Posted on 12/03/2004 8:10:28 AM PST by mondoman
Churches will gather to challenge parade's religious-theme ban
By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News December 3, 2004
Churchgoers throughout the Denver area have promised a crusading pastor to gather tonight and Saturday in downtown Denver to challenge, with cocoa and caroling, the exclusion of a Christian presence from the 30th annual Parade of Lights.
"We are getting churches from all over, and pastors with large churches, calling to ask, 'Where do we come?'" said Janette Rasor of Faith Bible Chapel, a 4,000-member Arvada church.
Advertisement
GetAd('00', false, '00', 250, 250, 'RELIGION_', '');
At least one other megachurch, with 2,500 members, pledged to send supporters Friday to 17th Street and Tremont Place one hour before the 8 p.m. parade begins. The crowd will also gather Saturday one hour before the 6 p.m. parade start. They plan to sing Christmas carols and offer hot chocolate to passersby.Pastor George Morrison of Faith Bible Chapel touched off a national firestorm Wednesday when he told the Rocky Mountain News that his idea for a Christmas-themed float had been spurned by parade officials.
The one-hour parade, a glittering spectacle mounted by a private nonprofit group, the Downtown Denver Partnership, doesn't allow any religious themes. The event features marching bands, cultural groups and floats with secular yuletide symbols such as Santa and gingerbread houses.
As news spread of the parade's policy, a movement began building to protest what some Christians see as intensifying attempts to bar them from public life.
On Thursday, Jim Basey, president of the partnership, issued a statement saying parade officials are "saddened" to have inadvertently created such division.
"We apologize to anyone who may have been offended or misunderstood that the Parade of Lights is 'anti-Christmas,' " Basey said. "We will continue to listen to all community concerns."
Morrison, who is in Tennessee on a speaking engagement, spent the last two days juggling appearances on all of Denver's major talk shows. Tonighthe's scheduled to appear on Fox's O'Reilly Factor with Bill O'Reilly.
Morrison and Basey are to meet early in 2005 to discuss next year's parade rules.
"We are committed to being inclusive and making sure downtown is everyone's downtown," said parade director Susan Rogers Kark. "Obviously, this (controversy) indicates that's not the case."
The parade's no-religion policy evolved over the past 10 years or so, said Bill Mosher, the partnership's president and CEO from 1990 to 1999.
"It's evolved and changed to reflect the thinking of the day," Mosher said, adding that his recollection was that in the early years Christmas themes played a major role in the parade.
Mosher said that if he were still in charge, he would discuss with the partnership that "maybe we've gone too far in one direction and it's time to pull it back."
The parade, which costs about $300,000 to produce, does not use public funds. The partnership is a consortium of 350 downtown companies that formed a special assessment district to seed programs to promote and enhance downtown Denver.
Two major parade sponsors are 9News and Xcel Energy. On Thursday, a spokeswoman for Xcel Energy said the company probably will not sponsor the parade next year, but not because of this controversy.
Margarita Alarcon said customers have been complaining about the company's support of the parade while energy bills have been skyrocketing.
9News did not return a call for comment. But on its Web site, it said a poll of 500 people in the metro area showed that 75 percent said the church should be allowed to enter its float. Twenty-one percent said it shouldn't and 4 percent weren't sure.
Meanwhile, organizers of tonight's gathering at 17th Street and Tremont Place don't know how many people will show up. For example, Rasor said one of more than 200 callers to Faith Bible Chapel pledged to bring a 150-member choir - but hung up before giving details.
Rasor stressed that the gathering is not a protest, but a celebration of Christmas. Denver police apparently aren't worried.
"Nobody in this crowd is going to engage in civil disobedience," said Mary Beth Klee, division chief in charge of special operations. She added, "I hope their hot chocolate is good."
I love it. I absolutely love it!
Mondoman, and do one more deliberate action. Say boldly, "Merry Christmas" to anyone you connect with this month -- at the Starbuck's, while shopping, at work. We have all been conditioned to say "Happy Holidays" without even realizing it and I have found myself, even today, having to force myself to say "Merry Christmas."
Everywhere I have shopped I have wished folks a Merry Christmas. Here everyone replies with the same.
