Hannukkah in the Parks?

[SamanthaL]

I, too, am hoping I misunderstood. Please come back and tell us.

 

[DisneyDiver]

I think it must be very hard for Disney to keep all religious groups happy, especially in terms of religious festivals. I know Hannukkah is celebrated by as many (maybe more) people than Christmas, but in the way Disney present it, it strikes me that they mean their Christmas celebrations to be more about Santa Claus and Christmas trees than the religious side of the festival.

Personally, I think this is a good thing - keeping Disney religiously neutral is probably preferable than trying to fulfil the wishes of every major religious group, and generally ending up with a mish mash of several festivals, with everyone being unhappy.

I'm not trying to get anyone's backs up with this, it's just how I see it.

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by DisneyDiver
I think it must be very hard for Disney to keep all religious groups happy, especially in terms of religious festivals. I know Hannukkah is celebrated by as many (maybe more) people than Christmas, but in the way Disney present it, it strikes me that they mean their Christmas celebrations to be more about Santa Claus and Christmas trees than the religious side of the festival.

Personally, I think this is a good thing - keeping Disney religiously neutral is probably preferable than trying to fulfil the wishes of every major religious group, and generally ending up with a mish mash of several festivals, with everyone being unhappy.

I'm not trying to get anyone's backs up with this, it's just how I see it.

Well if neutral is the answer than no symbols should be represented. I love the trees and the Christmas music piped into the parks but if you commit to one than expect others to wonder.

 

[DisneyDiver]

Originally posted by SamanthaL
Well if neutral is the answer than no symbols should be represented. I love the trees and the Christmas music piped into the parks but if you commit to one than expect others to wonder.

Fair enough, I can understand your point of view totally here. I'm in the position where I just celebrate Christmas as a time to be with family, rather than celebrating it as a religious event.

I've never noticed to be honest, but do Disney reference the Nativity et al in the parks? I've only ever seen generic "Xmas" stuff like trees, candy canes and Mickey in his Santa gear.

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by DisneyDiver
Fair enough, I can understand your point of view totally here. I'm in the position where I just celebrate Christmas as a time to be with family, rather than celebrating it as a religious event.

I've never noticed to be honest, but do Disney reference the Nativity et al in the parks? I've only ever seen generic "Xmas" stuff like trees, candy canes and Mickey in his Santa gear.

I see what you mean, but these symbols ARE inherant of Christmas alone. These symbols are only used in the Christmas celebration.
They used to do a whole nativity reenactment but I don't know if they still do.

 

[ValDisney]

Christmas trees are a symbol of the holiday Christamas which is a Christian religion. It is not neutral.

 

[SamanthaL]

Sorry to sound like my dander is up. It wasn't at first. I guess after awhile you wonder why what you believe is not as important as what other people believe. I think blending everything together is what makes this country great. Don't leave me out.

 

[DisneyDiver]

Originally posted by ValDisney
Christmas trees are a symbol of the holiday Christamas which is a Christian religion. It is not neutral.

Ok, as I said, I'm not being confrontational. I see Christmas trees, candy canes and Santa as symbols of the holiday season - not really religious in my mind; historically Christmas trees have nothing to do with the traditional Christian festival, more the modern institution that Christmas has become. Nativity scenes, hymns and the like are what I deem to be the religious component of Christmas, and I do think that Disney may try and stick to the more commercial side of the holiday season in order to try not to offend other religions.

It's all about perspectives - you have yours, I have mine, and nobody is wrong really... what I deem to be neutral because of it lacking in religious meaning may be the opposite of what you do. Sorry if you were offended by what I said, but as I said before, it's just my interpretation.

 

[Baloo]

This question has been throughly answered on the topic pertaining to "theme parks" information. Now it's starting down a path that I don't believe needs to be discussed on TP&S Board.

If you have anything to say PLEASE do it to each other vie PMs or emails.

This thread is locked.