Posted on 11/27/2002 7:26:24 AM PST by marshmallow
TORONTO (Reuters) - Christmas is becoming an endangered word in parts of Canada in a rash of politically correct behavior -- such as renaming a Christmas tree a "holiday tree" -- that even non-Christians dismiss as silly.
Toronto city officials began the flap last week when they called the 50-foot (15.2 meter) tree set up outside City Hall a "holiday tree." That sparked much derision and prompted the city's mayor to set the record straight.
"Our special events staff went too far with their political correctness when they called it a holiday tree," said Mayor Mel Lastman. "They were trying to be inclusive and their hearts were in the right place, but you can't be politically correct all the time."
The mayor plans to introduce a motion in city council this week that will officially put the word Christmas in front of the word tree in all future city documents.
The name change led to complaints from Christians and left many non-Christians wondering what all the fuss was about.
"To take a generic term, slap it on a symbol that really only has significance to one religion..and then say we're being multicultural does not really fit," said Anita Bromberg of the Jewish group B'nai Brith Canada. "Whatever you call it, it's still a Christmas tree."
"You're not being inclusive when you try to apply one religious symbol to everybody. You call it what is."
Toronto has become the most multicultural city in Canada, with communities from around the world and residents who speak more than 100 different languages.
"I'm not sure what they're trying to achieve," Ahmed Shoker of the Canadian Islamic Congress in Saskatoon said on Monday. "Everyone has the full right to celebrate in their own way."
Toronto is not alone in its efforts to stress a holiday spirit rather than talking about Christmas.
The Royal Canadian Mint has a commercial in which it changes the old holiday standard "Twelve Days of Christmas" to "Twelve Days of Giving." But Mint spokesman Phil Taylor said the wording was merely meant to "position coins as a great gift for the holidays for whatever faith."
"It's the same kind of over the top political correctness," said Bernie Farber, Ontario executive director of the Canadian Jewish Congress. "There seems to be a fear within certain circles in Canada that people are going to react to Christmas in a negative way. But it's not the case.
"It's time to sort of get on with life, accept everybody for who they are and revel in their holidays as opposed to look for ways to deny people's holidays. It's just plain silly."
When Northern Europeans converted to Christianity, they kept the custom of the evergreen - because it stayed green and alive in Winter. This practice became part of the Christmas celebration. They also liked to adorn the tree with apples and candles - now our ornaments and lights.
FP
It is drivel. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The winter solstice, or whatever the pc crowd and the ACLU insists we "stole" it from is a completely different festival.
Europeans who used to celebrate their pagan festival began to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the same time. The Church of Rome decided to celebrate the Birth at this time.
This is nonsensical, stupid, political correctness as all of the various world wide known religions are represented in symbolic ways at the White House during various State dinners showing protocol to the visiting guest. And are all probably represented in some way in the WH during Christmas time. So why Hyde did not say 'Christmas tree' is beyond me.
Yesterday, I called the promotions director at the station and told her I received their Holiday Viewing Guide, and asked exactly what holiday it was for...Memorial Day, Fourth of July, what? She replied, "Thanksgiving and Christmas." I asked, "Why didn't you say so? Are you people so stupefied by political correctness that you can't even use the word Christmas?" She said, "I don't know what you want me to say." I told her I didn't want her to say anything, I wanted her to catch on." Needless to say, she didn't. Bless her poor black heart...I couldn't tell her I'd never watch her station again. I haven't watched it in years, already!
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