Another incident at Sea-Tac resulted in the removal of a tree
TheStar.com – Tree should stand: Premier — I always thought that the politically correct so-called “War on Christmas” was a dopey construct largely developed by Bill O’Reilly. But everytime I think that “nobody is THAT stupid” something like this comes along. What is wrong with these people? It’s a friggin’ tree! Exactly who is offended?
Premier Dalton McGuinty says it’s “unfortunate” that a Toronto judge banished a Christmas tree from the lobby of a downtown courthouse this week.
“I think it represents a misunderstanding of what we are working so hard to build here in Ontario,” McGuinty said today, noting Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and other faiths’ celebrations are marked at Queen’s Park.
“We enjoy the wonderful privilege of building a pluralistic, multicultural society,” he said, adding no one should be “asked to abandon their traditions.”
“What we’re saying is let’s share in those opportunities. Let’s better understand those celebrations,” he said.
Justice Marion Cohen who oversees administration for the Ontario Court of Justice at 311 Jarvis St., ordered a small artificial Christmas tree, decked out in lights and ornaments, moved to an administrative corridor on Monday. In a letter to staff, she said it is a Christian symbol that might alienate people of other creeds and cultures.
thanks to Mister Justin for finding this item
Now this tree, on the other hand, should be banned everywhere
Everyone knows that the ‘tree’ is the trus spirit of Christmas!
OK, how about the Stanford ‘tree’? Now that’s offensive!
make that true spirit…
The irony is that the tree is actually a pagan symbol that was adopted by Christians as part of the celebration.
Clueless Judge!
Oh Christ.
I think the clue is in the Judges name… “Cohen”. Im quite disturbed by this. I live in England and the same stuff is happening here. Christmas decorations in the city of Manchester have been in some way neutered to be non descript, non denominational and “non offensive” in inverted commas.
Christmas cards on sale now say “Winter Wishes” instead of “happy or Merry Christmas” what the heck are winter wishes?
What the sweet bejezuz is going on? Im not particularly religious but if Christmas is an opportunity for people to think of others for once in the year then its a good thing. Im not offended by Muslims celebrating Eid, or Jews celebrating Hanukkah so why the hell should we water down Christmas so as not to offend other faiths… its half baked!
These insidious people need to get a grip!
who exactly was offended??? apparently the levite judge cohen.
I may also point out that the store “Marks & Spencer” that sells the “winter wishes” cards is also levite.
I am offended at the removal of this tree! Who is going to appease my right to not be offended! Don’t make me file a lawsuit!
Steve
If more people had the nads to say in an un “Dipshit” way, “Dipshit Judge”, for an unintentional offence; our freedom of speech would actually matter.
In this case, it can’t be said better, “Dipshit Judge” indeed.
It seems in western civilization, too many are self neutered baboons, bowing to the “offended”. However, on the other extreme, hot headed redneck is just as bad.
What ever happened to a polite compromise.
#6, Winter Wishes are for snow that lands on the lawn and NOT on the drive or sidewalk. They may also include that the January thaw starts December 26 and goes until the end of March with the temperature between 32 F (0 C) to 50 F (10 C).
That Judge is getting a LOT of flack up here. Notably, Jews are calling the radio stations (hot topic on talk radio) and calling the action ridiculous.
Ok people
The biggest part of the problem Christians pushing their religion onto other people and trying to claim things they stole as exclusively Christian.
“Christmas” trees like many things around this time of year are stolen from ancient cultures. It was used to keep away evil spirits and other bad things during the solstice. The use of pine and fir trees and other “green” foliage dates back long before Christ. It does not belong just to the followers of Christ.
This raises two issues.
1. Nobody should be banning trees for religious reasons.
2. BUT…….No one should be claiming trees or this seasonal holiday as theirs!
This time of year does not belong to JUST the Christians. It is not exclusivly a “Christian” holiday. If anything they stole it’s calendar placement from the pagans and Egyptians. What is wrong with people? Why can’t the winter solstice be just that the winter solstice? Why do people have to run around saying it is MY holiday?
BUT
If someone wishes you a Merry Christmas just STFU and say happy holidays. Accept it for what it is, good tidings. Not all Christians push their religion on purpose.
Please remember this is Ontario(for the uninformed, this is the centre of the universe). The rest of Canada wishes that Quebec would leave and take Ontario with them.
If organised cults(oooops I meant religion) were banned, this kind of crap would go away. Let’s ban churches, temples mosques etc. If the groups constructing these huge gross edifices to some imagined “guy in the sky” put their money where their mouth is they might actually make a difference.
Although I don’t think anything like that will happen it’s a nice fantasy. If that is the case all holidays, symbols etc related to religion should be outlawed. Keep religion to yourself and keep it at home.
