103 replies to this topic

[QuiteContrary]

I know all US Presidents have been Christians, but will the tree tradition last?
For me, it is a prominent symbol of Church&State. It makes a statement.
What do you all think?

[Beany]

The Christmas tree was a pagan tradition long before it was adopted by Christianity, so it works for me.

[keninsc]

Same reason they have coffee.

And yes, the Christmas tree is a pagan thing the Christians adopted.......like celebrating Christmas in December. Christ was actually born in April, but the pagans were having too much fun during Yule.

Edited by keninsc, 24 November 2012 - 05:07 AM.

[QuiteContrary]

Beany, on 24 November 2012 - 05:01 AM, said:

The Christmas tree was a pagan tradition long before it was adopted by Christianity, so it works for me.

But it is called a "Christmas" tree. It is not a pagan symbol at the White House. Are there angels on the WH tree? A nativity maybe? Christian symbols?

[QuiteContrary]

keninsc, on 24 November 2012 - 05:04 AM, said:

Same reason they have coffee.

Communion, yes. Coffee, no.

[Purplos]

It's not a statement. They're not just "the government," they're actually people, a family. They celebrate Christmas. They have a tree.

Big deal.

[keninsc]

Actually, they don't have any religious symbols, it's all pretty generic. You wouldn't even know what the season was actually supposed to be about if you went in there at Christmas time. It could just as easily be taken for a Pagan celebration.

[QuiteContrary]

It is called The National Christmas Tree. Who pays for all of the tree(s)? Who pays for the decorations and electricity. We are all invited, the lighting of the tree is a big deal, this is not a personal family tree(s).
This is a government building we all pay for. One can't rewrite history because one does not follow Christianity.

If it's pagan why does anyone fight for "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas?

Edited by QuiteContrary, 24 November 2012 - 05:20 AM.

[QuiteContrary]

The White House has several Christmas Trees inside. What do stars at the top symbolize? There is no way that past Presidents when this tradition began, and has been upheld...when this was a "Christian" Nation, that the tree was in any way meant to be pagan. Its (that is our National Christmas Tree) history is traditional, its symbolism is Christian. Citizens pay for it, I wondered how long it will last?

Edited by QuiteContrary, 24 November 2012 - 05:36 AM.

[keninsc]

Because the Government picks and chooses what it will defend and not defend.

Do I really need to spell it out to you?

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

it's because Obama is an evil atheistic Kenyan Muslim Socialist, it's all shadowplay and distraction for the masses.

[QuiteContrary]

Wearer of Hats, on 24 November 2012 - 06:09 AM, said:

it's because Obama is an evil atheistic Kenyan Muslim Socialist, it's all shadowplay and distraction for the masses.

Why blame him? It's been tradition with both parties for decades. What does it have to do with Kenya? And Arabs have bought the U.S. Christmas trees.

But as I keep seriously asking "For how long?" and "Why?".

Carter even began the lighting of a National Menorah, for religious appeasement's sake.

Edited by QuiteContrary, 24 November 2012 - 06:37 AM.

[pallidin]

Why so much fuss over a Christmas tree at the White House?
It's a tradition, and I like it.

[QuiteContrary]

The word "Christmas" is a holiday about Christ. What else does "Christ" mean? excluding some historical definition few Americans even know. The National Tree lighting included carols and religious services, that was expected with a "Christ"mas tree. It entwined Church&State at a time most thought they were.

We are a nation inclusive of other faiths and the nonfaithful as well as those who find Christ's words hateful and harmful.

Since we can't seem to keep The National Christmas trees alive, maybe we should pick something else as our symbol of Peace.

Isn't it offensive to anyone? Why then the fuss made over saying "Merry Christmas"?

Edited by QuiteContrary, 24 November 2012 - 06:53 AM.

[pallidin]

Get over it already!
That tradition will remain for a very, very long time.