I heard that a Rabbi was threatening to sue the airport if they didn't remove the christmas trees. He says they are religious symbols and they were offensive to his religion (Jewish). Anyone here agree? Is a christmas tree a religious symbol? Or is he just full of himself and wanting his 15 minutes of fame?
2006-12-11 07:45:14 · 10 answers · asked by FireBug 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Christmas is not a singular celebration. Most all the things today are adopted from other religious practices. Pagens used evergreen trees and wreaths as well as garlands to decorate and worship the changing of the seasons. Christmas adopted this and this is why some people find this practice offensive, because, of decorating the tree is related to a sort of tree worship. I originally thought the Rabbi was asking for some Jewish themed decorations as well. The Airport reportedly freaked assuming they were going to have to atune to other religions of the season as well. The Jewish community is good at placing blame on those who do not recognize their struggles and have the resources to be heard. Anybody can undo anything, it always takes one to ruin it for the rest. A valid point is made, and SEATAC has connections (I'm sure) to get the properly themed decorations without having to go to far out of the way. They are an Interantional Airport afterall aren't they? The Hoilday Christmas Santa Claus came originally for the CocaCola company in a way to promote/enforce their product. This is why no one else can use the depictions of Santa, Elves, Reindeer, sleighs, NorthPole, what have you; on their products without having to pay The CocaCola Co. money for rights and useage. Catholics say it was from Saint-Christopher who originally gave coal to the children of his village so they could stay warm through the winter months. This has also been adopted and contorted into the amazing evergrowing insatiable hunger we've given the Christmas Season in America. Earlier and earlier every year I swear it. I think it was a marketing scheme just like Valentines Day. How else to celebrate the consumer culture in America then with two Holidays that guarantees exorbent amounts of overspending and mass media manipulations. Big Corporate Pimpin' @ its Finest!!
2006-12-11 08:15:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Rabbi did not want the tree taken down, he wanted a menorah to go beside it. The rabbi and the Jewish community said they were appalled by the action the airport took. They fear a backlash of being seen as "Grinches." The Christ mass tree is a symbol of different things to different people. Some see it as nothing more than part of American consumerism, others see it as religious because the star atop symbolizes the star that the 3 magi followed to Jesus. All in all, I think this whole thing was blown out of proportion. I sympathize with the airline though. True, if it is not a private business than they cannot lawfully promote one religious view. The threat of legal action made them aware of this no doubt. If they were to simply put the menorah up, they would be enforcing 2 religious views, which might offend a third religious group causing them to sue. If they were to put both up, then a Christan or Jewish person might become offended that they are together, making a "mockery" of their beliefs and sue. It's easier to have nothing at all. I also feel for the Jewish community to, they are part of the Seattle area yet I'm sure they feel they are not being acknowledged. It's a great big mess!
2006-12-11 13:05:55 · answer #2 · answered by pinacoladasundae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I heard it, and I think it's silly (I'm Jewish, btw). I think the airport over-reacted in a big way; it seems to me it would have been awfully simple for the airport to put up a menorah, but instead they went to all the expense to take down their trees - kind of throwing the baby out with the bath-water! I personally don't really care to see a menorah in an airport (or anywhere else) where it may not be properly respected. A Christmas tree, while related to a religious holiday, is not the same sort of religious symbol that a menorah is. If Christians are ok with their symbols being shown in public, then that's what they should do, but I personally don't want a menorah or Hannukiah (the 8-branched candelabra of Hanukkah) in a public place like an airport. As it happens, I'm flying out of Sea-Tac on December 24th, and with my luck, the airport fees will jump because of this silliness!!!
2016-03-29 03:30:24 · answer #3 · answered by Patricia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Christmas tree is NOT a religious symbol, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity and what Christmas actually is, if anything its a symbol of the commercial side of Christmas which therefore means his claim has no basis.
If it was a nativity scene display then it'd be a different story although that shouldn't cause anyone offense either, I have no problem saying happy Eid or happy Hanukkah to Muslims and Jews so why should seemingly Christian traditions continue to be begrudged??
2006-12-11 07:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christmas Tree were removed today!!! This is incredible, I do not blame the jews in general but this is is an ebarrasment to everyone, there is no way some asswipe rabbi ignorant can order the entire population to take down the most representative Christmas symbol, is like pissing in the American flag or any flag, to step on top of what we beleive that rabbi is a real stupid ***, someone has to stop it, selfish prick, no wonder people talk bad about the Jews in general, the Jew community should not accept this ever!!!
2006-12-11 10:33:26 · answer #5 · answered by myentertainment.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its absolute crap when someone is threatening to sue over christmas trees being displayed.
In the words of the great Sol Rosenberg - "Sue Everybody"
2006-12-11 09:31:59 · answer #6 · answered by RustyOwls 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this moment in time, Christmas is the only religious national holiday. In my opinion, Christmas trees, the baby Jesus etc... should be the only allowed items displayed in public places.
2006-12-12 00:54:59 · answer #7 · answered by Steve B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry that Christian Christmas decorations (trees, lights, mangers) offend people.
Personally, I am not offended by Hanukkah or Kwanzaa decorations.
Some people have nothing better to do than to complain.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
2006-12-11 07:55:33 · answer #8 · answered by angie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is a sad thing, and I believe it is very wrong. They(people of the world) are trying very hard to take God out of everything. when they take him out of EVERYTHING then there will be no more goodness at all in this country or this old world.
2006-12-11 07:51:26 · answer #9 · answered by littlecwoman 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He needs to get a life.
Hey, maybe he's Scrooge reincarnated!
2006-12-11 07:49:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