Boston renames Christmas tree "Holiday tree".

[DragonMasterAlex]

I'm glad we live in a world where there are no more pressing matters to be worried about than what NAME we give to a FVCKING SHRUB!!!!

Just one more reminder of the INFINITE stupidity and pettiness of mankind.

Jason

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Chadder007

Originally posted by: pontifex
isn't falwell the guy who said the teletubbies were gay (like homosexual gay) or something?

yeah, like we should listen to anything that retard has to say...
and why anyone cares what he says is beyond me.

Umm...the Teletubbies creator admitted that one of them was considered "gay"

was that before or after falwell called them gay?
isn't he one of the people that said spongebob squarepants was gay too?

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: Chadder007

Originally posted by: pontifex
isn't falwell the guy who said the teletubbies were gay (like homosexual gay) or something?

yeah, like we should listen to anything that retard has to say...
and why anyone cares what he says is beyond me.

Umm...the Teletubbies creator admitted that one of them was considered "gay"

was that before or after falwell called them gay?
isn't he one of the people that said spongebob squarepants was gay too?

We always called all of them gay.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex
I'm glad we live in a world where there are no more pressing matters to be worried about than what NAME we give to a FVCKING SHRUB!!!!

Just one more reminder of the INFINITE stupidity and pettiness of mankind.

Jason

Small things add up, it's not petty in the least. Starting small is often the easiest way of going about achieving a larger goal. Did Bush mandate bible classes in public schools? No - it would have caused an uproar. So he started with something small - "ID".

 

[DAGTA]

I just noticed that I can download "O Christmas Tree" as a ringtone for my phone. I might just do that and set it as the ringer. 🙂

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
I just noticed that I can download "O Christmas Tree" as a ringtone for my phone. I might just do that and set it as the ringer. 🙂

Do your co-workers, friends, family, and random citizens a favor. Turn that sh1t on vibrate!

 

[DeeKnow]

what a bunch of politically-correct wankers..... jeeeeeezus

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I'm Jewish and I don't care if Christians celebrate Christmas, call Christmas trees Christmas trees or whatever else makes them happy. WTF is this?
Text

BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston set off a furor this week when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a "holiday tree" instead of a "Christmas tree."

The move drew an angry response from Christian conservatives, including evangelist Jerry Falwell who heckled Boston officials and pressed the city to change the name back.

"There's been a concerted effort to steal Christmas," Falwell told Fox Television.

The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot (14-meter) tree was indignant and said he would not have donated the tree if he had known of the name change.

"I'd have cut it down and put it through the chipper," Donnie Hatt told a Canadian newspaper. "If they decide it should be a holiday tree, I'll tell them to send it back. If it was a holiday tree, you might as well put it up at Easter."

Falwell and the conservative Liberty Counsel led a campaign that threatened to sue anyone who spreads what they see as misinformation about Christmas celebrations in public spaces.

The controversy reflects the legal vulnerability of city and state governments over taxpayer-funded displays of religious icons and concern over crossing the line in the separation between church and state.

Last year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lit what he called a "Christmas tree" at a state ceremony. The year before, he and former California Gov. Gray Davis presided over ceremonies for the more secular "holiday trees."

In Boston, many residents voiced their dismay over the Web site that promotes a December 1 ceremony for "Boston's Official Holiday Tree Lighting."

Christmas has become too politically correct, said 64 percent of people who responded to an online poll by a CBS television affiliate in Boston.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said he would keep calling the Nova Scotia spruce a "Christmas tree" regardless of what it said on the city's official Web site.

"I grew up with a Christmas tree, I'm going to stay with a Christmas tree," Menino told reporters on Thursday.

But the controversy cast a pall over a long-standing tradition between Boston and Canada. Nova Scotia donates a tree each year to Boston in gratitude for the city's help after an explosion killed about 1,900 people and injured 4,000 others in Halifax in 1917.

Do you know why Nova Scotia sent the tree to Boston in the first place?

 

[imported_TDOG]

Ok I would love to find one person that is actually offended by a Christmas tree and if they are so what, they don't have to look at the darn thing. We are a democracy, the last time I checked and the majority rule. The majority celebrate Christmas period. I'm sick of this BS put up the darn tree, say Merry Christmas where you work, and play Christmas songs on the radio. If you don't like it don't participate, don't ruin the season for the majority of us.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I'm Jewish and I don't care if Christians celebrate Christmas, call Christmas trees Christmas trees or whatever else makes them happy. WTF is this?
Text

BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston set off a furor this week when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a "holiday tree" instead of a "Christmas tree."

