Athiests fight public display of "giving" tree

[Disney Doll]

Well, septbride, first of all, I don't know what a pentacle is. But if it was a pretty decoration and had th names of needy families on it that I could help, it wouldn't bother me.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Well, septbride, first of all, I don't know what a pentacle is. But if it was a pretty decoration and had th names of needy families on it that I could help, it wouldn't bother me.

 

[disneymom3]

I could care less what the decoration is, but I do think that a tree is a much more fitting thing to have the family needs hanging on than....well, let's see we can't offend anyone, so ummmm, well I guess it would have to be a blank wall. Yeah, that's festive!

The point is that the tree is a historic symbol of the overall season and that they are trying to help families in need. Good grief.

 

[totalia]

I love that pentacle.

I'm pagan. I think people are far overreacting to the tree. I don't even consider the tree to be Christian. It's just part of the holiday. Besides, it's a pagan tradition.

Its like Santa Claus. Nothing to do with Christianity but heck of alot of fun.

 

[dcentity2000]

Positive discrimination is racism.



Rich::

 

[EsmeraldaX]

The tree is helping people, no matter what religion you believe or don't believe in they surely can't be against helping people can they?

If I went into a building/store that was decorated for Hanukah, why would I be offended? Just because they didn't have Christmas stuff up? I guess I just don't get it.

I don't get it either. I think some people just are not happy unless they are trying to rain on someone elses parade...

 

[chadfromdallas]

I see this in the same view as I see strippers giving gifts to needy children. Who cares?

 

[septbride2002]

I love that pentacle.

I'm pagan. I think people are far overreacting to the tree. I don't even consider the tree to be Christian. It's just part of the holiday. Besides, it's a pagan tradition.

Its like Santa Claus. Nothing to do with Christianity but heck of alot of fun.

Which is exactly the point I was trying to make in defense of the city. The athiest really don't know what they are talking about considering that the tree was originally a pagan symbol. Of course it seems people like DisneyDoll - didn't bother to read that post and just skipped to where I asked the pentacle question. figures.

Santa Claus in his present day form is actually an adaptation of St. Nicholas who was one of the first well known saints in the Chrisitian Faith. Of course in his current adaptation he does not reflect it much.

~Amanda

 

[EsmeraldaX]

This is a pentacle. The five points sometimes symbolize the senses, or 5 aspects of spirituality. I have also heard it refered to as symbolizing the elements of earth, water, air, fire etc.

 

[dcentity2000]

If the atheist is this concerned, he probably thinks about God, albeit in terms of denial, more than a great many Christians



Rich::

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

I see this in the same view as I see strippers giving gifts to needy children. Who cares?

So let me get this straight, you're comparing a Christmas tree to strippers?

Oh no that offensive tree! How can I live when I have to see that the government has mandated Christianity upon everyone by placing a tree in display!

 

[totalia]

Which is exactly the point I was trying to make in defense of the city. The athiest really don't know what they are talking about considering that the tree was originally a pagan symbol. Of course it seems people like DisneyDoll - didn't bother to read that post and just skipped to where I asked the pentacle question. figures.

Santa Claus in his present day form is actually an adaptation of St. Nicholas who was one of the first well known saints in the Chrisitian Faith. Of course in his current adaptation he does not reflect it much.

~Amanda

lol. Santa Claus has many incarnations. St. Nicholas is only one of very many. Christianity doesn't have a specific claim over it. The names include Father Christmas and Kris Kringle. Thus Santa Claus is only the modern incarnation of very ancient traditions including sky-riding gods who delivered gifts.

You know, it never ceases to amaze me how many Christians try to claim ancient traditions and fairy tales as only Christian in origin. That just isn't the case.

And the tradition of Santa Claus as we know him is a tradition that involves flying reigndeer, magical elves, and a jolly old man in a red suit that can wiggle his nose and slide up chimney's. How does that seem Christian to you? It doesn't to me. It sounds like a modern day fairy tale no matter that at some point in the long distant past, a Christian Bishop had a name that is associated with the fairy tale.

This is a pentacle. The five points sometimes symbolize the senses, or 5 aspects of spirituality. I have also heard it refered to as symbolizing the elements of earth, water, air, fire etc.

Posted only for those who don't know...

It also symbolizes the 5 elements (the bottom 4 points are earth, wind, fire, water, and spirit) and the mind ruling over the body (the top point is the head while the bottom four points are the arms and legs).

It is a positive symbol that celebrates the earth and the rule of the logical mind over the base desires of the body.

 

[chadfromdallas]

So let me get this straight, you're comparing a Christmas tree to strippers?

Oh no that offensive tree! How can I live when I have to see that the government has mandated Christianity upon everyone by placing a tree in display!

No, the situation.

 

[Elwood Blues]

Binny - you make a good point - but who is to be the tolerant one in this situation. The people who find the tree offensive or those that want the tree to stay?

~Amanda

Ah yes. The "chicken or the egg" argument.

The person who wants the "giving" tree to stay is offended if it's removed and the other person is offended if it stays.

There is *no* solution to this problem that would satisfy both.

What is your suggestion?

 

[Elwood Blues]

Are we not then to respect people's feelings just because they don't fall in the majority?

~Amanda

Nope!! When you try to please everyone, you please no one.

 

[Elwood Blues]

Positive discrimination is racism.



Rich::

What?!?

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope!! When you try to please everyone, you please no one.

Exactly! As far as not offending anyone goes.....why is my viewpoint any less important than someone else's? Say someone doesn't like the 'tree' so the powers that be take it down. But, I like that 'tree'. So, their likes are more important than mine? Why can't people just walk on by. If you like it, terrific, if not...just ignore it. I don't find Menorah's offensive. People need a little more tolerance.

 

[Mermaid02]

I think somebody just wanted to get their name in the paper and try to screw up peoples happy celebration (religious or secular) that we call Christmas. What pathetic sad people.

 

[Beanie]

This kind of crap is getting out of hand. People need to get a grip.

People are really getting extreme now with this stuff. Pretty soon we won't be doing anything because people are going to be afraid of offending someone. It is sad, really

 

[septbride2002]

lol. Santa Claus has many incarnations. St. Nicholas is only one of very many. Christianity doesn't have a specific claim over it. The names include Father Christmas and Kris Kringle. Thus Santa Claus is only the modern incarnation of very ancient traditions including sky-riding gods who delivered gifts.

As I said - his modern day form does not reflect anything Saint Nicholas stood for except for gift giving. I was not trying to claim that Chrisitianity has a specific claim to him.

~Amanda