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But from what I gather, you not only want to ban Christmas lights from the
county courthouse but from any other place other than a Christian's home. Why
are lights up everywhere at this time? Because they're pretty to look at. I
always plan an evening in San Francisco with my son and we go around looking
at the Union Square shop windows and then drive around looking at all the
lights in the City. The Haight area is especially lovely with those old
Victorians lit up and there's one house on 21st Street in Noe Valley which is
decorated like FAO Schwarz. One of the neatest decorations was at the 101
California Building where huge ornaments -- and I mean 10ft at least -- hung
from the ceilings. Not to mention the tree at Neiman Marcus, draped with 3ft
cable cars. For-profit enterprises spend more money on Christmas decorations
and add that extra splendor. I enjoy all these things and so does my son. What fuels your outrage, Naomi? I really want to know. Do you really think
your daughter is going to assimilate more because she colors pictures of
Santa than that she is living in an area that has so few Jews that you can't
even form a Jewish preschool? Even the most devout Christians don't see the
baby Jesus in every poinsettia plant or red suit which crosses their path.
And I know SOME Jews who treat people very poorly but know it's all gravy
because they're religiously observant and born as the Chosen people. I don't
understand your point. I'll repeat myself: it doesn't matter one bit to me
what anyone believes: I judge people by how they treat others. Period. My son had his preschool Holiday party three days ago. Santa came to visit
and he got to ask Santa for his rainbow rock. Ah, if you could have seen the
excitement and anticipation as he waited his turn. And I was thrilled to
have a visit from Santa that didn't require a $10 mall charge to go along
with it. Before Santa arrived, the children sang Christmas songs and one
Hanukkah song, one Kwanza song. All the kids got stockings with pinwheels,
candy canes, dreidels, Santa coloring books, snowmen, teddy bears, pencils,
and a dragon toothbrush. The kids had a great time and I know two of them
are Jewish. Both of their mothers were there and were having fun as well. So why do teachers have kids color Santa in school? Because it is an image
which excites and motivates those children who believe in Santa. And it is a
pleasure to see the joy, excitement and wonder on these wee one's faces as
they look at gigantic Christmas trees and big buildings all lit up and jolly
fat men who are there to grant their utmost wish. What is wrong with that?
And you would rain on the parade of 19 kids at your preschool for your one.
Sometimes the needs of the many should come before the needs of the few. If
you told me that any of these things you wish to obliterate was endangering
your life or property or livelihood, I'm all there for you. But if you are
outrageously annoyed because you want anything which reminds you of
Christianity eliminated from the schools, then you have lost me as a
supporter. |
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Meaning that *I* have to pay more for the goods I buy from those 'for
profit' organizations, so THEY will have enough extra cash on hand to pay
for those grand displays. (Not to mention the electric bills they entail.) First Bank of Podunk wants
to use his/her money to decorate their business places. Sure. That's fine. (Though I prefer tasteful decorations to some of the gaudy junk I see, but
that's just good taste rather than any religious feelings on the topic.) I enjoy all these things and so does my son. And so do I. So why NOT have them up year round so we can enjoy their
beauty 365 nights a year?
Well, first of all, I don't think 'outrage' quite describes my feelings.
Lets see... first I thought Christmas trees were 'disgusting'. Then I was
accused to trying to sheild my child from ever knowing that other
religions even exist. Now I am 'outraged' at seeing Christmas lights in
the local mall.
Yes, I am outraged at Shaina being forced to make tree ornaments in her
second-grade class in a public school. But the rest is more annoyance
and irritation than outrage. I really want to know. Do you really think
Well, yes, actually. I think that she gets plenty of Jewish identity at
her synagogue and religious school, and in her home. But yes, by being
made to feel left out, by being made to feel that the Christians get all
this cool stuff (decorated trees, lights, santa bringing them presents)
while she does not (and getting a a lot of OTHER things doesn't help much
when you're sitting in a classroom trying to decide if you should tell the
teacher who is assigning the 'ornament' project that you are Jewish and
would rather NOT do that...), by being told by otherwise intelligent
adults (like those who post here) that Santa Claus has nothing to do with
religion or Christmas, so she shouldn't worry about particating in such
projects.
No, I don't see Jesus. I DO see Christmas, which is (for the 40th time) a
CHRISTIAN holiday. I am NOT Christian. My daughter is NOT Christian. So
WHY, in the name of whatever deity YOU happen to believe in, must I
particpiate in that holiday in any way, shape or form that *I* am not
comfortable with? (And *I* should be the one to decide where my comfort
boundary lies, not YOU, not Shaina's teachers, and not the guy at the
quick-lube yesterday who cheerfully asked me if I was ready for Christmas
and, when I unoffensively and quietly (and equally cheerfully) said that
we don't do Christmas, but I'm enjoying my days off from work, got the
most baffled look on his face, and couldn't even get it together enough to
wish me a happy New Year...)
As do I, as much as I am able. So why then is it ok for ME to be
mistreated by being told I am wrong for feeling that certain holidays are
not mine, and are holidays that I do not want to celebrate. |
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