The move drew an angry response from Christian conservatives, including evangelist Jerry Falwell who heckled Boston officials and pressed the city to change the name back.

"There's been a concerted effort to steal Christmas," Falwell told Fox Television.

The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot (14-meter) tree was indignant and said he would not have donated the tree if he had known of the name change.

"I'd have cut it down and put it through the chipper," Donnie Hatt told a Canadian newspaper. "If they decide it should be a holiday tree, I'll tell them to send it back. If it was a holiday tree, you might as well put it up at Easter."

Falwell and the conservative Liberty Counsel led a campaign that threatened to sue anyone who spreads what they see as misinformation about Christmas celebrations in public spaces.

The controversy reflects the legal vulnerability of city and state governments over taxpayer-funded displays of religious icons and concern over crossing the line in the separation between church and state.

Last year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lit what he called a "Christmas tree" at a state ceremony. The year before, he and former California Gov. Gray Davis presided over ceremonies for the more secular "holiday trees."

In Boston, many residents voiced their dismay over the Web site that promotes a December 1 ceremony for "Boston's Official Holiday Tree Lighting."

Christmas has become too politically correct, said 64 percent of people who responded to an online poll by a CBS television affiliate in Boston.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said he would keep calling the Nova Scotia spruce a "Christmas tree" regardless of what it said on the city's official Web site.

"I grew up with a Christmas tree, I'm going to stay with a Christmas tree," Menino told reporters on Thursday.

But the controversy cast a pall over a long-standing tradition between Boston and Canada. Nova Scotia donates a tree each year to Boston in gratitude for the city's help after an explosion killed about 1,900 people and injured 4,000 others in Halifax in 1917.

Do you know why Nova Scotia sent the tree to Boston in the first place?

Read the last line of the article again.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I'm Jewish and I don't care if Christians celebrate Christmas, call Christmas trees Christmas trees or whatever else makes them happy. WTF is this?
Text

BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston set off a furor this week when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a "holiday tree" instead of a "Christmas tree."

The move drew an angry response from Christian conservatives, including evangelist Jerry Falwell who heckled Boston officials and pressed the city to change the name back.

"There's been a concerted effort to steal Christmas," Falwell told Fox Television.

The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot (14-meter) tree was indignant and said he would not have donated the tree if he had known of the name change.

"I'd have cut it down and put it through the chipper," Donnie Hatt told a Canadian newspaper. "If they decide it should be a holiday tree, I'll tell them to send it back. If it was a holiday tree, you might as well put it up at Easter."

Falwell and the conservative Liberty Counsel led a campaign that threatened to sue anyone who spreads what they see as misinformation about Christmas celebrations in public spaces.

The controversy reflects the legal vulnerability of city and state governments over taxpayer-funded displays of religious icons and concern over crossing the line in the separation between church and state.

Last year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lit what he called a "Christmas tree" at a state ceremony. The year before, he and former California Gov. Gray Davis presided over ceremonies for the more secular "holiday trees."

In Boston, many residents voiced their dismay over the Web site that promotes a December 1 ceremony for "Boston's Official Holiday Tree Lighting."

Christmas has become too politically correct, said 64 percent of people who responded to an online poll by a CBS television affiliate in Boston.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said he would keep calling the Nova Scotia spruce a "Christmas tree" regardless of what it said on the city's official Web site.

"I grew up with a Christmas tree, I'm going to stay with a Christmas tree," Menino told reporters on Thursday.

But the controversy cast a pall over a long-standing tradition between Boston and Canada. Nova Scotia donates a tree each year to Boston in gratitude for the city's help after an explosion killed about 1,900 people and injured 4,000 others in Halifax in 1917.

Do you know why Nova Scotia sent the tree to Boston in the first place?

Read the last line of the article again.

I missed it the first time I read it.

😱

 

[Mickey Eye]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I'm Jewish and I don't care if Christians celebrate Christmas, call Christmas trees Christmas trees or whatever else makes them happy. WTF is this?
Text

BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston set off a furor this week when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a "holiday tree" instead of a "Christmas tree."

