what do you opine in this semantic debate?

Question

In my city, at the state capitol building, we have had a little riff here, that people were calling the 2 story tall tree a "Christmas tree" and the freedom from religion foundation came in and said, oh no no, you cant call it that, you make it seem like it is endorsing some particular religion. You shall call it, a holiday tree. "

I pondered this, and I came to thinking that if the Christmas tree is indeed secular in origin and practice, and more wide spread than just among Christians, oughtn't it to be a Holiday tree and not a Chrismtas tree? but of course in our own private minds, we might call it however we please, and save the p. c. title for the state capitol buildling.
I'm curious to hear other people's thinking on this? thanks

Answer 1

The connotation of the term Christmas tree is that it is used to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Like so many things about the holiday, the tree has become more of a secular image than its intent of celebrating Christmas. As such, placing it in a public area requires the use of the secular term, holiday tree. Which, as a Christian, is fine with me since it is intended as a secular image, not to celebrate the birth of Christ. It might be interesting to note the origin of the word holiday is "holy day"

Answer 2

The Christmas tree has absolutely, unequivocally nothing to do with Christianity. Christmas itself began as a pagan holiday, which was then co-opted by Christians in order to make conversion more palatable to the Heathens. And now we're arguing over whether it's an endorsement of Christianity to have our government call it a Christmas tree. LMAO!!

Let's just call it what it is, a secular tradition derived from numerous religious traditions. Christmas tree works as a name because Christmas is the name of the Federal Holiday we've come to recognize and celebrate as a nation of mixed religious heritage.

Answer 3

Of course people in their private lives can call it whatever they want, no one is stopping them from doing that. It is only people acting (officially or unofficially) as representatives of gov't that are not allowed to endorse a particular religion.

Although nearly all xtian holidays have their origins in older, pagan celebrations, xtians often display a territoriality for their holidays that is, well, unbecoming of a xtian, and reflects badly on their religion. It seems like many of xmas' most fervent defenders are steadfast in their refusal to admit that America is and always has been a multi-religious country. They like to pretend that this is a xtian nation because xtianity is the dominant religion here. (Would these same people call this a white nation because most people are white? Maybe some of them would....)

When you wish someone "happy holidays" you are wishing them joy and goodwill despite who they may be or what religion (if any) they belong to. When you wish someone "merry xmas" without knowing if they're a xtian, you are wishing them joy and goodwill...but only if they're xtian. If they're not--and about 40-50 million Americans aren't--then you're basically just browbeating them with your religion. Xtian or not, every person's religion (or lack of) is a deeply personal matter, and whatever pride one feels in holding their religion should never be used as a club against others.

Answer 4

It's not a holiday tree. It's a Christmas tree.
It didn't come from the history of The Holidays.
It came from the history of Christmas.

The freedom from religion foundation is making a dumb move, for two reasons:
1) People will still think of it as a Christmas tree, regardless of what it's labeled.
2) According to Freedom From Religion's doctrines, they should push to get rid of the tree.

The reason they are in this odd situation is because they know they are not powerful enough to get rid of the tree entirely. Because that would upset a lot of people who want to feel festive - even non-Christians.

So the FFRF tries the second best way to exert some semblance of power... change the name of the tree!

Answer 5

Holiday comes from the word Holy-day, christas trees are pagan in origin

Find out if their is a church st. in your city

hey, if you said you couldn't have any hallal food in your supermarket because it might endorse a religion you'd be in trouble.

Tell the freedom from religion movement to get of their high horses and stand for something not against something

Answer 6

I think Christmas stopped being about Christ a long time ago anyway. Why stop here?

I personally don't like them. I do not like the consumerism as well. I prefer to spend that time remembering and giving thanks for the true meaning of Christmas.