P.S – If a a tree symbolising peace, tolerance and goodwill offends you, get the [edited: comments guide]
As an interesting aside, the Old Toronto Courts at Queen and Bay (it’s a really beautiful old courthouse, regardless of the terrible cases inside) always has a Christmas tree and a Menorah outside it’s entrance. The Menorah also comes with a nice plaque indicating it’s beneficiary. Justice Cohen doesn’t seem to have a problem with that. Anyhoo, it’s just another PC attack against a symbol that has as much to do with Jesus Christ as wrapping a gift and Santy Claus.
Sheesh… Can you even link the birth of Jesus with Christmas anymore? Last time I looked at the major television network Christmas line up, there are ZERO programs about J.C. and 25 about Santy and his little elves. Ok, maybe two about family reunification… but that’s as moral as it gets!
15.
Your P.S had so much irony, I just didn’t know what to think! And real irony at that! Good job!
This story makes as much sense as banning Santa Claus for being a religious symbol.
Oh, wait…that already happened…
When are we going to have some common sense and seperate Secular Christmas from Religious Christmas?
#18 – Rename it “Potlatch” after the give-your-stuff-away festivals of those Washington State native Americans. That name would be more accurate, it would separate the secular/commercial from the religious, O’Reilly would have something else to fume about, and the really celebratory would “latch” onto the first syllable for their party themes. Christ is out of the malls and back in churches, Cohen’s placated and everybody’s happy.
I guess no one actually read the article. And I doubt many actually understand the City of Toronto.
About half of the city is made up of immigrants. Most of these immigrants are not coming from “christian” countries, but from east Asia and Africa. The Court House in question serves the eastern side of central Toronto, an area not known for the wealth of its inhabitants. If I recall, 311 Jarvis is a Family and Juvenile Court.
While the majority of migrants to Canada accept Christmas, not all do. When the Chief Judge wants everyone to feel welcome, she probably did the right thing, at least in her mind. Canada goes out of its way to welcome immigrants and their cultures.
I don’t agree with her decision, but I understand she isn’t being malicious or mean spirited. Many of the comments above however, I can’t say the same for. Out of blind ignorance they have made her out to be something she probably isn’t.
#16, Named, The Court House you mention is not only beautiful, it is called “Old City Hall” because it was Toronto’s City Hall until they built the two towers in the ’60s. They don’t build them like they used to.
#20 Mr. Fusion
The big problem is the misunderstanding that the “Christmas” tree is somehow “Christian”. It isn’t. It comes from long ago dead religions. It would be like banning Greek sculptures because they are based on Greek mythology. I blame the right wing Christians for this misunderstanding. In their arrogance and insistence that all things “holiday” belong exclusively to them they have ruined a wonderful celebration, winter solstice, for all of us.
There is no need for anyone Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, Christian, Daoists, or Atheist to be offended. Just because the Christians claim it is “theirs” does not make it so.
Fusion,
Yeah, that’s the name of it… To think I’ve been living in Downtown Toronto for 20 years, I’d remember that! Of course, I’ve only been in there as a witness (I won a civilian citation for it – kids don’t try it though) and as a defendant in a speeding violation.
As an aside, you’d be surprised at how many Torontonians would stare blankly if you ask them where the Tower is.
311 Jarvis is the juvie hall. And a great hangout for dealers and prostitutes.
I love the aroma of coniferous balsam at this time of year, and don’t care a whit what cultural origin it’s supposed to signify. They could put a six pointed star on the top of a tree made of the stuff, too, or a pentagram for Wickens and Quaanza gifts underneath as well.. whatever. Just pass the eggnog, please.
(but watch out for those highway patrol guys and their checkpoints if you have to drive anywhere afterwards…)
I think you are all completely ignorant
first of all … the media has dipicted this situation completely wrong
take it from somone who knows
secondly who are you all to judge and make anti-semitic comments
canada is a culture based on diversity
not assimilitation
so cut the shit
Mr. Dvorak, your insensitivity and baseless personal attack leaves me speechless. Why should the noble Fir be banned anywhere? And is it me personally, or all Pinus sylvestris as a group that have earned your wrath? Please reconsider your words and look inward. Perhaps the source of your xenophobia toward the majestic Fir tree is a reflection of problems in your own life. If so, I am sorry for your pain.
In fact, please accept my offer of a branch of peace and visit my own non-commercial blog — http://firtravel.blogspot.com/ — where my writings on the Fir lifestyle show clearly that while we may stand quietly, we stand in friendship and respect of humans and trees.
What I find ironic about this Christmas tree brouhaha is that as a practising Christian I’ve never had a Christmas tree whereas Russian journalist Cathy Young, a self-described Jewish agnostic, wrote once that she’s always put up such a tree during the holiday season.
By the way, some of our public buildings put up a menorah at Chanauka. This doesn’t bother me in the least, even though the menora is much more of a religious symbol than a Christmas tree is.
Yes, I think the “war on Christmas” hysteria can be just that, hysteria, but people like Judge Cohen give the allegation further ammunition.