Are your public places allowed to play religious Christmas music?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
November 30, 2008 7:17pm CST
When I lived in Arizona nobody was allowed to play anything except secular Christmas music and it was called Winter Holiday. The children weren't allowed to put on Christmas plays, the stores had to play Jingle Bells and songs like that and nothing religious was allowed in public. If a church put a Nativity scene outside they got sued.
Now I'm in Ohio and it's so nice, the stores all play the old Christmas songs like Silent Night, Little Star of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, etc. Beautiful old songs! And in my little city there are Nativity scenes outside the churches and nobody sues anyone. I feel as if I'm back among the sane people.
If you live in the United States, does your state allow Christmas songs and expressions? Or do you have to keep it non-religious in public?
2 people like this
3 responses
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I'm not really so sure if that's how it is here, in New Jersey. I haven't really noticed yet. Being non-religious myself, I wouldn't be offended or anything. I celebrate Christmas. So either there are hardcore atheists who really don't like it, or people of other religions? I mean, it's a holiday. It's not like brainwash or anything. Maybe it makes those who do not celebrate Christmas have to explain to their kids about it, and the kids get all sad- that's reality for ya!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
The lawsuits I've read explain that people shouldn't be subjected to things that are objectionable to them. Therefore, when atheists are offended by Christmas songs and decorations, or non-Christian religions object, they must be gotten rid of. Not everyone is as live-and-let-live as you and I are!
Church bells are not allowed where I was, either, yet the Mosques can broadcast their calls to worship. That always had me scratching my head. I don't care if they want their call to worship heard, good for them, but to ban church bells?!
The world is screwy. 
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
7 Dec 08
I can't believe I just read that! Really? In Arizona nobody is allowed to publicly show / play anything religious related to Christmas? I assume that the same is true of Easter, and of other non-Christian religious dates too? How ludicrous!
If I were to come across some religious music or scenes relating to a different religion to my own I'd either be interested to find out more, or ignore it. I can't believe that anyone would honestly be offended.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
8 Dec 08
The farther west you go here, the screwier people get. Jewish traditions are barely tolerated in public, Christian displays are forbidden around public buildings, especially government buildings but other religions have free rein. I was offended to hear only secular Christmas songs because I felt as if I were being discriminated against but figured I'd move elsewhere and I did. Now I'm free to practice my religion any way I want without someone suing me. Even Santas in the mall aren't allowed to wish the children Merry Christmas!
I think people are offended because they are looking for ways to be outraged. It would be much better for them to accept "live and let live" than to waste their energies persecuting people. And yes, the same is true of Easter, an art gallery was forced to remove a sculpture of Christ one Easter because it offended people.
The homeowner's associations out there (that dictate what color your house can be, what flowers you can plant, where you can park, etc. in the big developments) even have bylaws that don't let you fly the American flag except on national holidays and in certain heights and configurations.
1 person likes this
@redzredula (466)
• Philippines
1 Dec 08
well, in my country, philippines, we are allowed to play Christmas music on public places. i really like to listen to it. i really like it especially on malls, and i can hear it first thing in the morning from our stereo or my neighbors stereo. if you were here you can feel the essence of christmas.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I love to hear the old carols and religious music of Christmas. It doesn't seem the same without it and I'm so glad to be back where it's allowed to be played! Maybe someday I can visit your country and enjoy your celebration.
1 person likes this
@redzredula (466)
• Philippines
1 Dec 08
i wish you cna come here in my country. for sure, you'll like it here. you can really the essence of christmas especially everyone celebrates it as a family. even your alone, still someone here will cheer you up and celebrate it with you. christmas here is really different.
