Here we go again....The war on Christmas again? Make it go away!

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to federal and state officials, including Arizona Governor Janice Brewer Monday, calling for them to stop enforcing a requirement prohibiting the state’s schoolchildren from expressing religious viewpoints through Christmas themes while decorating ornaments for the 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree. Arizona was chosen this year to present 4,000 handcrafted ornaments made by elementary, middle-school, and high-school students to decorate Washington, D.C.’s annual Christmas tree.

“Banning Christmas from the Capitol Christmas tree is just absurd. Christian students shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their religious beliefs,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “The First Amendment does not allow government officials to exclude schoolchildren’s ornaments for the capitol’s Christmas tree merely because they communicate a religious viewpoint.”

On behalf of a mother whose son strongly desires to submit three ornaments for the tree, ADF attorneys sent a letter to state and federal officials demanding that they abandon the prohibition of religious viewpoints so that the child may participate in the unique opportunity. One of the ornaments will read “Merry Christmas,” another will say “Happy Birthday, Jesus,” and the third will portray a manger scene with the baby Jesus. Each of these ornaments will also honor Arizona, using as a theme the state’s history, geography, or motto, “Ditat Deus,” which means “God Enriches.” ADF attorneys indicate in the letter that they will take legal action if officials do not comply by October 4, the day before the deadline to submit ornaments for consideration.

“It is well established that expression of religious beliefs is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” the letter reads. “Religious expression is speech and is entitled to the same level of protection as other kinds of speech... Even expression that comes through symbols, such as ornaments…”

http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=5079

I was hoping this was all finally dead and gone. I'm sure we'll hear more and more about this as Christmas gets closer. I wonder if Fox News has started screaming about this yet?

I'm no lawyer, but... There's no law prohibiting their kids from making religious ornaments for this. The poor little kids can crank out Christian-themed baubles all damn day if they want and send all of them in.

It's just that htey won't be put on the tree.

Y'see, the just because you have the right to free speech doesn't mean anyone has to listen to what you're saying. Similarly, just because you have the right to paint a cross on a glass ball doesn't mean that anyone is obligated to put it on the tree.

Once again, these mooks confuse having rights with imposing their desires on others

if it were not so pitiful. we keep reminding them that every single aspect of THEIR celebrations have been stolen from us.

and is really a pagan ritual that was assimilated into Christmas. Christians don't seem to understand this. What do they think - there was a pine tree with ornaments in the manger with baby Jesus?

Anyway, I think my point is that a Christmas tree isn't a big deal either way.

It's actually quite funny if you think about it.

Oh ... wait ...

and snow does fall in the higher elevations...

Oh wait, this is a pine tree... not cedar...

:-)

There are just so many kids now that can't participate in the made up consumeristic cultural icon. I don't like the disappointment with the kids.

Who has money for gifts?

Oh shit. There's just not enough hours in the day what with turning all the school kids gay, burning bibles, destroying religion in this country and putting abortion clinics on every street corner. Someone else will have to kill the Christmas season.

Wingers are so fucking stupid and ultra-lame.

at least Dec 1st before I stomp the shit out of my first elf.

DECEMBER 2009
6
Saint Nicholas Day - Christian
8
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) ** - Buddhism
Immaculate Conception - Catholic Christian
12
Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Christian
Advent Fast begins - Orthodox Christian
12-19
Hanukkah * - Jewish
16-Dec 25
Posadas Navidenas - Christian
18
Hijra - New Year * ** - Islam
21 Solstice
Yule - Christian
Yule * - Wicca northern hemisphere
Litha * - Wicca southern hemisphere
25
Christmas * - Christian
26
Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra ** - Zoroastrian
27
Feast of the Holy Family - Catholic Christian
Ashura * - Islam
28
Holy Innocents - Christian
31
Watch Night - Christian
http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2009.htm

I want to start a campaign to celebrate every bloody one of them every time somebody starts with this WOC shit.
I'm sure the Zoroastrian one will give them a turn.

Now I gotta run around to catch up.

Sid