Posted on 11/06/2007 3:42:36 AM PST by Man50D
A special task force in a Colorado city has recommended banning red and green lights at the Christmas holiday because they fall among the items that are too religious for the city to sponsor.
"Some symbols, even though the Supreme Court has declared that in many contexts they are secular symbols, often still send a message to some members of the community that they and their traditions are not valued and not wanted. We don't want to send that message," Seth Anthony, a spokesman for the committee, told the Fort Collins, Colo., Coloradoan.
He said the recommended language does not specifically address Christmas trees by name, but the consensus was that they would not fall within acceptable decorations.
What will be allowed are white lights and "secular" symbols not associated "with any particular holiday" such as icicles, unadorned greenery and snowflakes, the task force said.
The group was made up of members of the city's business and religious communities as well as representatives from some community groups. Members met for months to review the existing holiday display policy, which allowed white as well as multi-colored lights and wreaths and garlands.
In previous years, there also was a Christmas tree at the city's Oak Street Plaza.
A vote on the proposal will be coming up before the city council on Nov. 20, officials said.
"As far as I'm concerned, the group ended up in a very fair place in which primarily secular symbols will be used on city property," task force member Saul Hopper told the newspaper.
The existing holiday display rules were adopted in 2006 after a rabbi requested that the city display a menorah.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
“He said the recommended language does not specifically address Christmas trees by name, but the consensus was that they would not fall within acceptable decorations.”
I always enjoyed the multi color lights it made every thing more cheerful that time of the year.
In case these misguided souls don’t know better White is a symbol for purity as in Mother and Child!
“And a happy Independence Day back atcha! ;-). Or does that send the message that some are not welcome?”
Er, well, some are not welcome here but that is not a bad thing, not a bad thing at all in many cases.
As a practicing Jew, I just cannot get my mind around this idea that I should be offended and “uncomfortable” at the public celebration of a Christian holiday. The arrogance of such a position is breathtaking.
Last year, a lib I have the misfortune to know asked me if wasn’t offended at all the Christmas decorations and songs around town. I said, “No, I am not a totalitarian bigot.”
“Are you suggesting that those who take offense at this are totalitarian bigots?!” he huffed.
“Yes, I am suggesting exactly that.” He huffed away at that point, no doubt looking for some Muslims or New-Age shamanists who might come closer to meeting his expectations.
Every time I read a post like this I shake my head and say that it can’t get any worse, but there is always a new example dummies on parade.
Absolutely... replace them both with one 'purple light'. Purple is much less 'threatening'... and doesn't infringe on ones self-esteem. The driver would see the purple-light and give more thought before deciding whether to stop... or simply drive through.
Oh, good for you!
My personal gripe is about celebrating "Christmas" months before the actual date. "Merry Christmas!" says the clerk at the Food Lion on November 5. "Happy birthday!" I respond. "It's not my birthday." "It's not Christmas, either; it's November 5. Be sure to vote for Hullinger for Town Council and Quinn for Mayor tomorrow!"
Another argument - green is OK because we want to display our commitment to the environment and to policies that reduce our footprint on nature. Red shows our solidarity with the working class and our resolute support of the vanguard of the proletariat. Think they will buy it?
What’s missing on this forum is outrage at what is clearly an attack on American tradition and Christianity. Instead we make lame jokes about traffic lights as the multicultural advocates crap on us. Such people should be run out of town by an irate mob let alone allowed to hold public office.
What's so special on the secular calendar about this time of year?
Total, utter insanity. It’s CHRISTMAS, damn it.
Well, I have a different take.
I think an interior decorator is propsing this and making it look like a religious thing but really it is a matter of taste.
We have fought over Christmas tree lights for 40 years. I like plain white tiny lights and husband and kids want those big red and green victorian lights. I think they are garish.
So I think some decorator wants Ft Collins to have tasteful little white inoffensive lights and not look garish.
That is my take and I know I am probably wrong.
Dont misunderstand,,we are outraged. And heaping scorn and disdain on them with every joke. We can’t go shoot them, we are not voters in Colorado but we can make them a laughingstock and sometimes that works.
Kwanzaa.
“Christmas trees by name, but the consensus was that they would not fall within acceptable decorations.
No problem.......Blue Spruce
Don’t forget the blue flashing lights on cop cars too!
Which traditions are those?
Some traditions, and some phony pseudo-traditions, ARE not valued or wanted.
The celebration if the birth of the Savior of the world is not a tradition, it's a living memorial to the second most important event in the history of mankind.
Putting a barbarian heathen cult festival, or a made-up communist propaganda holiday alongside Christmas is what sends a message - and it's not a message that I accept delivery on.
Just put up the menorah and leave it at that.
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