Xmas trees removed from Sea-Tac

[T-Bird76]

[quote=Midnight Mike]

Couldn't the airport have worked with the Rabbi, or local synagogues, to get a suitable menorah for airport display? It seems "silly" the airport couldn't come to a solution on how to represent all religions celebrating during the holiday season...

Christmas has gone beyond any Religous & Christmas Trees do not have an Religous meaning.

By displaying the Menorah, then the Federal Airport would be endorsing a Religion, which is a no-no.[/quote:55af4]

Mike I'm not sure how true that is? Regardless of how commercial Christmas is, the foundations of what the Christmas tree is, is routed in Christian belief. I was at JFK and IAD this weekend and they have both Christmas tree’s and Menorah's up. I don't know why the airport just didn't put up a Menorah. Christianity and Judaism are the two main religions in this country and should be celebrated by our country.

[Midnight Mike]

Mike I'm not sure how true that is? Regardless of how commercial Christmas is, the foundations of what the Christmas tree is, is routed in Christian belief. I was at JFK and IAD this weekend and they have both Christmas tree’s and Menorah's up. I don't know why the airport just didn't put up a Menorah. Christianity and Judaism are the two main religions in this country and should be celebrated by our country.

Well, until the next lawsuit. What is next Kwanzaa? Wiccans? How about a Voodoo Holiday over Christmas?

[T-Bird76]

Mike I'm not sure how true that is? Regardless of how commercial Christmas is, the foundations of what the Christmas tree is, is routed in Christian belief. I was at JFK and IAD this weekend and they have both Christmas tree’s and Menorah's up. I don't know why the airport just didn't put up a Menorah. Christianity and Judaism are the two main religions in this country and should be celebrated by our country.

Well, until the next lawsuit. What is next Kwanzaa? Wiccans? How about a Voodoo Holiday over Christmas?

Well I'll be a little Right wing extremist here, so let the flaming begin. Screw Kwanzaa and other BS holidays that some flaming liberal minority says we have to recognize but they don't even know what it means. Our country was founded on Jewdeo Christian beliefs and values. We need to go back to our roots and get our moral house in order. Put up the Christmas trees!!!!

[RDU-JFK]

Interesting stat I came across, from The Association of Religion Data Archives:

Largest Religious Groups
Christian (84.12%), Jewish (1.92%), Muslim (1.55%), Buddhist (0.91%), Ethnoreligionist (0.39%)

This source provides a bigger breakdown: http://www.thearda.com/internationalDat ... _234_2.asp

The point is that Christian is very much the majority religion in this country. And honestly, how much do the minority groups complain about the need to be politically correct? How many Hindu or Buddhist or Taoist groups complain about Christmas Trees? It is my opinion that it is PC Christians who are so concerned about being sued (in American "sue-ciety") for not showing all faiths. The numbers show that if you put a Menorah up, then we actually should put something up for other faiths, since such a huge majority is Christian.

On a side note, I was watching the Hess commercial last night, and I remember years ago that stupid song said: "...for Christmaaaaas this year...the Hess Truck's Here!" Now, there is no mention of the word Christmas. Just to check, watch the holiday commercials and see actually how few ads mention the word "Christmas". You will be surprised in what you see and hear.

Please note I am not bashing one faith or faiths. I am just bored at work.

[moose135]

What is next Kwanzaa? Wiccans? How about a Voodoo Holiday over Christmas?

Why not? Why should they limit it to Christmas? What about Festivus, for the rest of us :D :D :D

Government shouldn't be in the business of promoting religion, or religious holidays (actually, it's against the law, you know, that pesky thing we call The Constitution). Some generic, non-secular decorations are fine, but let's leave the rest of it to individuals or religious institutions.

BTW, I was raised Catholic, so it's not like I'm offended by religious displays, just that I'm sensitive enough to the feelings of others to know some are offended by such displays.

[hiss srq]

Funny a menorah popped up today at LGA by one of the gates..... It is buried in acorner where it is hard to se and it slightly blocked by a sign..... I am pretty right wing but I do not feel like being flamed.

[Midnight Mike]

Rabbi gets hate mail over airport Christmas trees
Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:18 PM ET

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A local rabbi is receiving hate mail and angry phone calls after Seattle airport officials took down its Christmas trees in response to his request to include a giant Menorah in the airport's holiday decorations, his lawyer said on Monday.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport removed its Christmas trees on Saturday after Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky threatened to sue the Port of Seattle, which operates the airport, if it did not include a menorah into its holiday decorations.

The rabbi works on behalf of Chabad-Lubavitch, a branch of Hasidic Judaism and an Orthodox Jewish movement.

The removal of the trees sparked a public outcry over what some say was political correctness run amok and part of a trend to adopt a secular tone toward Christmas.

Harvey Grad, the rabbi's attorney, said it was never Bogomilsky's intention to have the trees removed and the rabbi was "saddened" by the port's decision to remove all holiday decorations instead of including the Menorah for Hanukkah.

"We are not part of the war on Christmas," said Grad. "All we asked for was inclusion and now we're getting hate mail and angry messages."

The Chabad of Greater Seattle asked the airport to put the trees back and will not pursue any legal action even if the airport does not include the menorah into this year's holiday decorations.

In a statement, the Port of Seattle said it removed the trees to avoid litigation with a religious group, which wanted to install the menorah and hold a lighting ceremony.

