Diversity isn’t aided by calling the state spruce a “holiday tree”
This performance has its origins in a public embarrassment last December, after the governor of Rhode Island decreed that the majestic blue spruce standing in the State House rotunda would be referred to as a “holiday tree”—on the grounds that calling it by its obvious name would be an affront to diversity. …
In short, Mr. Chafee has proffered the traditional gift of the enlightened class. A joyous ceremony was transformed into an occasion of acrimony and division. The decision was justified with an addled reference to religious liberty. And the American people were again reminded of the apparent inability of so many of our bluest bloods to distinguish between upholding religious pluralism and enforcing anti-religion.
Now, the Christian faith does not hang on whether the official evergreen of Rhode Island is called a Christmas tree. What does hang on it, says Eric Rassbach of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, is the long-standing American understanding of the proper relationship between government and religion. Mr. Rassbach notes the irony here: The tolerant and diverse society Mr. Chafee claims to champion is ill-served by a government that reads “no establishment of religion” as mandating official hostility toward even innocuous religious expressions of its citizenry.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
The left hates Christianity. They love Islam though.
One doesn’t want a totalitarian government and the other votes for totalitarian governments around the world.
The media is the root of our problems.
GardenGnome on December 4, 2012 at 11:03 AM
I’m sick of all this War on Christmas crap. They can call it whatever they want, it’s still a Christmas Tree. Who cares what official name they give it?
YYZ on December 4, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Our house has/always will call the tree a Christmas Tree! And I always say Merry Christmas! If people don’t like it too bad!
This is the reason we have this Holiday, to birth of Christ that those of us of faith believe.
L
letget on December 4, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Governor Chaffee should not be referred to Governor, but as “Political Official Chaffee”.
portlandon on December 4, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Holiday tree, my a$$. Intolerant cowards that they are, I’d rather they try to take it down rather than renaming it.
petefrt on December 4, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Just go all in already…………
atheist zealotree.
antipc on December 4, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Yup !
No matter what they say or do, there is no getting around this fact.
As long as the tree stands, it is a Christmas Tree.
Merry Christmas !!
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Lincoln Chafee : The New Scrooge
And a merry Christmas to you, Jabberwock!
thebrokenrattle on December 4, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Do this for a laugh sometime.
The next time somebody says “Happy holidays” to you ask them what holiday they are referring to.
The thing is that they can never utter the name of the “holiday” that the tree represents.
They will go into a contortion to not say “Christmas”as if it is a swear word.
There is only one December holiday symbolized by a tree and we all know what it is.
NeoKong on December 4, 2012 at 11:28 AM
It is always fun to remind those in the PC crowd that the “holiday” in question is CHRISTMAS.
Otherwise there is no holiday.
A slight apology to those of the Jewish faith on that statement, but a wholehearted welcome to that faith’s contribution to make the season more beautiful. And inclusive.
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Last Place? Come on, the ‘Slums are the reason that you fear and wish to appease in hopes they will not hurt you any more. They are the only diversity to coddle and cater to. Hindus, Bhuddists….they won’t blow you up.
BL@KBIRD on December 4, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Who cares!!! Cripes, of all the things in the world to kvetch about.
lostmotherland on December 4, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Nor by this.
Schadenfreude on December 4, 2012 at 11:50 AM
I care. A LOT.
If you care, it reminds you who and what you are.
With “all the things in the world” you need to hang your hat somewhere.
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Chafee is such an eunuch of a man…for shame he gets elected and re-elected…the state must be full of eunuchs, yack. Just looking at him is digusting.
Schadenfreude on December 4, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Ugh. I hate all the pretend nonsense. Everyone knows it’s a Christmas tree. Jewish people do not decorate trees in December. Neither do Muslims. And, as far as I know, Kwanzaa does not involve a tree, though since it’s a made up holiday anyway, who knows.
Anyway, my point is this… take it down if you want to. But don’t leave it up and then pretend it’s something it isn’t, like by saying “holiday tree” everyone is suddenly fooled into thinking it’s not a symbol of a Christian holiday. Let’s grow up and be honest.