I never ever say Happy Holidays, it makes no sense. By the same token, I don't say Merry Christmas to everyone I connect with. Why on earth would I wish a non Christian a Merry Christmas?
If a person is Jewish, and I know it, I don't wish them a happy Easter. It's the same thing.
"On Thursday, Jim Basey, president of the partnership, issued a statement saying parade officials are "saddened" to have inadvertently created such division."
INO "We got caught."
The internet means getting caught with your pants on fire.
BTTT
I was raised Catholic but in a neighborhood with lots of American Jews. I used to say "Happy Hanukkah" and was invited to lots of bar mitzvahs. So there is no reason why a Jew or a Muslim in my neighborhood should feel uncomfortable, during the Christmas season, hearing "Merry Christmas" or saying it. After all, the season is Christmas.
That's the old America I grew up in. But try saying "Merry Christmas" to a liberal Jew or a radical Muslim and wait for the glare; or better yet wait for them to wish you "Merry Christmas." You'll be waiting an awful long time.
So, forgive me, but this is Christmas season and I will say it to anyone and everyone. Partly because it is Christmas season. And partly because Christians have been on the defensive for so long, during their own season, that it's time to turn the tables.
Where's the float from "Animal House" when you need it?
I don't see a thing wrong with that, or them wishing ME a Merry Christmas. I always say thank you when they do.
So there is no reason why a Jew or a Muslim in my neighborhood should feel uncomfortable, during the Christmas season, hearing "Merry Christmas" or saying it.
They shouldn't. But I wouldn't wish them one. They don't believe in it. Would I say "Happy Ramadan" to a jew? Or a Christian? Not me, makes no sense.
That's the old America I grew up in. But try saying "Merry Christmas" to a liberal Jew or a radical Muslim and wait for the glare; or better yet wait for them to wish you "Merry Christmas." You'll be waiting an awful long time.
Yep, that's the reason I don't say it.
So, forgive me, but this is Christmas season and I will say it to anyone and everyone. Partly because it is Christmas season. And partly because Christians have been on the defensive for so long, during their own season, that it's time to turn the tables.
Go ahead, but it makes no sense, and if they look at you quizzically, you will deserve it. Why foist your religion on someone else? It's a Christian holiday, not a holiday for everyone. If they want to celebrate Christ's birth, let them become believers.
You can't make it less secular by making it more secular.
ummmHAHAHA!!! (/evil laugh)
Regarding your sentiments in post 9;, I agree. When I say "Merry Christmas" it is because I am sharing the joy of the season that I truly feel. That reflects the background I come from. If someone doesn't understand that - then that is THEIR problem. The "Happy Hannukah" directed at me will be accepted, joyfully, with a "Thank you - and Happy Hannukah to you!" in reply to that generously-offered greeting.
I find myself saying "Merry Christmas" more often than I used to. Let them glare if they want to.
I have, so far, gotten a smile and a "Merry Christmas" (sometimes surprised), from everybody in return.
While "Merry Christmas" is a Christian tradition. I have seen non-Christians use the term. For example, last Christmas, my Muslim boyfriend and his Jewish friend, shook hands and said "Merry Christmas." Ironic isn't it?
It's not ironic as much as "mission accomplished". Secularization is the goal.
Just wondering, are you going to marry your Muslim boyfriend?
/sarcasm
.........shop 'christian' Boulder?
Christians have finally discovered how much power we have when we stand up and fight evil in HIS name. I wish I was there to participate. God Bless all of those who turn out to show their love for Christ.
"It's not ironic as much as "mission accomplished". Secularization is the goal."
I'm not sure I agree that secularism, in this regard, is good. After all, we wouldn't have Christmas if not for Jesus Christ's birth. People in general don't take every single word they say so seriously, like say the ACLU might think. My point really is that the term "Merry Christmas" doesn't have to be offensive, if you don't let it.
And in answer to your question, we're engaged.
You'll notice that most store clerks have been instructed to say "Happy Holidays." But saying "Merry Christmas" to them first usually elicits a smile, as you said, and sometimes a whispered "Merry Christmas" is reply.
We'll take the country back, one heart at a time.
Congratulations.
But, don't go visit his family in the Middle East.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.