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<p>…except when we say our pledge and mint our pennies? :)</p>
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<p>“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”-Eleanor Roosevelt</p>
<p>HisGrace: because no one that YOU know of complains does not make it right, now does it?</p>
<p>HisGrace, there are plenty of people who do mind. </p>
<p>It’s not so much a matter of feeling inferior as a matter of feeling that they don’t belong.</p>
<p>Hisgracefillsme,</p>
<p>The person you quoted said, “I don’t like being treated like I’m less…”</p>
<p>“Treated”, not “feel.” You might want to read more carefully before dismissing someone’s pov next time.</p>
<p>HisGraceFillsMe, just because I’m capable of rejecting the message of inferiority doesn’t mean it’s okay to send that message. Eleanor Roosevelt certainly didn’t mean that it’s okay to do things that make people feel inferior.</p>
<p>As someone who is jewish, I really have no problem with the christmas tree/ holiday season decorations. I am very entertained by all the different decorations, although the season seems to be getting longer and longer, and while red and green are not a particularly attractive color combo I do enjoy the general happiness of everyone.</p>
<p>I personally don’t feel any “less” because of those celebrating christmas</p>
<p>The whole blue tree thing is very odd to me, sounds like someone who does have a issue with feeling excluded.</p>
<p>“It’s not so much a matter of feeling inferior as a matter of feeling that they don’t belong.”</p>
<p>so true for so long, but for many of us, we have learned to live with what we have been dealing with for decades…not a big deal as long as there is a place where one can feel they do belong…</p>
<p>and yes, I agree with 4Giggles: definitely someone who has an issue with feeling excluded…</p>
<p>I am not a Christian and I don’t particular care for this time of the year. What bothers me more than Christmas trees and more religious displays (I can ignore those) is the bombardment of Christmas music which began in some stores this year just as Halloween ended. Heavy, Christmas music. Why not things like Jingle Bell Rock, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride-those are nice seasonal pieces with which I have no problem. And please don’t tell me to avoid the stores which are playing the music. It’s not possible, even though I try to avoid virtually all shopping at this time of the year because I don’t want to be constantly reminded that I am in the minority because I don’t celebrate Christmas. What should I say when I am constantly wished “Merry Christmas?” It’s not my holiday. I understand that many Christians don’t understand how uncomfortable it is to have another religion pushed at you from so many directions, but please, at least try to understand. I’m honestly not meaning to offend anyone with this post, just trying to let people see that there is another perspective. Please, enjoy the celebration of your holiday. Just understand that it isn’t “everyone’s” holiday.</p>
<p>Really mmof3sons? I do not mind the christmas music, find it festive, but I guess that is just how I view the whole season. </p>
<p>And while our third graders sing for the tree lighting in town, my third graders have not participated as I don’t feel the need for them to sing merry christmas.</p>
<p>While I think people should be sensitive, I guess I’d also have to say that if you’re a member of a minority religion (or have no religion), these things can be an opportunity to ponder about how fortunate you are to live in a country that gives so many legal protections to minority faiths, and where many private entities also at least try to be more inclusive.</p>
<p>4Giggles,
My 16 year olds came home from a cappella practice. They are singing Christmas music (not the light stuff ;)) at a dinner for homeless women and children. It has now been suggested that since they already know the music, that they go out caroling. My kids think that their peers will think that it is “weird” that they object to doing that. They feel uncomfortable and pressured. To us, “caroling” is something that Christians may do to spread cheer for THEIR holiday.</p>
<p>I would agree, that caroling would be odd for non christians, and would be something my family would not participate in. Maybe they could help out at the homeless shelter longer while others went caroling? Maybe you could join them in helping at the shelter and this would make them more “comfortable” not participating in the caroling.</p>
<p>Very odd things happening with posting</p>
<p>Bay, the insertion of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance (written by a socialist:)), and the choice of “In God We Trust” as the motto of the country, are Cold War artifacts (thoughthe latter was used on coins before that). The fact that a bunch of Christian legislators voted on these things has no bearing on whether they reflect the values and freedoms of the country as designed in the Constitution.</p>
<p>Yes, garland, I am aware of the origins of those “artifacts,” but it certainly would not be difficult to eliminate them in order to appease those people who feel that their use makes some citizens feel that they don’t belong.</p>
<p>Btw, here is some info on the Jewish version of Christmas trees, that I found in wikipedia:</p>
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<p>I’m not “Dismissing” anyone’s point of view.</p>
<p>I just find it ridiculous that decorations in a store or in someone’s home can make you feel like everyone is going out of their way to treat you as an inferior. It’s not like everyone is going around thinking, “Hm…how can we make people who don’t celebrate Christmas feel bad today?” They’re enjoying the holiday they celebrate. No one (that I’ve seen) is purposefully trying to hurt anyone’s feelings by celebrating a holiday.</p>
<p>If you don’t like it, that’s your choice and your right. But it’s also my choice and my right to celebrate it and enjoy it, and I don’t think it’s right for others to get upset that I want to celebrate something that’s very important to me.</p>
<p>Now, Christmas trees in public places can be iffy. But really, like I said, they’re not trying to make anyone feel inferior. Stop taking things so personally.</p>
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This is an interesting point. I think it matters how closely the holiday (and its traditions) connect to the religious basis. For example, I don’t think I’ve ever heard people complaining about the Christian origins of Halloween, or objecting that there shouldn’t be Jack O’Laterns in public places (indeed, I’ve only heard Christians complaining about this). Similarly, Thanksgiving has been almost completely secularized. I think it’s really debatable whether the secular elements of Christmas have become so distinct from the religious elements that a Christmas tree is scarcely a religious symbol at all.</p>
<p>We also took the “Saint” out of Valentine’s Day. :)</p>
<p>Edit: This was supposed to show up after Hunt’s post!</p>
<p>Not being Christian, what is the religious significance of the christmas tree? Sorry if that seems ignorant.</p>