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New York Village Would Rather Remove 9-Foot Menorah than Allow Nativity Scene
Life Site News ^ | 12.19.06 | JORGE FITZ-GIBBON

Posted on 12/20/2006 4:54:27 PM PST by Coleus

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y., December 20, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Village of Briarcliff Manor officials have decided to remove their entire holiday display, including a 9-foot-tall menorah, from a public park rather than allow a resident to add a crèche after Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys won a temporary restraining order Friday from a federal judge. The lawsuit and TRO motion were filed Dec. 11 after the Briarcliff Manor Village's Board of Trustees refused to permit the display.

"The village's constitutional violations regarding religious expression in public make them look like the grinches who stole Christmas and Chanukah from the citizens of Briarcliff Manor," said ADF-allied attorney John Stepanovich. "It is truly sad that officials have chosen not only to thumb their noses at religion but at the justice system as well, since our client's request of equal access for a privately-funded crèche in addition to the menorah was entirely constitutional."

In place of where the holiday display once stood, village officials displayed a sign criticizing U.S. District Judge William C. Conner's decision to grant the temporary restraining order. The federal court judge's decision forced officials to either remove the menorah or grant resident Henry Ritell's request to display a nativity scene alongside it.

The sign read, "The Village erected a menorah and Christmas tree display in a spirit of inclusion. In response to a federal court order the entire display has been removed. We disagree with the court." Following outcry from the public, village officials removed the sign.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; US: New York
KEYWORDS: aclumia; adf; antichristian; briarcliffmanor; brooklyn; catholic; chanukah; christmas; grinchstolechristmas; henryritell; jewish; menorah; nativityscene; religiousintolerance; waronchristmas; waronchristmas2006
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To: AlexW

In my opinion it also has to do with the disintegration of the Jewish community. The quarrel between religious Jews and "secular" jews goes back to the 17th and 18th Centuries. Sometimes during the 19th Century, the idea of an "ethnic" Jews appeared: someone who was "Jewish" but nonobservant or even hostile to Judaism. So we get a new "nationality" where family kinship rather than religion is determinative. Now even the latter seems to be breaking down as Jews more an more intermarry with nonJews and birthrates among Jews drop. Only the observant seem to be growing in numbers. I suspect that the impatience with Christian symbols is part of the fear of assimilation. It puts some rabbis in alliance with those Jews who detest all religion.


181 posted on 12/21/2006 9:47:42 AM PST by RobbyS ( CHI)
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To: RobbyS

Well said, but we must face the fact that the courts of this country don't view religion in the same way we do. While there are many who highlight Christianity there are a bunch of judges and human rights organizations that make it their agenda to keep any symbols of Christianity out of the public arena.


182 posted on 12/21/2006 10:35:05 AM PST by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
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To: Coleus

Those who preach tolerance wind up to be the most INTOLERANT of all.


183 posted on 12/21/2006 10:45:43 AM PST by Cucumber
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To: BW2221

In my case I say bring it on. The head of the DNC here (A Lawyer and probably a card carrying ACLY member) is a friend of mine (sorry) and he knows I carry a big gun and sometimes skirt a law. Pot shots at ACLU lawyers might be entertaining.


184 posted on 12/21/2006 10:50:57 AM PST by Dov in Houston (Hmmmm....)
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To: RobbyS

"In my opinion it also has to do with the disintegration of the Jewish community"

Thank you for your observations.
Remember, I am from Memphis, and I never observed strong orthodoxy that I see only in movies.
Some of my best friends were Jewish. One was a great interior designer, and put on the best New Years eve parties that I ever visited. The nearest synagogue was only a few blocks away from his home.


185 posted on 12/21/2006 11:34:58 AM PST by AlexW (Reporting from Bratislava, Slovakia)
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To: taxesareforever
A Christmas tree is a secular symbol.

That's why so many Jews put them up in their homes. /sarc

Yes, I know a few do.

186 posted on 12/21/2006 11:39:50 AM PST by poindexter
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To: Bainbridge

well, I grew up there in the 50's, early 60's and trust me .. it was WASP!


187 posted on 12/21/2006 12:08:24 PM PST by EDINVA
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To: Coleus; muawiyah
I believe that sacrificing an evergreen tree on the Winter Solstice and anointing it with lit candles was a Germanic pagan custom.
188 posted on 12/21/2006 12:31:33 PM PST by NathanR (Après moi, le deluge.)
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To: NathanR

A "pagan religious custom" ~ not just a "pagan custom". After all, it was a "pagan custom" to eat food, drink water and wear clothes.


