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Should we get rid of entire season?, 12/24

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published December 24, 2006

Re: Objection sends nativity scene inside, story Dec. 22.

It seems every year there is a "Christmas" display that offends someone and I mean some "one," not some "many."

I might be wrong, but I believe many commercial stores depend on sales and annual profits during the season of Christmas.

Yes, it is a religious holiday, but if we want to remain politically correct, separate church and state, then let's not have stores offend with a "Christmas sale." Let's just do away with the holiday altogether.

Then we can offend all the seasonal and full-time employees who will lose their jobs and offend all those people with mutual funds, which will drop like a rock in water because the fourth-quarter reports will show a decline in sales.

Isn't there something more offensive in this world to complain about than a plastic image of Jesus?

Not to offend, but I don't think a "Menorah sale" will generate the same annual spending on gifts and plastic images we buy to display.

Gene Arend, Safety Harbor

Re: Objection sends nativity scene inside, story Dec. 22.

We've already removed Christ

All citizens should applaud Brad Messick, self-appointed constitutional watchdog of Safety Harbor, for his bravery in contacting Safety Harbor City Hall to demand the removal of the offensive nativity scene on its front lawn. Praise is also due the city officials who recognized the error of their ways and swiftly removed this nuisance.

This isn't about church and state. It doesn't have to do with giving "equal time" to all faiths in their various expressions of peace, love and hope. It doesn't even have to do with ridding our community of cheap plastic versions of sacred symbols.

The reason Brad and others like him are so vital to the health of our community is to be sure we don't stain the Christian message with the message of Christmas. Christmas in our culture, after all, is as far removed from the message of Christ's birth as possible. And we want to be sure that all branches of government deliver a consistent message of what the U.S. Christmas season means.

In the spirit of today's Christmas, let's join together and replace all the obsolete symbols of Christ's message of peace (whether Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim or even Buddhist). Instead, let's celebrate the fact that we've overcome this wornout peace theme once and for all. Scrap Mary, Joseph and Jesus and load up the lawns of all city halls and state capitols nationwide with the real symbols of the season.

I'd suggest symbols that convey the highest goals and priorities of our culture, displayed in prominence. A sculpture of a high official wearing a Santa Claus costume would be appropriate, representing a symbol of hope and power and materialism all at once.

To show goodwill between public and private interests, it would be exciting to display a statue of an oil company executive greeting this Santa, with a handful of bills subtly changing hands.

Adding whatever symbols of violence and overt U.S. power the city or state officials would have available would be appropriate in this scene, scattered about as reminders of our intent to enforce peace and harmony throughout the world.

Be sure to display a super-sized HDTV running Christmas ads 24/7 as a constant reminder of the spirit of giving.

Either cover the whole display in thousands of red, white and blue lights, or, even better, just wrap it in the largest American flag you can find. If it's not at Wal-Mart, you can shop online and still get it in time for Christmas. I think it's the 25th this year.

Tom Smith, Oldsmar

Re: Objection sends nativity scene inside, story Dec. 22.

One man has too much influence

It is really sad when one man can change a city in such a negative way. Where is our democracy? Where are the rights of the majority?

We need to remind Mr. Messick that it is freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion, in the Constitution. I am certain that had he wanted to add any other faith representations to the display, Safety Harbor would not have objected.

Let us pray for the bitter, those who would choose to fight rather than love during this special season.

This is my first Christmas without my husband, who passed away from renal cancer in April. Things like this feel like an attack on Don DeHart, his work for the Lord in Haiti and all of those who serve God. Let us focus on love.

Eva DeHart, For Haiti with Love, Palm Harbor

[Last modified December 23, 2006, 23:24:42]