Posted on 11/17/2011 3:47:49 PM PST by Starman417
Wanna know how to make Cancer patients feel better? Fire Santa.
It's not even Thanksgiving yet and Santa Claus was fired then rehired (after a firestorm of "passionate response" from the public) at Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, South Carolina:
For each of the past two years, hospital volunteer Frank Cloyes spent one day as St. Nick, spreading good cheer and snacks to patients sitting through chemotherapy treatments. The 67-year-old James Island resident, a retired insurance executive who calls himself a "gregarious guy," paid for his own costume rental.On Tuesday morning, a volunteer coordinator told Cloyes his services no longer were needed.
"Because of our state affiliation, we decided not to have a Santa presence this year," Hollings spokeswoman Vicky Agnew said. Hollings is a part of the Medical University of South Carolina.
Decorations will be "more secular and respectful to all beliefs," Agnew said. "We don't want to offend a volunteer with good intentions, but we need to think of the bigger picture. People who are Muslim or Jewish or have no religious beliefs come here for treatment," she said.
You know who's offended? I, as a non-Christian, am offended by this intolerance for expressions of religious faith. Christmas is a Christian religious holiday; but the national celebration itself, including all the commercial trappings that go along with it, is deeply rooted in American tradition and should be embraced by all Americans of all faiths. It does not mean you have to be Christian to celebrate a universal message of peace and good will to all men. You might not believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ; but why rain on the parade of those who do?
The concept of Santa Claus himself is more commercial than he is Christian. Why should I, as Jew, Muslim, atheist, whatever, be offended by such a jolly ol' elf? When I was growing up, my parents celebrated Christmas as an American holiday. We handed out cards, decorated a tree, participated in gift-giving; and I was told that when I woke up the next morning, there'd be presents under the tree from Santa so long as I was not a naughty boy. Oh, and by the way: My mom is Buddhist. My dad a staunch atheist.
(Excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net...
Ok folks. This story was true but they decided to have Santa back. All is good again. Santa will visit the kids with cancer.
If he were called Ahmed Mohammed al-Santa and prayed for the death of Christians and Jews 5 times a day, I would be congratulating the Cancer Center.
HOWEVER . . . . . .
I am REALLY getting fed up with political correctness and the non-stop attack on Christianity by atheists, liberals and non-Christians (I know, they are all redundant). Back when we were a solidly Christian nation, people were nicer and more respectful, crime rates were lower, children grew up to be honest, clean, responsible, contributing members of society and education was appreciated.
Look where we are after decades of atacks on Chritianity!! God is tolerant of our mistakes . . . . . but He does have His limits!!
I’m glad Santa was rehired.
If there was a minority that might be offended...let them put a “No Santa” sign on the door and get over it.
I’m sure that the majority of sick children will be thrilled with a Santa visit.
Thank goodness that Santa will be back! Whatever can be done to make little kids with cancer happy (even for a short period of time) is Godly work IMHO.
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