When a Jewish rabbi complained to the Seattle International Airport about having a Christmas tree on display but no Hanukah menorah, the airport removed the tree, claiming it would reflect on the rabbi's request for next year. The rabbi has said that it was not his intention to have the tree removed; he just wanted the menorah added.
In another story, a Colorado homeowner received threats and was fined by the residential subdivision for hanging a wreath in the shape of a peace sign. Protestors claimed it carried an anti-war message and that it was devisive.
Surely political correctness is at work in both situations, but are there any valid complaints? Is there a better way to handle these situations? What are your thoughts?
Here are the links to the stories:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2715008&page=1
http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061126_2.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/28/peace.wreath.ap/index.html
2006-12-12 08:02:01 · 20 answers · asked by magistra_linguae 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
The Rabbi was just expressing his freedom of speech. I believe he had no ill will.
The more culturally diverse USA is getting the more we will see these incidences happening. Its all about asking to be reconized.If
people of certain religious/cultural background are contributing towards the growth of this country,that might as well be recognized.
First came Natives then the rest
The second incidence is really Stupid. Get educated.
2006-12-13 01:51:27 · answer #1 · answered by tammy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally even though I'm not Christian I love to see Christmas trees around town during Christmas it makes me feel like a kid again with the excitement of Christmas. In this day and age with the secularization of American culture the Christmas tree has less to do with Christianity and more to do with the spirit of the holiday ie. visiting family, giving gifts, joy-fullness etc. The Christmas tree is after all a pagan celebration of the renewal of life, but its easier to call it a Christmas tree. The Rabbi was asking for an 8 ft. tall Menorah. I along with most people would find that ridiculous. Though the Rabbi was trying to prove a point (poorly) he should realize how frightened of lawsuits corporations have become, this gives us an understanding of the power the Political Correctness movement has and I can't wait till the backlash against this absurd movement socially and politically. All things change.
2006-12-12 11:27:18 · answer #2 · answered by Scorpius 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure why you are not wanting a tree cut down. These trees are grown on farms therefore they are not hurting the enviroment in terms of going out into a forest and cutting it down. Personally I don't see the wreath the same at all as a Christmas tree. If you don't want a tree then just put your gifts in a large santa bag. The plastic trees are worse because they don't break down. If you opt this direction you could always donate it to a hospital or nursing home when you are finished with it. Or buy a really good one that will stand the test of time.
2016-05-23 15:31:44 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish this had never happened; however, I truly believe this rabbi didn't intend for the Christmas trees to be removed, but I do fault him for originally threatening to sue unless there was a menorah put up....which seems like a very unloving and almost combative way to get others to embrace diversity. However, the Yahoo answerer who made a sweeping generalization that this type of thing is happening in areas of large Jewish populations is very ignorant. I think this rabbi was mortified when the trees were removed and he regrets his approach to his complaint. I think it would be very peaceful and loving in the diverse environment of an airport to display all sorts of cultural symbolism. As for Christmas and Christmas trees, we need to stop being so politically correct in "hiding" the spiritual meaning of Christ's birth. But the rabbi's motive was not to disrespect Christianity.
2006-12-12 09:40:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say the hell with all this holiday stuff. I say merry Christmas, not happy holidays as is the 'correct' thing to say these days. I think it's ridiculous. This is a christian country, if you want to publicly celebrate anything other than Christmas you should go someplace where that's the norm.
If I was the guy that made the decision in the airport I would have said "so" and been done with it. Where does it stop? The Christians get their tree, the Jews get their candle holder, the Buddhists get their wheel, the satanists get their inverted cross, Muslims get their Allah Akbar flag... let's throw it all out on any public lawn! That way we can make every single person happy.
Ridiculous.
2006-12-12 08:26:41 · answer #5 · answered by justind_000 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I thought it was ridiculous that the airport manager had them removed. It sounds to me like he was pretty angry.
However, I thought the problem could have been solved by going to a holiday supply house and purchasing a few Menoras to display.
This is a prime example of how far we have taken "political correctness".
If I were the airport manager, I would have gone to the Rabbi's house and threatened to sue if he didn't put a Christmas tree in his house or yard.
2006-12-13 05:26:43 · answer #6 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rabbi is full of crap, he is changing his words but the truth is that he was trying to come up with a lawsuit and the airport directors which are chicken **** opted to remove the trees. This is so incredible unrespectful, there is room for symbolic signs of any religion, what does a stupid rabbi has to open his racist mouth? The Jew community should take down this guy who is a tryly embarrasment to society. I also notice that in some other parts which a big Jew population, businesses are taking down the trees, this is very unacceptable, come on people, is just Christmas!!!
2006-12-12 09:17:27 · answer #7 · answered by 123answers 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I usually support Jews but I would have to admit that this made me angry and if i knew where that guy worked I would have let him no how i felt...but I did agree with the airport's decision to remove the trees...I'd rather see no trees than see a menorah and other religious displays.
The peace wreath was obviously an anti war message...Some people are denied the right to hang a US flag or yellow ribbons on their homes and I think that the lady who hung it (who btw has said she is against the war) was only doing it for attention.
2006-12-13 07:26:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the rabbi that they should have represented other religions- the only issue is which religions to represent (I doubt there is enough room for them all). there are quite a few religions with december holidays. Maybe it can a voting thing, that way if little to no people vote for a holiday no one will complain and even if they do we live in democracy and if many people don't care about an issue we can't spend time on it.
I think the peace wreath issue is ridiculous. it was his home so I wouldn't have removed it no matter what. there is no compromise for that travesty.
2006-12-13 10:51:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the rabbi, whoever he was , was very petty. However, if he wanted, why did he not just donate a lovely "menorah" please excuse my spelling... and have done with it. The airport is right tho.. they cannot possible satisfy every religion but Christianity is the main one in that area. But as a Christian, I would have no objection to any other religion displaying what is holy to them. However,, is Hanukkah celebrated the same days as Christmas??? is that why they want their sign up. Very confusing for me.
2006-12-12 16:46:51 · answer #10 · answered by Debra H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