NEWS
‘Holiday Tree’ no more?
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Also by Jessi Polsky:
- Senate passes 'Frankenstein' veto bill (December 12, 2007)
- Labor history 101 in high schools? (December 11, 2007)
- 'Holiday Tree' no more? (November 28, 2007)
- There's no place like home (November 15, 2007)
- Senate to hear pros, cons of legalizing medical marijuana (November 14, 2007)
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- University searches for stolen spruce (December 11, 2002)
- 'Compassionate Care' bill hits Assembly road bump (December 12, 2007)
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by Jessi Polsky
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Holiday cheer may soon be replaced by Christmas spirit at the Wisconsin Capitol because of a new proposal to change the name of the Holiday Tree to the Wisconsin State Christmas Tree.
Authored by Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, the legislation could be enacted before Christmas Day 2007.
The tree’s official title should be changed because "it is what it is," Schneider said.
Wisconsin had a state Christmas tree starting in 1916. It was dubbed a holiday tree in 1985, and Schneider said he wants to revert back to the old name.
But Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said a state-sponsored Christmas tree sends residents a different message than a holiday tree does.
"After 20 years, to turn around and name it for one religion is sending a territorial signal," Gaylor said.
The separation of church and state, Gaylor added, often becomes fuzzy in the winter months. However, the state should not "have anything to do with Christians or Christmas, [and] shouldn’t be celebrating a religious holiday."
If passed, the legislation would allow the Capitol to house a state-owned Christmas tree, thus affording Christians in Wisconsin the opportunity to promote their faith in a building that is not supposed to have religious affiliations, Gaylor said.
"This has caused divisions," Gaylor said. "The tree lighting ceremony can be quite religious."
Wisconsin residents who are not of the Christian faith have told Gaylor they feel uncomfortable during the holiday season because of the Christian undertones stemming from the state-owned holiday tree.
"I have been told by people of minority faiths for years they feel like outsiders when they go by the tree," Gaylor said.
However, Schneider said people of other religions should not be offended, as there are objects of importance to other religions in the Capitol as well.
"They put up a menorah there, which is a symbol of Judaism, and they don’t call it a Holiday Candle," Schneider said.
But Gaylor said the menorah is sponsored by a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews, who had to apply for special permits to place the candelabra in the building
"The menorah has a name attached to it," Gaylor said. "The tree is owned by the state. It does not require a permit because it’s put up by the state."
The menorah and an accompanying sign were both placed in the Capitol as a response to the holiday tree, and FFRF placed a sign in the Capitol as well to address its belief.
Despite the Christian beliefs pervading Christmas trees today, the tradition began as a pagan ritual, Gaylor said.
"[Trees predate] Christianity," Gaylor said. "Green signifies the continuation of life."
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 7:11am):
Don't they have a State to run?
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 7:54am):
oh good. i'm glad that all of the state's other problems have been solved so that we can spend time on the moronic holiday/christmas tree debate once again.
marlin schneider, stop hitting on other legislators. i'm asking santa for you to get the hell out of the assembly.
signed,
one angry democrat
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 10:10am):
rumor has it, Doyle is replacing the tree with a festivus pole. great, now i'm offended.
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 10:13am):
pssh Christmas trees are commercial, not Christian. Many non-Christians have a Christmas tree up in their homes. Christmas is becoming more and more un-Christian in many aspects.
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 10:29am):
If politicians and activists put as much energy and passion into ending poverty, expanding healthcare, and improving education as they put into semantic debates like this, the world would be a better place.
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 11:13am):
Jesus who?
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 11:16am):
I just wish Annie Gaylor would go away and find something better in her life to fight for. She is a waste of space and energy.
The term "holiday" now covers all religious celebrations toward the end of the year. It is not following with the traditions of all of these other religions to force them to accept a "tree" as a symbol of their celebrations. Call it what it is, a CHRISTMAS TREE. If Annie Gaylor had her way, America would be a bunch of Godless, moraless liberals that have no traditions whatsoever.
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 4:11pm):
According to Gaylor, the state "shouldn't be celebrating a religious holiday." Great! Perhaps Ms. Gaylor will work to get my mail delivered, the Senate in session, and other state workers in office on Christmas day! And pray, will Ms. Gaylor herself be in the office on Dec. 25th?
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 5:16pm):
It is entirely possible to be an areligious liberal and still have morals. Plenty of Christians are amoral, so don't kid yourself by thinking that Christianity is an instant dose of morality. Anyway, call it a Christamas tree- I have a hard time believing that Jews, Muslims, atheists etc... spend their time caring about such nonesense as this.
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 9:22pm):
I am an atheist who celebrates Christmas. Santa and the tree have nothing to do with Christianity. Show me a bible passage about the xmas tree. No? Ha. That said...
It has always been, and always will be, a CHRISTMAS TREE. Duh. Call it a chicken sandwich for all I care. Ask a four-year old what it is. It's a Christmas tree.
Why do our tax dollars fund this when education gets crapped on year after year?
Why doesn't the state pay for the Menorah? Or some Wiccan symbol? How about a tribute to Satanism? I'd like a Festivus pole and Feats of Strength ceremony with Doyle. Or is it just that the majority faith gets endorsed, and everyone else can suck it?
Anonymous (November 28, 2007 @ 11:24pm):
Serenity Now!!
Anonymous (December 1, 2007 @ 9:47pm):
butt heads
Anonymous (December 4, 2007 @ 5:53pm):
Please call it what it is, a CHRISTMAS TREE!
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