The move drew an angry response from Christian conservatives, including evangelist Jerry Falwell who heckled Boston officials and pressed the city to change the name back.

"There's been a concerted effort to steal Christmas," Falwell told Fox Television.

The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot (14-meter) tree was indignant and said he would not have donated the tree if he had known of the name change.

"I'd have cut it down and put it through the chipper," Donnie Hatt told a Canadian newspaper. "If they decide it should be a holiday tree, I'll tell them to send it back. If it was a holiday tree, you might as well put it up at Easter."

Falwell and the conservative Liberty Counsel led a campaign that threatened to sue anyone who spreads what they see as misinformation about Christmas celebrations in public spaces.

The controversy reflects the legal vulnerability of city and state governments over taxpayer-funded displays of religious icons and concern over crossing the line in the separation between church and state.

Last year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lit what he called a "Christmas tree" at a state ceremony. The year before, he and former California Gov. Gray Davis presided over ceremonies for the more secular "holiday trees."

In Boston, many residents voiced their dismay over the Web site that promotes a December 1 ceremony for "Boston's Official Holiday Tree Lighting."

Christmas has become too politically correct, said 64 percent of people who responded to an online poll by a CBS television affiliate in Boston.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said he would keep calling the Nova Scotia spruce a "Christmas tree" regardless of what it said on the city's official Web site.

"I grew up with a Christmas tree, I'm going to stay with a Christmas tree," Menino told reporters on Thursday.

But the controversy cast a pall over a long-standing tradition between Boston and Canada. Nova Scotia donates a tree each year to Boston in gratitude for the city's help after an explosion killed about 1,900 people and injured 4,000 others in Halifax in 1917.

Do you know why Nova Scotia sent the tree to Boston in the first place?

Read the last line of the article again.

I missed it the first time I read it.

😱

Was that the Mont-Blanc?

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Mickey Eye

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I'm Jewish and I don't care if Christians celebrate Christmas, call Christmas trees Christmas trees or whatever else makes them happy. WTF is this?
Text

BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston set off a furor this week when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a "holiday tree" instead of a "Christmas tree."

The move drew an angry response from Christian conservatives, including evangelist Jerry Falwell who heckled Boston officials and pressed the city to change the name back.

"There's been a concerted effort to steal Christmas," Falwell told Fox Television.

The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot (14-meter) tree was indignant and said he would not have donated the tree if he had known of the name change.

"I'd have cut it down and put it through the chipper," Donnie Hatt told a Canadian newspaper. "If they decide it should be a holiday tree, I'll tell them to send it back. If it was a holiday tree, you might as well put it up at Easter."

Falwell and the conservative Liberty Counsel led a campaign that threatened to sue anyone who spreads what they see as misinformation about Christmas celebrations in public spaces.

The controversy reflects the legal vulnerability of city and state governments over taxpayer-funded displays of religious icons and concern over crossing the line in the separation between church and state.

Last year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lit what he called a "Christmas tree" at a state ceremony. The year before, he and former California Gov. Gray Davis presided over ceremonies for the more secular "holiday trees."

In Boston, many residents voiced their dismay over the Web site that promotes a December 1 ceremony for "Boston's Official Holiday Tree Lighting."

Christmas has become too politically correct, said 64 percent of people who responded to an online poll by a CBS television affiliate in Boston.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said he would keep calling the Nova Scotia spruce a "Christmas tree" regardless of what it said on the city's official Web site.

"I grew up with a Christmas tree, I'm going to stay with a Christmas tree," Menino told reporters on Thursday.

But the controversy cast a pall over a long-standing tradition between Boston and Canada. Nova Scotia donates a tree each year to Boston in gratitude for the city's help after an explosion killed about 1,900 people and injured 4,000 others in Halifax in 1917.

Do you know why Nova Scotia sent the tree to Boston in the first place?

Read the last line of the article again.

I missed it the first time I read it.

😱

Was that the Mont-Blanc?

Yes and the Emo.

Crash, burn, Kaboom!!!!!

Very sad thing indeed.

 

[OdiN]

Twas the night before a non-denominational winter holiday...

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: OdiN
Twas the night before a non-denominational winter holiday...

And all through the domicile...

On a serious note, christians have it so good in this country... Only one of them will ever be elected president. The current president is pushing their religion in public schools. Their religious holidays are national holidays, it's part of our pledge of allegiance and on our currency, and their houses of worship get huge tax cuts.

