I heard news a while back about the government having to change the christmas tree at rockefeller's name to a HOLIDAY TREE, because calling it a christmas tree would upset other religions.
Thats crazy. A christmas tree symbolizes only one holiday and religion- christmas and christianity. If they put a giant menorah (did i spell that right?) in rockefeller center, I wouldn'e mind at all. And do you think people would call it a "holiday menorah"??/ I dont think so! they would call it a menorah or a jewish menorah, and so would I. If you think that if they start calling it a holiday tree is a bunch of bs, say so!
2006-08-03 06:29:58 · 34 answers · asked by Rock4Life 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
the christmas tree actually represents YULE and the PAGAN religion.
Tree Decorating - There is some debate on the origin of this tradition. Druids (and some other ancient cultures) saw evergreen trees as symbols of everlasting life, because they seemed to live through the winter undaunted by the cold. So using evergreen branches as decorations symbolized the undying strength of the Sun. Decorating the trees may have come from the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia (see below for more on Saturnlia).
2006-08-03 06:34:16 · answer #1 · answered by LongAgo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The government needs to stay out of it. They're taking everything away as it is. A Christmas Tree is just that, put up a around Christmas time. If we have to change our traditions then all religions should have to do the dame so yes it should be called a holiday menorah as well.
2006-08-03 06:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by msjudy58 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does decorating trees have to do with Christianity? Answer: nothing. A menorah, on the other hand, can be a religious symbol, because it is used in a ritualistic way in a religious service (although Hannukah is not even the most religious of Jewish holidays--it celebrates a war victory. The important religious holidays for Jews are Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, and shabbat of course). A Christmas tree has no part in religious observances of Christians, although it might make a nice decoration in a Church. It may be a ritual to decorate trees, but not a particularly religious ritual.
2006-08-03 06:35:24 · answer #3 · answered by rollo_tomassi423 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well considering that non-Christians celebrate Christmas as well AND the whole lighting-of-the-tree is done at Christmas time why not just keep the name? Seriously, I've never heard anyone complain about the name.. its not like its called "Jesus tree" or anything like that. I agree with you on the "Holiday Menorah" thing. That made me laugh.
I'm not christian and not offended by calling it a Christmas tree. Heck if they change the name, they might as well change the Christmas Holiday to just "national holiday" since that's what it is (meaning non-Christians don't have to go to work on that day either... I don't see anyone complaining about getting a day off!)
2006-08-03 06:39:12 · answer #4 · answered by Taco 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The whole thing is silly. Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all over the world by every culture. The tree isn't significant to the Christ's birth holiday but in the USA, it's a natural fixture for the season.
In my youth, some Christian leaders taught that the Christmas tree was a pagan symbol and had no place in a Christian church or home. These days it seems that most Christian churchs allow the tree but it's not a symbol for the Christian faith. It's just a tree with pretty lights.
It's certainly not scriptural but I see no harm in it whatsoever. So, those who complain that it's symbolic of the Christian faith are way off-base on this one.
2006-08-03 06:41:12 · answer #5 · answered by blinkin357 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas tree is secular...
i would like to know what would offend anyone about a big fat man dressed in a red suit putting a bunch of presents under the tree???
i wouldn't be offeneded if during other religions holidays they put up thier symobol somewhere,
and i don't get offended when people tell me Happy Hanukkah, so why would someone be offended if i tell them Merry Christmas
its just the Devil trying so squeeze out anything even semi related to christianity....
2006-08-03 06:36:34 · answer #6 · answered by wisconbballgurl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a tree by any other name would smell as sweet! They can't change the symbolic meaning of a Christmas tree! I would rather they change the name, than have none at all. I am tired of taking Christ out of Christmas, though. What is the holiday for without Christ?
2006-08-03 06:36:18 · answer #7 · answered by shepherd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah except for the fact that Christmas is not originally a Christian holiday. It used to be a holiday where Roman men got drunk and had sex. Then Christians took it over with all their bs.
AND the "Christmas" Tree was originally done by the Germans.
2006-08-03 06:35:59 · answer #8 · answered by xcr0ss_my_heartx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read Jeremiah 10:3&4 does this sound like a Christmas tree to you? However they are trying to take Christ out of Christmas, reguardless of when He was born a true Christians celebrat His birth at this time.
2006-08-03 07:06:42 · answer #9 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is pointless giving stuff different names for the sake of it. It is just political correctness that is unwarranted. I am an atheist, but I enjoy looking at the nice Christmas tree. To me it symbolizes a pleasant holiday time of year where I spend time with my family and give and receive presents. I am not offended that the word Christ is a part of the word. Jesus is just another Santa to me anyway.
2006-08-03 06:35:59 · answer #10 · answered by ZCT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