Posted on 12/09/2006 10:56:18 PM PST by Coleus
There will be no more Christmas trees at Sea-Tac Airport this season after the Port of Seattle received at least one complaint about them. For more than 25 years, the airport has celebrated the holidays with Christmas trees over its entrances. But overnight, the Port of Seattle ordered all 15 trees removed.
"I think it's very unfortunate. Why lose the Christmas spirit? Christmas is for kids," said passenger Lisa Jones. The Port allowed "holiday" decorations to remain but decided to take down all the Christmas trees after a Jewish religious leader complained they were offensive.
"It's a Christmas tree! It's not like they were displaying crucifixes or menorahs or anything religious, but Christmas trees that have been around here for years," said an employee who asked not to be identified.
The Port of Seattle says it had little choice. It says a Seattle rabbi with the Central Organization for Jewish Learning hired an attorney and threatened to sue if the airport did not erect an eight-foot menorah to balance the message of the Christmas trees.
According to airport spokeswoman the two sides could not reach an agreement before the lawsuit was to be filed, so the trees were removed instead. Angry airport employees have started a campaign urging people to call the Port of Seattle to complain. The Christmas trees are now in storage or hidden in unused areas of the airport where they won't be seen.
The airline companies, which lease space in the airport, are not being required to remove decorations from their check-in counters. Rachel Garson with the Port of Seattle said they would revisit the issue of Christmas trees after the holidays are over. "Since this is the busiest time of year we decided to take the decorations down now and consider a new policy after the new year." said Garson.
I've contaced them. Does anyone happen to know the address of the Central Organization for Jewish Learning? I found the Central Org for Jewish Education, which may be the same.
I'd like to send a letter to the Rabbi expressing my admiration of Judaism, but my extreme disappointment and even anger over his actions.
Why take away somethings because a few people complain ? Christmas is a federal holiday. Screw these people.
I'm tired of leftist Jews and I am tired of leftist Christians. But even leftist Christians don't try to take down Jewish religious displays.
Central Organization for Jewish Education
Chabad Lubavitch of the Pacific Northwest
4541 19th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA 98105
Director: Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin
Telephone: 206-527-1411
Email address: info@chabadofseattle.org
http://www.chabadofseattle.org/
I have no problem with that whatsoever and would venture a guess that no Christian do.
Christian=Christians
When the mohammedans decide to go BOOM, this will be least of everyone's problem- it's coming- only a fool is in denial!
Why did the airport give in so easily?
The thing is that then, the ACLU would have sued, because of the presence of the Meninoria.
Putting up the Menorah would have brought an ACLU lawsuit because the Menorah IS a religous symbol. Public Placement of Menorahs has brought ACLU lawsuits in quiet a few juristictions out east. But, Islamic and Communist desplays don't.
We've lost our core belief in this country...we are quickly becoming a Tower of Babel. How easily we have give away what was paid for in much blood and pain by our ancestors.
Let me call a big effing B.S. on that. They chose to give up because it's easier. I'm tired of this one person complaining trumps everyone else B.S.
I'm offended that this so-called "Jewish religious leader" is infesting my country like some kind of perverted parasite. He needs to pack his bags and move his goatsmelling ass somewhere else. America doesn't need maggots like him. And don't let the screen door hit you in that ass Mr. "Leader."
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Under the circumstances, no menorah, because it would be done under duress. This arrogant jerk needs to TAKE HIS MEDICINE.
Exactly. And we need to burn up the phone lines of these pukes. And the MSM, so the word gets out.
Let me put it this way. I have never had a problem with the Menorah. In this particular case, you are probably right.
The liberals are systematically tearing down this country one building block at a time.
Menorah=ACLU lawsuit...
Why lose the Christmas spirit? Christmas is for kids
I have seen this statement many times and it mades me wonder if people have forgotten what Christmas is really all about. It's not just for the kids, it's for Jesus.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1751183/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1751100/posts
How retarded. He sure is making lots of friends this way. I wonder exactly what it is he finds offensive about a christmas tree?
Christmas trees are pagan or secular at best. They're morons to have wasted time on this Rabbi's misplaced complaint.
A menorah has nothing to do with Christmas, so how can it "Balance" the message? The Jewish holiday is long past before Christmas.
I certainly would NOT put a menorah up to appease this moron.
However, Maybe muslims would like to see a black rock or what ever muslims do for eide placed beside every menorah displayed in public since those two dates frequently collide.
However, If push comes to shove from these anti Christian Morons, I say do away with the whole Christmas thing. No more presents, Christmas trees, decorating your house, stringing up lights, and all the other activities associated with Christmas.
Christians can still go to church and celebrate Christmas as we have always done. Lets take something away from the pagans who hate Christmas. Lets take away the economic boom. I'm sure that will resonate well with the business community. Other bitter, miserable hate filled creeps like that rabbi can go to work while I enjoy a feast in honor of my Savior. That rabbi can go about defying God as normal.
Eid changes every year, Muslims go by a lunar year.
Again, as I said, the meorah has nothing to do with Christmas.
Therefore it should not be placed along side a Christmas tree.
there is no message to balance. Christmas is on dec 25 for most. (you can have two Christmas's if you like)
What "biggest churches" are muslim 'friends?' None that I know of.
"Christmas trees are pagan or secular at best."
Not really true.
Once a tradition takes on a religious significance, it doesn't really matter where it came from. Rather, it matters what value people ascribe to that symbol at the moment.
I seriously doubt you place much religious significance in the pelican, but in medieval times, it was seen as a sign of the sacrifice of Christ, to have bled from its breast to feed its young.
Sacred? Absolutely. A reflection of the divine (if not a manifestation of the essence) in the natural world.
Religious today? Not really.
oops I should clarify that for you.
The jewish holiday has nothing to do with the pagan Christmas season, so there is no message to balance.
Christian Christmas is on Dec 25 for most,(Or Jan. if you go by the Julian calender) AFTER the candle stick thing.
I agree very much with your comment #39 and see your reasoning.
Hippies and their kids need to be rounded up in those camps they're always afraid someone is going to be rounding them up in. Now.
I'm not even Jewish, though, and can't say as to whether a rabbi should publicly denounce what he believes to be idolatry or ignore it and avoid strife with those of other religions.
Oh I see what you are doing. You are still full of it. You are taking the actions of a isolated few acting on their own and trying to turn it into a conspiracy.
Other than the presbyterian church that is.
looks like you share some common feelings with the Rabbi.
Thank you for sharing that commentary. It was both funny and sad! But laughing at extreme hardships help some of the best and toughest people to get through them. Those who've at least been through three-month initial training for combat (combat) specialties have at least a little insight. We will light a menorah as non-Jews, saying different blessings, and as guided by an authority (Orthodox Rabbi).
As much as I love and respect all things Jewish, this kind of thing really burns me up.
So what!
Let 'em sue.
In fact, I hope some legal right-thinking group sues THIS Jewish group for violating the American right to practice one's culture and/or faith.
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