Free Republic

Republicans who lead the Wisconsin Assembly voted Tuesday to call the state Capitol evergreen a Christmas tree and formally recognize National Bible Week, moves they said were necessary to ensure Christianity isn’t marginalized as the holidays approach. The 64-30 vote on naming the tree was a direct response to Gov. Tony Evers’ declaration last week that it would be called a “holiday tree.” Evers’ Republican predecessor Scott Walker, the son of a Baptist minister, declared the evergreen was a Christmas tree during his first term in 2011. “It seems like the only religion we’re willing to take shots at is...

Should city councils be endorsing the Bible? Without debate or fanfare, Apple Valley recently joined about 400 other U.S. cities that declared this week as Bible Week, an annual observance that promotes Bible-reading and recognizes the Scriptures' "unique place in American life." Apple Valley council members said the proclamation seemed fairly innocuous when they passed it without discussion Nov. 9, as they have in years past. But Jewish, Muslim and even Christian leaders who learned of the little-known resolution say it dangerously mingles government and religion. "The city should not be in the business of endorsing a particular tradition, unless...