Posted on 12/01/2004 3:43:57 PM PST by FredZarguna
If groups celebrating American Indian holy people, German culture and the Chinese New Year can march in the city's Parade of Lights, why can't a Christian group march to celebrate Christmas?
That's just one of the questions bothering prominent Denver-area Pastor George Morrison.
He said he was barred from participating in the parade because his multicultural church group wanted its Christian-themed float to feature traditional yuletide hymns and a "Merry Christmas" message.
"It's a little confusing to me," said Morrison, pastor of Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, one of the region's largest evangelical churches, with more than 4,000 worshippers.
"Here we have this holiday, Christmas, approaching, and Parade of Lights is suddenly changed into something where you can't even sing a Christmas song?"
But the parade does not allow "direct religious themes," said spokesman Michael Krikorian. That includes "Merry Christmas" signs and the singing or playing of traditional Christmas hymns. He added that the rules were spelled out when Morrison's intermediary called last spring to inquire about contributing a float.
"We want to avoid that specific religious message out of respect for other religions in the region," Krikorian said. "It could be construed as disrespectful to other people who enjoy a parade each year."
The one-hour parade, which is celebrating its 30th year this Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Denver, features elaborate floats with holiday symbols such as Santa Claus and gingerbread houses, plus an "international procession" of cultural groups.
(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...
I am so appalled and offended by this city's intolerance!!
Appalled, yes. Offended, OK. But are you even surprised?
I think it is time to give 'em their political correctness back, right between the eyes.
the organizers are lucky not to be facing a lawsuit - which is really what needs to happen to preserve Christian rights!
You are not kidding. A big lawsuit changes practice and big rewards are followed. These people are pushovers. And they set it up for the rest of us.
ping
I guess I get a little bothered when a church can't have a "Merry Christmas" float, yet we can be subjected to half naked women wrapped in lights.
But I am not surprised ... I want to move out of Denver in a bad way.
They should be concerned that the bad press they're getting for being so PC will have an unintended effect of driving people away from downtown Denver, parade or no parade.
Perhaps a few words to the sponsor will make them want to reconsider their position before next year's parade.
Thanks for the ping!
I'm so happy that the ad from this morning's paper is tacked on my bulletin board about the Christmas Parades in this county.......we will be attending more than one in the next several weeks.
It's the feast of Saturnalia and celebration of Mithra parade. Get with the program. Unless the Christians are prepared to debauched underage boys I suggest they stay home.
/sarc
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
You're right - I'm lucky.
It is simply an example of what happens when a religion become state sanctified. Humanism is the state religion, and they have decided to make any references to the Christian and Jewish God Illegal.
Athiest's have always been closet Nazi's.
BTTT! First the identity, then the person.
This stuff is worthy of a bull's posterior!
As in against the idiotic position of the city?
MM
If the good pastor finds this "confusing," perhaps he doesn't understand the raw hypocrisy of the powers that be. It's time to stop feeling confused, hurt, etc. -- time to stop asking for fair play from our enemies.
Time to start calling them what they are -- our enemies -- and bringing them into public contempt by any means necessary. The rev. seems to think he still lives in a common culture with these people and can appeal to common values. He doesn't. We don't. Time to recognize the fact, and act accordingly.
Tell these people to get with the program or we'll shut down Christmas and the millions in tax dollars it generates. We'll also sue them for hijacking our Savior.
Amen.
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