Since when is a "Christmas Tree" a "Religious Symbol"

[DrLeftover]

The Menorah? Yes, it is religious and part of a religious ceremony commemorating an historic event and miracle.



The Tree? It's pagan.

Residents in a Newhall senior apartment complex are protesting an order from management to remove their beloved Christmas tree from the community room because, they were told, it's a religious symbol.



On Tuesday, Tarzana-based JB Partners Group Inc. sent a memo to staff at The Willows senior apartment building demanding they take down Christmas trees and menorahs in communal areas.

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22133907/seniors-decry-ban-christmas-tree-their-complex-newhall

 

[Jazzy]

The company has owned The Willows for four years, but this is the first time it's given such a directive to staff.

If they were allowed to do this for four years, then why are they thinking this year is any different? I say the owners should give a directive to the staff that all staff who works on Christmas will NOT be paid overtime. See how fast the staff would agree with the residents then. Also, if it's not in their lease that they cannot have a Christmas tree, they cannot force these people to take it down. This is all some seniors have to make their dull and bleak existence a merry one. I say say leave them the heck alone!

 

[Evil Eye]

Next step: No five-pointed stars, no male/female symbols... Most things have probably been religious symbols at some point.

The Tree? It's pagan.

So it's a religious symbol.

 

[DrLeftover]

Technically, yes, but 'Paganism' is an approved religion to decorate for.



Please bring forward people's exhibit 2: Halloween.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

Where I work we are not permitted to put up banners that say Merry Christmas. Instead, banners that say Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays are acceptable. Why can't it be the case here? If nativity scenes and the like are considered insensitive, then why can't Christmas trees be the alternative? I've never heard of anyone getting offended by a Christmas tree. The Supreme Court already ruled that Christmas trees are not religious symbols, it's a decoration.

 

[Evil Eye]

It's a shame people make such a fuss for nothing...

The Supreme Court already ruled that Christmas trees are not religious symbols, it's a decoration.

...

They had nothing better to do?

 

[Evil Eye]

Are people going to go after that next? :-/

I think that might be hard given that coloured lights are still used when it isn't Christmas.

 

[Raven]

The tree is pagan



The tree is the one symbol that unites almost all the northern European winter solstices. Live evergreen trees were often brought into homes during the harsh winters as a reminder to inhabitants that soon their crops would grow again.



Santa is Pagan (Odin)

The idea of santa on his reindeers and gifts are pagan

Yule log & the feast is pagan

The date 25th is pagan

Holly symbol & mistletoe is pagan



And it's not just 'christmas', - Halloween, Easter, May Day