Canadian judge orders removal of Christmas tree
Thu Dec 14, 8:01 PM
OTTAWA (AFP) - A Canadian judge has ordered the removal of a Christmas tree from a Toronto courthouse lobby, saying it might offend non-Christians.
In a letter to staff on Wednesday, Justice Marion Cohen said the decorated tree made non-Christians feel "they are not part of this institution" and was an inappropriate symbol to greet visitors.
But the judge's order prompted an angry reaction on Thursday.
"There's no reason why a Christmas tree can't be put wherever people want it to be. It's by no means an offense, I believe, to any religion," an attorney told broadcaster CTV.
2006-12-15 02:14:55 · 25 answers · asked by Michelle 6 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
Okay if you want to see the whole article it is on yahoo.ca news. But I will tell you why it upsets me. They don't hesitate to celebrate other religious holidays there for other religions. We don't ask others in this multi cultural society to abandon their traditions. They celebrate Diwali and Hanukah there with no complaints. Even though 70 % percent of Canadians have identified themselves as Christians in our last census.
2006-12-15 02:27:13 · update #1
It is also not forcing tradition down anyones throat. But this is a tradition that has always been celebrated here and now things are changing because some people who come to this country are offended. Thats ridiculous. We are not telling them they have to be religious or celebrate what we do, but don't try to change our way of life and take away all the things we love about living where we do. My daughter is in school in Ontario Canada and is constantly learning about other religions at school and that is fine. My daughter already doesn't have Christmas concerts at school, heck they don't even decorate the school. Now Christmas trees are taken down in city buildings. What's next? Will there even be such a thing as Christmas for my future grandkids or great grandkids?
2006-12-15 03:00:59 · update #2
This shows just how far out of control this religious BS is getting. No it will not end there. Islam is not a tolerant religion and is the main reason behind this movement.
2006-12-15 02:21:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how its forcing tradition down anyone's throat. If there was a law that said everyone must have Christmas trees up then that would be one thing. Honestly I think this whole "offended by" thing is going way too far...does anyone know what offended means? Seriously?!?!
Just remember this kind of thing during other holidays...I better not see Halloween decorations then!
2006-12-15 10:18:24 · answer #2 · answered by Trevor 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes this does upset me. In fact it is tradition for all the family members to come back from wherever they are the day after Thanksgiving to help put up the christmas tree at our parents house.
We have never been avidly involved in any church or religion. A tree is just part of the season, believer or not.
2006-12-15 10:30:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Government offices are visited by Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, atheists, and Christians alike. It is pretty common to find that a lot of these places keep their decorations (if any) neutral. Posting signs like "holiday greetings" instead of a straightforward "Merry Christmas" which might let Jews (which you neglected to mention are a pretty big community in Ottawa) a little left out are common these days.
It is definitely not offensive, but if you see a menorah right next to the tree, and if you did, I'm sure it'd make any Christian feel at least a little awkward.
2006-12-15 10:38:21 · answer #4 · answered by guicho79 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes it does offend me. I don't understand - it is Christmas whether you believe in Jesus or not. Lots of people who aren't at all religious celebrate Christmas. I am a Christ follower, and I am not at all offended by the sight of a Menorah - in fact I have often thought the symbolism is beautiful and would like to incorporate it into our Christmas tradtion. It's Christmas - and trees are symbolic of the holiday whether you are a Christian or not. I mean, what's next - taking the flag out of the 4th of July so we don't offend non-citizens of the U.S.
2006-12-15 10:19:44 · answer #5 · answered by what's up? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this upsets me to no end. In regards to the story, they asked Muslim, and Seiks, and Jews, and nobody was offended by a Christmas tree. It's this foolish judge who thinks that people are offended. People who are going to the courthouse have bigger problems than whether or not there's a Christmas tree there. We, as Ontarians, have to write to our MPP's, and MP's and complain. It is my right to have the tree there too, because as a Christian, I don't "feel part of the institution".
2006-12-16 00:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by bon b 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This concerns me greatly, and I am not Christian. As a Buddhist in South Texas, I am in a minority. Let the religion of the majority and other religions that have many practitioners have public symbols. This does not interfere with my rights or liberties, and I do not find it offensive. In Sri Lanka, Bodhi Day is a public holiday, and the governemnt has the sale of alcohol curtailed. There is nothing wrong with that there. There is nothing wrong with Christians celebrating here, either.
2006-12-15 10:21:55 · answer #7 · answered by Philip Kiriakis 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well technically thats kind of non-sense considering the fact that the christmas tree has nothing to do with christ...its actually derived from an old pagan celebration and combined with christmas. They were both celebrated around the same time of year. Actually christ wasn't even born in december....it was actually sometime around in late september...or so biblical scholars say
2006-12-15 10:17:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
a christmas tree is the commercial symbol for christmas, not a religious one. The judge is obviously just ignorant of what the christmas tree stands for.
2006-12-15 10:17:22 · answer #9 · answered by Farah G 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow, That's insane... I mean peopel should feel free to worship whatevere they want. but seeing how most, well... some people celebrate christmas, trees should still be able to be put up...
poeple shuldn't feel offenedded just because a symbol of one religion is being displayed...
2006-12-15 10:18:04 · answer #10 · answered by sycoskater25 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