Posted on 12/20/2010 7:52:19 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Christmas trees 'make non-Christians feel excluded'
Christmas trees should be removed from public places to avoid making non-Christians feel “excluded”, scientists have suggested
By Andy Bloxham 11:43AM GMT 20 Dec 2010
Researchers at Simon Fraser University in Canada, found non-Christians feel less self-assured and have fewer positive feelings if a Christmas tree was in the room.
The scientists conducted the study using 77 Christians and 57 non-believers, including Buddhists and Sikhs.
The participants did not know the survey was about Christmas, and were asked to fill in questions about themselves both when a 12-inch Christmas tree was in the room and when it was not.
"Non-celebrators" reported fewer positive feelings and less self-assurance in the Christmas room. Christians were mostly cheered by the tree.
Christians, however, did report feeling more guilt when a tree was in the room, which, claim the researchers, suggests the holidays can be stressful.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Hey, I feel excluded when my Jewish friends get gifts for eight straight days. What about MY feelings?
I’m Jewish, and have never celebrated Christmas or had a tree in my home.
I promise all of you that I dont’ feel excluded - and if I did, it’d be TS for me.
People are different, they think and act differently, and there is ALWAYS some minority - just freaking DEAL WITH IT!
I feel so excluded!
Ya THINK!!!!?
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
There is no basis for this study, as they did not do a parallel study in a room with the Islamic symbols of a minaret,a crescent moon, and a woman in a burka. I’ll just bet that you would really find insecurity in the majority of the participants then!
‘specially if that ROOM was in an AIRPORT!
I'm a Catholic and over the years I've been in a good number of Catholic churches that were decorated at Christmastime. Whether they should be there or not, I've seen many, many lovely Christmas trees in those churches. Though others may disagree, I never felt that they took away from the solemnity of the liturgy.
ditto!
Christmas trees are in Catholic churches, but they are not put up until just before Dec. 24th and are never lit until Christmas Eve Mass, and then only during the twelve days of Christmas - until the Feast of the Epiphany.
In the Catholic church Advent lasts for 4 Sundays until Christmas Eve. Then the Christmas Season is celebrated from Dec. 24 Evening onward. For this reason, we are not singing Christmas carols right now - but rather Advent songs of the long awaited coming of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
I am amazed that many of the Non-Catholic, non-Greek Orthodox , Christian denominations are already singing Christmas Carols during their Sunday worship services. It’s OK for a Christmas pageant for the kids, but is not really liturgically proper. After all, the Birth of Jesus is celebrated on Dec. 25th. Just my 2 cents worth!
In other words, there are bigots out there that are intolerant of the religious beliefs of others...
THEY ARE!
Guess they should get something besides them damn draddles.
When I see a smokin’ hot gal on someone else’s arm, *I* feel excluded.
Moron.
I’m a conservative.
Being around lots of heavily left-leaning media makes me feel excluded.
Ban the media.
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