A previous posted asked why a rabbi objected to Christmas trees in the Seattle airport. The rabbi did NOT object to the trees, he only requested that a Menorah be added to the decorations in the airport.
Why did the airport employee over-react and remove the trees? Do you suppose s/he is Christian?
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2006-12-11 09:50:57 · 19 answers · asked by Hatikvah 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They, the true christians, welcome all. There was a time, not long ago, we got along fine over the holiday season that ran neck and neck with other celebration. What or who happened to cause all this discord, and disharmony?
2006-12-11 10:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most Christians probably wouldn't object to a Menorah. Besides, it is part of every Christian's heritage. Without Judaism, there'd be no Christianity.
As far as the airport employee, they were probably told to remove the tree and not add a Menorah to the display because then only Jews and Christians would be pleased with the display. In short, a pagan, a Muslim, a Wiccan, etc. would want a representation of their own religion included in the display and, thanks to the ACLU and political correctness, everyone would have to be pleased at the same time. It's stupid, really. Why didn't they just add the Menorah and leave it at that?
2006-12-11 09:58:45 · answer #2 · answered by kenrayf 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rev. 1:12, 2:5 - there are lampstands or Menorahs in heaven. These have always been used in the Holy Mass of the Church on earth. The employee may be just ignorant. A Christmas tree is a cultural symbol, not a religious one. On the lighter side:
ENTER THE “WHY I HATE CHRISTMAS” CONTEST
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, and Don Feder, president of Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation, have launched a “Why I Hate Christmas” contest today. Donohue explains as follows:
“On December 6, a Zogby Poll disclosed that 95 percent of Americans are not offended by being greeted with a ‘Merry Christmas’ while shopping. Don Feder and I would like to know more about the 5 percent who object and have thus launched our ‘Why I Hate Christmas’ contest. Contestants must answer the following questions:
1) Explain relationship with father
2) Explain relationship with mother
3) State what religion, if any, were you raised in
4) List all phobias, e.g., fear of God
5) List all superstitions, e.g., belief in global warming
6) State which historical figure is most like you:
(a) Hitler
(b) Stalin
(c) Mao
(d) Pol Pot
(e) Rosie O’Donnell
7) State last time you hallucinated
8) State last book you read before crashing
9) State how many times you’ve laughed in the past 10 years:
(a) once
(b) more than once but not more than thrice
(c) more than thrice but not more than five times
(d) can’t recall
10) List all prior mental disorders
“Please send us a photo so we can post your picture on our website, along with your response. The winner will receive a free copy of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Finally, we will send your statement to Jackie Mason for a free psychological evaluation.”
http://www.catholicleague.org/06press_releases/quarter%204/061207_contest.htm
:)
2006-12-11 10:03:36 · answer #3 · answered by Br. Dymphna S.F.O 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, read the news. The airport authority felt others would ask for their own displays also. They felt they did not have the time to acknowledge displays with all the potential requests. The Rabbi wasn't thrilled about the trees going down either.
2006-12-11 09:52:36 · answer #4 · answered by <><><> 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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!
Source(s):
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationw...
2006-12-11 13:20:05 · answer #5 · answered by pinacoladasundae 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They totally overreacted.
And despite what was reported in the press, there was NO threat of a lawsuit. The Rabbi requested a menorah in the airport which he offered to provide and pay for.
2006-12-11 18:14:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Removing the trees was probably an attempt to be politically correct. The odds are pretty good that the employee asked his boss what to do and the boss had visions of lawsuits dancing in their head. Rather than put a little something for all the various faiths that have holidays at this time of year, they just pulled it all down to avoid controversy.
2006-12-11 09:54:58 · answer #7 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Christians would not object to a manorah. It's very sad that the airport caved in to pressure and took their Christmas trees down.
2006-12-11 10:01:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rabbi did NOT just request that a Menorah be added, he said he would sue if it wasn't.
2006-12-11 09:58:08 · answer #9 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Chances are the over reactive person is anti Semitic. Most Christians welcome the Menorah knowing that the roots of Christianity are in Judaism. We display both at our house.
2006-12-11 09:54:20 · answer #10 · answered by Tatochka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because think of it, then they have to add symbols from ALL of the celebrations happening now. It's not just Christmas and Hannukkah, there are hundreds of other cultures with something to celebrate... you think an airport has the time or money to represent them all??? So they said everybody loses.
2006-12-11 09:53:15 · answer #11 · answered by Let there be JIMBO 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