The reason I'm getting such a kick out of this is that they have the nerve to complain when a little beloved patriot appears in their armor - armor which, btw, is becoming far stronger under the current administration. Not at all unlike the RIAA screaming bloody murder about being able to steal slightly less money from musical artists and gullible children. I guess too much really is never enough. They have no problem with their beliefs being plastered all over the fabric of a supposedly free nation, but would be in an uproar if it were another belief system. Can you imagine if currency were changed to say "In Science We Trust"? :laugh:

Anyway, I mean no offense, and I can only laugh at the situation... Just trying to explain the PoV to the fundies in this thread.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: TDOG
Ok I would love to find one person that is actually offended by a Christmas tree and if they are so what, they don't have to look at the darn thing. We are a democracy, the last time I checked and the majority rule. The majority celebrate Christmas period. I'm sick of this BS put up the darn tree, say Merry Christmas where you work, and play Christmas songs on the radio. If you don't like it don't participate, don't ruin the season for the majority of us.

We're actually a Constitutional Republic.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: RBachman
Anyway, I mean no offense, and I can only laugh at the situation... Just trying to explain the PoV to the fundies in this thread.

You mean the same fundies who refused the holiday in the first place?

But the custom spread slowly. The Puritans banned Christmas in New England. Even as late as 1851, a Cleveland minister nearly lost his job because he allowed a tree in his church. Schools in Boston stayed open on Christmas Day through 1870, and sometimes expelled students who stayed home.

Aaaah, the irony. First they ban it, then they cling to it. Always 2 steps behind, it's the religious way.

 

[kitkat22]

You know I love the Christmas season for several reasons; people are generally kinder to each other, we spend more time with friends and family, we have a bit of fun, we take time to relax and enjoy the snow, we do the things that normally aren't done any other time of the year because we are with friends and family. Those first two are great reasons to keep celebrating Christmas. I buy Christmas trees and I buy presents because it is tradition. When it is Hannukah I will say Happy Hannukah out of respect for the Jews. When it is Boxing Day, I'll say Happy Boxing Day, when it is Secretary's Day, I'll tell my staff "Happy Secretary's Day." There is nothing inherently wrong in saying "Merry Christmas" to someone. Yes, it represents Christ's birth, but it also represents that kindness to others, or that time spent with family. Maybe we all should have respect for Christianity, we have respect for the Jews, the Muslims, the African Americans, and so forth. You don't have to believe in Christmas to say "Merry Christmas," but you do have to have some respect and civility.

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
You know I love the Christmas season for several reasons; people are generally kinder to each other, we spend more time with friends and family, we have a bit of fun, we take time to relax and enjoy the snow, we do the things that normally aren't done any other time of the year because we are with friends and family. Those first two are great reasons to keep celebrating Christmas. I buy Christmas trees and I buy presents because it is tradition. When it is Hannukah I will say Happy Hannukah out of respect for the Jews. When it is Boxing Day, I'll say Happy Boxing Day, when it is Secretary's Day, I'll tell my staff "Happy Secretary's Day." There is nothing inherently wrong in saying "Merry Christmas" to someone. Yes, it represents Christ's birth, but it also represents that kindness to others, or that time spent with family. Maybe we all should have respect for Christianity, we have respect for the Jews, the Muslims, the African Americans, and so forth. You don't have to believe in Christmas to say "Merry Christmas," but you do have to have some respect and civility.

You're pretty idealistic. I think that's good, don't get me wrong. I do relize I'm very cynical.

Christmas for me is a pretty stressful time. There's a few gifts I buy that I sincerly want to give. Things that I really think people will like. Alot of the things though, as the things I receive, are things that are bought and given just because we feel like we have to. I hate that. I think that bit right there takes the sincerity out of the tradition. I like thanksgiving much more in this regard. Heven forbid somebody gets me something and I didn't get them anything. The dark cloud of christmas guilt. Gift cards too... ugh. Getting a gift card is a real pain. To me it kind of says, "Here, I don't pay attention/know you well enough to know what you might want, but I still felt like I had to give you something, so you'll have to do the christmas shopping for yourself." I don't like B&M shopping... ugh. I might be a little claustrophobic though. Ah well, that's how I feel about presents. I've been taking more time to really find gifts that I think people will love, and that's made the stress of shopping and giving better.

