would anyone be offended by them being displayed on government property. If they aren't about Christianity, then display them in the summer. In fact, pretty much anyone who still has one up then is thought to have a problem. It's no one else's fault that Christians have allowed their faith to be bastardized so that even they can't tell what is part of the "holiday season" and what is not.

You've got a big chip on your shoulder, don't you?

Nope.

It's just most of your posts you come as really angry.

And in most of yours, you come across really liberal.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That may be true in theory, but the government does not give equal time to acknowleding other religions, and in fact, the court engaged in fantasy to proclaim Christmas a "secular holiday". I have no pity whatsoever for whiny Christians complaining about how CHRIST MASS trees have nothing to do with Christianity, so why would anyone be offended by them being displayed on government property. If they aren't about Christianity, then display them in the summer. In fact, pretty much anyone who still has one up then is thought to have a problem. It's no one else's fault that Christians have allowed their faith to be bastardized so that even they can't tell what is part of the "holiday season" and what is not.

You've got a big chip on your shoulder, don't you?

Nope.

It's just most of your posts you come as really angry.

And in most of yours, you come across really liberal.

That's as true as it's plain as day.

[PlatyPius 5]

You know god dalm well that when they put that on the dollar they were not thinking about the Muslin God. The official moto of the USA is' "In God we trust" and again this nothing to do with Islam.

It's the same God, by the way. It's also the same as the Jewish God!

Try this again, Allah is definately not the same God that Christains and Jews worship. If you study a bit of history you will find that Allah is a moon god worshiped in Mecca.

Yeah.....okay...... (Allah = Yahweh = "God")

Even more interesting is the fact that the Xian/Jewish/Muslim god was originally just *a* god, not *THE* god. He was only a god for the Israelites. Now we're to believe that he is THE god and that all others are false. Whatever. Ego much?

[cmartyn 0]

As an aside here, and back on topic, the Jews should be the last one to complain about christian decorations. Their decorations are #######. They drag those menorahs out and every year it takes them a month just to get the lights working.

[Peikko 1,575]

Whatever christmas trees are, they are not a symbol of christianity. As far as I can see they are a frippery, a romantic adornment. If we can't have these cheery displays without having some kind of religious slanging match, well religion and religious people drop down even lower in my estimation.

Bring on the lights, the more the merrier.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Why call them CHRISTMAS trees if they have no association with the Christmas holiday (holy day)? Few are stupid enough to believe that Christmas decorations have nothing to do with Christmas and that Christmas has nothing to do with Christ.

[Peikko 1,575]

Decorations are just that, decorative. Christmas trees play no part whatsoever in christian festivities and certainly don't symbolise anything in the christmas story. If one chooses to be offended by a christmas tree that in my opinion is true stupidity.

I am not especially offended by any decorative displays, from whatever quarter they spring from unless they are truly ugly.

[Moe_lisa 0]

They might b#$^% about the tree; but I bet they aren't complaining about the paid days off they get for the holiday!

You are so very right there! I live in the capital city of MO and I know exactly what they think! Don't even get me started! ha ha!!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Why call them CHRISTMAS trees if they have no association with the Christmas holiday (holy day)? Few are stupid enough to believe that Christmas decorations have nothing to do with Christmas and that Christmas has nothing to do with Christ.

Following that line of thinking, perhaps we should start calling the Easter Bunny the Chocolate-Bearing Non-Resurrection Rodent to avoid confusion. After all, people clearly associate the critter with the empty tomb. It causes a fuss every year in my neighborhood.

[Heracles 417]

SPRINGFIELD | Missouri State University took down a 20-foot Christmas tree after a diversity official reported a complaint about insensitivity to other religions.

Some extremely bitter stupid losers are adamant to ###### it up for everyone else rather than celebrating other people's diverse beliefs and traditions. Clearly they need to get their head out of their ### and travel more.

It also does not take a genius or even a citizen of the nation to realize that separation of church and state was referring to no government intervention by a signal religious group. As was the case in England, the mother country, where the Church of England called the shots and made unfavorable decisions towards other denominations.

Edited November 30, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[Fandango 1,440]

Seems peeps missed this:

Stone said Jewish faculty members were invited to put up a menorah display but declined, telling Stone they were worried the display would be stolen.

Edited November 30, 2007 by LisaD

[Heracles 417]

Back to the OT. The constitution does not prohibit religious symbols on government property, only the mandating of a particular religion. Since the people own the government (in theory) then what goes on should reflect the people. A large percentage of Americans identify themselves as Christian. So Christian symbols should be allowed. To be fair I wouldn't have a problem with other religions getting equal time. On Jewish, Muslim or any other religious holiday a display celebrating that occasion would be cool with me. The way it stands now we have a vocal minority dictating what the majority can or cannot do. That isn't right.

Well said. There are lots of places with examples of this. Why would anyone be against the government celebrating with its people. Let alone putting up religious and peaceful symbols. For example, the government in AUS contributes up to half the cost of any community projects. Be it religious or not. That is what living in a diverse multicultural community is all about.

"The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion by Congress or the preference of one religion over another, or religion over non-religion."

Clearly that works both ways. If a government's actions give preference to atheist groups then this is a breach. Common sense suggests that the government should simply not favor one religion or belief over another. Therefore treat each belief equally. The biggest fallacy is that it strictly refers to the government having no interaction with religious groups whatsoever.

Maybe there should be national vote to settle this once and for all.

[Cassie 8]

Why call them CHRISTMAS trees if they have no association with the Christmas holiday (holy day)? Few are stupid enough to believe that Christmas decorations have nothing to do with Christmas and that Christmas has nothing to do with Christ.

A lot of what is now considered Christmas traditions have slowly been incorporated into the holiday celebrations over many many years. Just because they are part of Christmas, doesn't mean they automatically have a religious connotation. Santa Claus anyone?

I am a Christian, and there are only two things that I ascribe any "religious" symbolism to that are part of the Christmas celebration. One is the Advent Wreath, and the other is the Nativity. Oh, and Christmas carols, but that's a bit of a different story really. Everything else -- the lights, the gifts, the tree, and so on and so on -- are part of the traditions and decorations of the holiday for me, nothing more. For me, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ first and foremost, and a special family holiday as well. So count me amongst the stupid few who sees most of what goes on during Christmas as nothing really to do with what I feel the meaning of Christmas is.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

As an aside here, and back on topic, the Jews should be the last one to complain about christian decorations. Their decorations are #######. They drag those menorahs out and every year it takes them a month just to get the lights working.

[mawilson 2,133]

Why call them CHRISTMAS trees if they have no association with the Christmas holiday (holy day)? Few are stupid enough to believe that Christmas decorations have nothing to do with Christmas and that Christmas has nothing to do with Christ.

####### is Christ?

Christmas is a shopping holiday.