"The airport is not a traditional public forum and it would not be appropriate for such a ceremony, so we made the decision to remove the trees to allow the airport staff to focus on the busy travel season," the Port said on its Web site.

[Mellyrose]

WTF!! this is getting to be ridiculous! how much time does that rabbi spend in the airport? why are people so damn scared of doing what they want to do anymore?


i want to buy and island and create my own coutry... who's with me?

What's that supposed to mean? Am I reading you wrong? Does it mean that since he doesn't spend all 8 nights of Hanukkah at the airport that he shouldn't request that the rest of the people who might be travelling during the holiday be able to enjoy the sight of a menorah? How much time does your priest spend in the airport? How much time do you spend in the airport? How many of those business men travelling do you think are JEWISH!?

[hiss srq]

WTF!! this is getting to be ridiculous! how much time does that rabbi spend in the airport? why are people so damn scared of doing what they want to do anymore?


i want to buy and island and create my own coutry... who's with me?

What's that supposed to mean? Am I reading you wrong? Does it mean that since he doesn't spend all 8 nights of Hanukkah at the airport that he shouldn't request that the rest of the people who might be travelling during the holiday be able to enjoy the sight of a menorah? How much time does your priest spend in the airport? How much time do you spend in the airport? How many of those business men travelling do you think are JEWISH!?

Well you might notice that in fact a good deal of airports have chapels in them actually giving a hint as to the fact that there is a preist constantly at alot of airports. Actually all airports probably as fire departments alot of times keep one on staff .

[T-Bird76]

I was listening to O'Riely last night and he had the Rabbi on and he said he has no problem with the Christmas Tree's but feels a Menorah should have been put up as well, I do agree with him. As I stated above our country was founded on Jewdeo Christian beliefs and therefore put up a Menorah and put back the Xmas Trees.

The Rabbi even said he would buy one for the airport. The officials at SeaTac made a hip jerk reaction and screwed up BIG TIME. If they were smart which it appears they aren't they'd save face and put the tree's back up along with a Menorah. No reason for the Rabbi to get hate mail like that.

[Mellyrose]

WTF!! this is getting to be ridiculous! how much time does that rabbi spend in the airport? why are people so damn scared of doing what they want to do anymore?


i want to buy and island and create my own coutry... who's with me?

What's that supposed to mean? Am I reading you wrong? Does it mean that since he doesn't spend all 8 nights of Hanukkah at the airport that he shouldn't request that the rest of the people who might be travelling during the holiday be able to enjoy the sight of a menorah? How much time does your priest spend in the airport? How much time do you spend in the airport? How many of those business men travelling do you think are JEWISH!?

Well you might notice that in fact a good deal of airports have chapels in them actually giving a hint as to the fact that there is a preist constantly at alot of airports. Actually all airports probably as fire departments alot of times keep one on staff .

Wow hiss, miss my point much?

[Tom_Turner]

Well, someone is not telling the truth,.,or possibly the reporter got it wrong??

<<A local rabbi wanted to install an 8-foot menorah and have a public lighting ceremony. He threatened to sue if the menorah wasn’t put up, and gave a two-day deadline to remove the trees.>>

I have no problem with the Menorah going up...at all...But its worth pointing out, we were probably talking about some plastic pine trees, with fabric ornaments of green and red. Yes, its because of CHRISTMAS...but hardly a nativity scene...

If the New York Board of Education can have numerous Jewish Holidays - notwithstanding notions of "The Constitution" and senators continue to get sworn in on bibles (and Korans) I fail to see why the airport can't ...blah blah blah..oh well... All Seatle needs now is to hire BA's Willie Walsh to explain the Airport's decor policy allows plants but has a "no candles" edict and to explain that to the Rabbi.... :) Ho Ho Ho....tis the season..

Tom

[Derf]

......which wanted to install the menorah and hold
a lighting ceremony.

"The airport is not a traditional public forum and it would not be
appropriate for such a ceremony, so we made the decision to remove the
trees to allow the airport staff to focus on the busy travel season," the
Port said on its Web site.

This sounds LOGICAL....airport does not want a bunch of people holding a
CEREMONY during the busiest time of the year. I do not think anyone in
their right mind would want to take down all the Christmas trees when
putting a menorah up would solve the issue. The rabbi wanted a
CEREMONY in DECEMBER, in a busy airport. Good decision and next year
put up menorah's with the Christmas tree setups. People stranded
during the holidays would appreciate it.

[Tom_Turner]

You're 100% right Derf... It does sound logical.

A bit off topic....Is Seatac run by one of those airport "authorities" or is it directly run by the city or state?

This incident does put me in mind of many occasions since 911 (and a few before) when airport authorities' decisions were seen to be UNquestionable in each and every instance... (i.e.: Massport, Port Authority, etc...) I believe the line of thinking goes -

Its "private" property,
its "their airport" and
"they can do whatever they want".

Funny though, isn't it then, how quickly steps are taken to avoid throwing the dice in court....

Tom

[hiss srq]

I think that it is a big joke that this is even an issue. The need for a public service is non existant in an airport for somthing like that. Like I said before there is time and place for everything but can you imagine if on Sunday morning at ORD the Catholic church decided they needed to have a service that required a procession through one of the major concorses...... Well same principle there to this menorah and tree at same time great..... menorah tree and lighting service every night.... oye veigh!!! headaches galore!