Maybe it should be accepted as the evolved holiday that it is. Spin it any way you like it but despite the historically pagan elements, it is now a Christian holiday.

Besides, I don't recall any Christians telling others that they can't have their Yule logs or Solstice celebrations just because it's Christmas. People are just being contentious about the issue because Christians will not put up much of a fight when it comes to protecting their traditions.

I bet you 20 to 1 odds that if I put up a wreath for Michaelmas on the library door, no one would say a word about it. But if I put up a wreath at Christmas, there would be no end to the caterwauling.

My point is that one person's lack of acknowledgment of a religious observance is in no way a justification for making those that do acknowledge it hide their acknowlegment. It's unconstitutional.

Bad argument...

Saying Christians didn't invent something but use it for their own purpose is true, but...

It actual PROVES the theory that religious symbols are ALSO symbols of tradition that have been handed down for generation to generation, society to society...

That tradition is being stifled for the sake of the minority in that society...

If you don't believe me, just look at our language...

People say religious terms all day without purposely trying to push religion...

Are they gonna ban Eric Clapton on the radio because he sang "Tears In Heaven"?...How about The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows"?...

Religious references and symbols ARE PART OF HISTORY...Taking them away is taking away that history...

Which is exactly what secular people are trying to do...They want these symbols locked up as if they were a sad part of history like the Holocaust Museum or the National Slavery Museum...:

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Nobody is trying to take them away.
I love CHristmas - have no problem with people celebrating CHristmas - enjoy decorating for Christmas - enjoy Christmas parties - love getting and giving Christmas presents ... in my home!!!

It has nothing to do with what is being paid for by tax dollars.

Besides - singing "Tears in Heaven" is IN NO WAY analgous to "Jesus is the reason for the season"

What end does it serve to tell a woman she can't display her tree with an angel on her front door?

And whether non-Christians like it or not, Christmas is celebrated now because "Jesus is the reason for the season". If you are celebrating the season for any other reason, then you AREN'T celebrating Christmas. You are celebrating the winter season or some other holiday such as Hannuka and that's fine. You are entitled to do so without intrusion or unnecessary restraints placed on your celebration.

You're denying the TRADITIONAL ASPECTS of religious symbols...And you're denying others in the community to celebrate them together...

Both are religious in context...Whether or not one is more direct is irrelevant...

CROSSES aren't religious either...They are a product of Roman society...

But heaven forbid someone wears one while they're teaching in a public school...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

I display a wooden crucifix in my office over the door...its just a tradition in my family that there is one over the door to our house and I keep one here in my office because I spend so much time in it. I was asked to take it down and I refused. I will not have my expressions illegally dictated to me in an inconstitutional manner. Especially when the office next to me practically has a Buddhist altar. We will see how it plays out this year when I place a nativity scene on the shelf.

Was the person in the office next to yours asked to remove the Buddhist altar?

No. Buddhism is looked at more as a "style" rather than a religion. In any event, last saturday I nailed the crucifix to the wall. No one will be removing it in my absence.

Good for you. I have my Spiritual materials at my desk, like "Face to Face With God (Bill Johnson), Guideposts, New Man Magazine, and my Bible. I read them on my break.

Actually, these days it has evolved into a secular holiday with some religious aspects.

I don't think so. Personally I have no problem with Christmas displays, but let's look at the bigger picture here... Christian tradtition has been the dominant tradition so few challenged it. When it WAS challenged in the past, the wishes of the people that were offended were ignored.

These same people also would not have been likely to get their displays in the town square either.

It only looks like Christians are being picked on because things are beginning to equalize among all beliefs. I think that it is better to keep the religious displays on private property since public property cannot possible accomodate all religions. It's the only fair solution.


Agreed, but that would probably be because they aren't familiar with Michaelmas. They would see it as odd that they wreath is there and not connect it to a religious display. If it is then connected to a religious display, there will possibly be complaints.

Clearly they are not requiring hiding if the conference rooms are allowed to host Bible studies. (See the PDF posted earlier)

The government has adopted the position that religious displays on public grounds is showing a religious preference. I thinbk this 'xmas tree in the hallway' is going a bit far, but I DO understand the principle behind it.