Shump on December 4, 2012 at 12:21 PM
And when Jews put up and Minorah what are they/we supposed to call it? And, just try to put up a public display of a Minorah or a “Holiday Tree” in some Islamic nation.
SC.Charlie on December 4, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Speak for yourself. I am Christian, but live in a very diverse area. My town is roughly 1/3 Jewish, 1/3 Christian, and the remainder a mix of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and just about every other religion you can imagine. When I say Happy Holidays, I am referring to the season, including Hanukkah, Christmas and for other religions, New Years Day. Why deliberately exclude my friends and neighbors when inclusion is possible?
cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Do you know who is Jewish, who is Hindu, etc.? If you do, specifying their holiday is more heartfelt and I’m sure it would be just as heartfelt hearing the words Merry Christmas from a Jew or a Hindu. And “Christmas” is a catch-all secular season in America from Thanksgiving to Christmas day that everyone is welcome to.
thebrokenrattle on December 4, 2012 at 12:50 PM
There is only one recognized federal holiday in December and it’s called Christmas.
It is not a reason for shame.
Just say it.
If it offends somebody then then let them deal with it in their own way but we do not need to indulge their discomfort.
NeoKong on December 4, 2012 at 1:00 PM
If you force out the words Happy Holidays to people exiting a church for Midnight Mass, you’re doing it wrong.
thebrokenrattle on December 4, 2012 at 1:17 PM
Christmas means Christ’ Mass, the Mass (worship service) celebrating the arrival of the Christ
The reason for presents is giving, not receiving, as the true gift of Christmas was Christ, who gave his message and his life to redeem mankind from their sins, should they accept the bargain
Holiday means Holy-Day, because the birth of the Redeemer is a Holy event
What the Governor needs is an unholiday (unholy day). If they want a tree to symbolize that day, how about using a cross of wood instead, symbolizing the first attempt to remove the Christ from the public square
entagor on December 4, 2012 at 1:19 PM
Sometimes I know or can tell. If am man is wearing a yarmulke or sidelocks, or a white woman is wearing modest dress and a head covering, I can tell he/she is Jewish. A woman with a bindi or sari is Hindu, etc. But other times I can’t tell, so why risk unnecessary offense when I can wish generalized happiness instead?
cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Fair point and I applaud your sensitivity. But,
To include your friends, you have excluded the fundamental reason for what you are including your friends in.
Should we not call it Memorial Day, in respect for the Germans, Italian and Japanese that have since moved here ?
My point is that there is a darn good and historic reason the western culture takes a moment to celebrate at this time of year.
I get upset when people try to remove the reason.
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 1:21 PM
What risk. You have been taught, incorrectly, that it is offensive to wish someone Merry Christmas.
Personally, I would be, and have been, flattered when someone of another religion or faith “includes” me when wishing me well on one of their special days. nIt is NOT offensive.
Your neutral positioning is an insult to your friends.
Let them wish you happiness. THAT WOULD BE INCLUSION.
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 1:26 PM
I understand your point and I’m certainly not offended if a friend who knows I’m a Christian wishes me a happy Hanukkah, for example, because in that situation I would know it’s meant inclusively. However, with strangers, I see it as a bit presumptuous, as if I’m proclaiming them to be a member of my “team” whether or not they would want to be.
cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 1:39 PM
“Christmas” be buggered. “Tree” is vegetable racism and the thing ought to be called the ‘holiday veg.’
PersonFromPorlock on December 4, 2012 at 1:41 PM
This thread is about to go off the list so it is late for my comment.
It is too bad you feel this way.
I am a positive thinking type. As such, I believe that sharing our joys and happiness is important.
If not shared, it will be lost.
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Agreed. Hence my “Happy Holidays.” We’re just sharing our joys in a different way!
cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Thank You.
And as you mentioned that you are Christian,
A Very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
PS Pray for snow. Just adds to the joy.
Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 2:21 PM