I'm so angry!! They removed a nativity scene from public property.  

thats what i think, there's no point dictating others who wants to celebrate, if you donot want to celebrate thats ok with us.

I agree with you guys. If they can't celebrate christmas, they don't have the right to complain because they are not in their country. It's not racism, it is respecting what was the culture or religion of the people in the community or country you are living in.

I think it is unfortunate that we in America are losing part of our culture. The law makers wouldn't stop any other religion from displaying their theme. They are so afraid of our Christian symbols that helped make this country what it is today.

I understand it is about freedom of religion and not having a national religion but I think they carry it to an extreme.

If they already have a Nativity Scene, they may as well display it. Otherwise, the tax money spent on the scene has been wasted.

If they don't have a Hanukkah set, maybe they could get one or have somebody donate one.

Religious tolerance does not mean not showing whatever religious items you have available.

All religions - do you know how many different religions there are? That's not practical.

However, once they show public Christmas scenes in China, Japan and elsewhere, our government should reciprocate. Until then, there's nothing wrong with displaying whatever they already bought.

I would have to say the last solution does make sense. Celebrate all of the holidays associated with the December. The Oakland Museum of California has what they call Winterfest. It is a celebration of all cultural holiday (as we know it). Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzaa and I think there is a winter solstice celebration also around that time. The question seems that it should more about inclusion and education than deprivation. IT's a joyous ocassion.

There is supposed to be separation of church and state. That is the argument at hand. I find it offensive that only one religion is represented, there are other religions in this country. I stand firm on the separation of church and state, any religion should not be represented on public property. I'm a taxpayer also. If there ever comes a time where that separation is gone then all religions should be represented. It's sad I have to go to 8 different stores before I can find Hanukkah decorations, where as for Christmas the decorations are all over the place.

I agree. celebrate all of them. That is okay, but don't single out one and tell them they can't celebrate by taking down the Manger Scene.

debbibet28,

Separation of Church and State was created to keep the government from interfering in faith and religion. The government is not to govern how a religion runs itself. Not the other way around. The statement deems that No Person in Office may tell you what religion to be or what you can celebrate. It also is to keep the State from telling the community they can or cannot practice their religion, unless what the religion is doing is against the law (which this is not).

The statement "Separation of Church and State" does not go as far as saying one's religion cannot be included in their political office or business practices and etc. Therefore it should also be said that it says absolutely NOTHING about whether a person of high standing in the community can post a decoration or symbol stating what exactly they are celebrating this December. The person or business is not telling you how to celebrate, it's telling you how THEY celebrate.

The statement and this situation have absolutely nothing to do with one another.

I'm like you. I celebrate the Santa version, not the bible version. We have a neighbor down the street with a whole shepherd display. It's not my thing, but hey.. it's not my yard. He can do whatever he likes on his lawn. There is nothing wrong with people having different takes on the holidays. It's all about respect!

sylviekitty - that is the thing. It is not in someone yard it is/was on public property.

I really don't think 'where' the symbol is placed should make a difference...

I mean place a nativity scene in the middle of the road, then yes, that effects me. Place it in a park, and really, doesn't effect me at all.

The bigger question is ... Am I paying for that religious symbol that I don't believe in. I think that might be the bigger question underlying the objection.

I would object a 50-metre tall solid-gold jesus statue.. why? Well, someone had to pay for that, and if it's public money, it was public money not well spent. Not because it's a religious symbol per-say, but it's a symbol of any kind that is not commonly shared amongst those who paid for it.

mtbkanata

My husband and I were just discussing this. How do you know that it wasnt someone who works in the community who paid for or donated the nativity? How do you know that it WAS paid for by tax dollars? What if the mayor purchased it with the money in his paycheck? Does that mean he is not free to purchase religious symbols or items with his paycheck, or give to a church, since he is paid by taxdollars?

I stated before that I celebrate both holidays and I think you comment about "Menorah or something" is exactly why so many complain. If you were not so narrow minded about PULIC PROPERTY this issue woud not happen. Again I will say it is stupid for people to complain about what others have on their own propery not on public though.

thats really messed u[

kesfylstra
No need for name calling here... If we have the right to Celebrate a Christ centered Christmas, the Jewish community has the right to celebrate Hanukah, as does ANY other religion celebrate their own holiday.

I see that Godwin's law still applies...

The fact is YOU have not lost the right to celebrate Christmas. If you want to celebrate your holiday, you have the right to do so and to put those displays on YOUR private property. I live in the US and I take issue with any government building or government funded area putting any religious symbol or display up. When my tax dollars are used to endorse a religion other than my own, I have a problem.

Think of it this way. What if it was a pentacle that was put in place of the nativity? Do you think there would be protests then? Would the protesters against the pentacle be any more wrong than those against the nativity? This isn't about people being jerks or facists. It is about the taxes of those that aren't Christians being used to pay for a display that endorses the Christian religion. That is the real issue.