189 posted on 12/21/2006 12:59:06 PM PST by muawiyah
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To: muawiyah
Sorry you did not understand the ellipsis.

It should have been: pagan religious custom
190 posted on 12/21/2006 1:18:16 PM PST by NathanR (Après moi, le deluge.)
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To: AlexW

The vicinity of the synagogue is a major decision in where an orthodox jew lives.

We are not supposed to drive on the Sabbath so live close enough to walk there.

(in case you didn't know it already)


191 posted on 12/21/2006 3:04:52 PM PST by Dov in Houston (Hmmmm....)
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To: Coleus
Northern Euro's should just go back to worshiping Odin. Since God said "You shall have no other God before me", we should be able to honor lesser gods below Him.

Anyway,I'm sure Odin could pound Mohamed into submission.

192 posted on 12/21/2006 3:32:57 PM PST by muleskinner
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To: poindexter

And, how many atheists put a tree up?


193 posted on 12/21/2006 3:51:33 PM PST by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
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To: 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; afraidfortherepublic; Alas; al_c; american colleen; annalex; ...


194 posted on 12/21/2006 5:06:42 PM PST by Coleus (Happy Chanukkah, Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe)
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To: NathanR

thanks.. probably done today the 21st too...


195 posted on 12/21/2006 5:11:02 PM PST by Coleus (Happy Chanukkah, Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe)
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To: dr_who_2

The Left is far from being a staw argument. It is the Left (namely the ACLU) in every instance that is sueing to remove crosses from monuments, county seals (representing history, not prostelytizing), grave yards, sueing to stop prayer at sporting events, Bible clubs, etc. They aren't going after Muslims, just Christians. In fact, the Left is the ones that make kids learn about Islam by learning the tenents of Islam dressing and reciting prayer, etc. Have you ever heard of a Christian being able to "teach" anything about their religion in a classroom? Didn't think so. Then you have well-known Lefties like Rosie O'Donnell saying that "Christian extremists in America" are causing far more havoc than terrorists, without citing one incident. She can't because there aren't any!

Christmas trees don't have to be biblical to be a Christian traditions. Creches are though. The scene as described in the Gospels are creches. They don't just have to be physical. Saint Nicholas isn't in there either, but the reason for gift giving is because he was inspired by the Wisemen. BTW, what is the part about counting the # of paragraphs in the Lord's prayer?

No Christianity isn't hard to understand, but there will always be issues that are discussed/debated/researched. However, that is the case with any religion. You assert that there is no honest debate. What do you base this on?

"Well, in the interest of solidarity with Detroit-area muslims, we should also recognise the importance of Mohammed-oops-peace be upon him!-so I guess we should all observe the fast come Ramadan, right?"

Muslims aren't being attacked, nor will they be by the Left. Christians are. I'm one of the first to stand upI didn't state that everyone HAD to put up a creche and menorah. It was a suggestion. The only "agenda" I have is to fight the Left's oppression, suppression, and repression in this country! People have always decorated their homes, offices, streets, cars for Christmas, whether they made the decorations themselves or bought them. You seem so ardent about not being told to have something, yet fail to realize that that is exactly what you are doing to those that wish to celebrate. I love seeing menorahs this time of year. I love seeing creches as well, but unfortunately, they are getting harder to find. Thank God I can drive Bob Hope's estate and still see a life size creche!

Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!


196 posted on 12/21/2006 6:43:48 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Perfect Christmas gift for Ahmadinejad...a bunker buster deliverd by the Israelis!)
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To: dr_who_2

"..."the Left" just sounds to me like a convenient straw man."

Check out a new thread about creches being vandalized across the nation, and then tell me if you still think it is a strawman.


197 posted on 12/21/2006 6:54:49 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Perfect Christmas gift for Ahmadinejad...a bunker buster deliverd by the Israelis!)
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To: taxesareforever

"Good for the judge. A menorah and a creche are religious symbols."

I wouldn't be surprised if he were a Clinton-appointed judge, and in any event, he doesn't know the First Amendment - FREEDOM OF RELIGION.


198 posted on 12/21/2006 7:26:46 PM PST by Sun (*MERRY CHRISTMAS!* And during this beautiful season, let's all pray for good to win over evil soon!)
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To: Sun

I agree on the freedom of religion. Therefore if a nativity scene is banned then a menorah also should be banned. However, I do not believe that either should be banned, but that is the way the courts have been ruling. Basically, against Christianity.


199 posted on 12/21/2006 11:24:29 PM PST by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
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