My family still recites a passage from the bible (from Matthew) about the birth, even though out of 20 or so of us only 4 still consider themselves Christian. Those four happen to be grandparents now, and I bet with the next generation the religious aspects of our family tradition will fade away. I think this may be a microcosm for the situation the country is going through with the tree in Boston and so on.

My bitter cynicism for this manditory commercial holiday has dissolved over the past couple years. I still think this holiday is far too commerical, but I try now to just ignore that and enjoy the time we've got.

As the pagans and christians assimilated their traditions, I think the different groups in this country are doing the same. How can we not when things change so quickly, and we live so close together? I think this tread is about growing pains.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I'm Jewish and I don't care if Christians celebrate Christmas, call Christmas trees Christmas trees or whatever else makes them happy. WTF is this?

It's nonsense, what do you expect. People assume that just because a word happens to have "Christ" in it therefore it must be religious in some way. Um, not really, considering people use it as a swear word too, sooooo does that make them religious...? Um, probably not.

Those people obsessed changing the name are just being rediculous, ignore it.
Or.... call it a Christmas tree right at them, emphasizing the "Christmas" part of it 😀

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: OdiN
Twas the night before a non-denominational winter holiday...

And all through the domicile...

On a serious note, christians have it so good in this country... Only one of them will ever be elected president. The current president is pushing their religion in public schools. Their religious holidays are national holidays, it's part of our pledge of allegiance and on our currency, and their houses of worship get huge tax cuts.

The reason I'm getting such a kick out of this is that they have the nerve to complain when a little beloved patriot appears in their armor - armor which, btw, is becoming far stronger under the current administration. Not at all unlike the RIAA screaming bloody murder about being able to steal slightly less money from musical artists and gullible children. I guess too much really is never enough. They have no problem with their beliefs being plastered all over the fabric of a supposedly free nation, but would be in an uproar if it were another belief system. Can you imagine if currency were changed to say "In Science We Trust"? :laugh:

Anyway, I mean no offense, and I can only laugh at the situation... Just trying to explain the PoV to the fundies in this thread.

Actions speak louder than words and will tell the truth when words lie.
Bush's actions are NOT those of a Christian.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: cscpianoman
You know I love the Christmas season for several reasons; people are generally kinder to each other, we spend more time with friends and family, we have a bit of fun, we take time to relax and enjoy the snow, we do the things that normally aren't done any other time of the year because we are with friends and family. Those first two are great reasons to keep celebrating Christmas. I buy Christmas trees and I buy presents because it is tradition. When it is Hannukah I will say Happy Hannukah out of respect for the Jews. When it is Boxing Day, I'll say Happy Boxing Day, when it is Secretary's Day, I'll tell my staff "Happy Secretary's Day." There is nothing inherently wrong in saying "Merry Christmas" to someone. Yes, it represents Christ's birth, but it also represents that kindness to others, or that time spent with family. Maybe we all should have respect for Christianity, we have respect for the Jews, the Muslims, the African Americans, and so forth. You don't have to believe in Christmas to say "Merry Christmas," but you do have to have some respect and civility.

Best post in this thread! Everyone should read this.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Actions speak louder than words and will tell the truth when words lie.
Bush's actions are NOT those of a Christian.

No offense, but what makes your interpretation of christianity any more valid than Bush's or anyone else's? To an outsider, these differences in interpretation appear as minor squabbling between likeminded people.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Actions speak louder than words and will tell the truth when words lie.
Bush's actions are NOT those of a Christian.

No offense, but what makes your interpretation of christianity any more valid than Bush's or anyone else's? To an outsider, these differences in interpretation appear as minor squabbling between likeminded people.

I've actually read the entire Bible several times? I know what that book has to say about being a Christian. President Bush does not match.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Actions speak louder than words and will tell the truth when words lie.
Bush's actions are NOT those of a Christian.

No offense, but what makes your interpretation of christianity any more valid than Bush's or anyone else's? To an outsider, these differences in interpretation appear as minor squabbling between likeminded people.

I've actually read the entire Bible several times? I know what that book has to say about being a Christian. President Bush does not match.

Granted he probably hasn't read it even once - too many big words 😉 But others who know it well have drawn conclusions very different from yours. It's very much open to interpretation.