Posted on 12/26/2004 7:22:11 PM PST by quidnunc
Celebrations of the season take on unique forms around the world Santa Claus, Christmas trees victims of political correctness in secular Europe
Paris – Santa Claus is facing tough times in Europe. So, for that matter, are the Virgin Mary, Joseph and even baby Jesus.
From Paris to Palermo, Christmas — make that the holiday season — has fallen afoul of political correctness and growing secularity in a region that spawned some of the oldest yuletide traditions.
Even the humble Christmas tree is under attack.
Consider the fate of one innocent conifer, standing at the entrance hall of Van Dongen high school, outside Paris. Like other schools around France, Van Dongen is coming to grips with a new French law, directed at female Muslim students who wear veils, that bans conspicuous religious symbols in public schools.
When a pair of students complained about the tree, it was promptly removed — and only reinstated after teachers issued a statement that Christmas trees were pagan symbols long before they were Christian ones.
The same law prompted teachers in the northern French town of Coudekerque- Branche to ship back 1,300 boxes of chocolates to the city hall that donated them because the candy was shaped like crosses and Saint Nicholas figures.
"There were a few problems of understanding," conceded Helen Quettu, a regional high school spokeswoman. "But it was only one incident."
To be sure, there is a dazzling Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, resplendent in red and blue tinsel. But just across the Seine River, City Hall is barren of holiday decorations. Paris' Socialist government opted to install a skating rink instead.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
In Hell. Nobody can hear you speak French.
It's been a pretty concentrated effort this year, hasn't it? Grab hold people, don't let them take it away. If the euros want to become a Godless society, that's their choice, but it won't fly here.
I heard an interesting statistic recently that Western Europe is one of the most "religion free zones" on earth. Would not suprise me if it was true ---
I heard an interesting statistic recently that Western Europe is one of the most "religion free zones" on earth. Would not suprise me if it was true ---
Yes, and one of the reasons the European Union will be fertile ground for the anti christs rise to power.
In Hell. Nobody can hear you speak French.
Latin, either.
Being P.C. sure must ruin the Christmas season for a lot of froggies.......
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.