Can someone please disprove this, please, I just can't accept it as true

[Todd]

WHAT IS IN THE WATER IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND?
Every once in a while --- and more often than I would like of late --- I run across a story that is so completely absurd that I become convinced it must be a hoax. Yesterday such a story surfaced from the community of Kensington in Montgomery County, Maryland. I read one paragraph and started looking for some evidence that it was merely a parody. Perhaps it came from that great Internet site, theonion.com.

No such luck. The story was real. A real story about real political cowardice and depravity. It seems that Kensington, Maryland has a little tradition of lighting a community Christmas Tree. The tradition was that Santa would arrive on a Montgomery County fire truck and then throw the switch lighting the tree.

Well .. not this year. It seems that two families in Kensington let community leaders know that they would be “uncomfortable” if Santa Claus lit the tree. This is like saying that you would be “uncomfortable” if a baseball player through out the first pitch at a baseball game. The two enduring symbols of Christmas are the Christmas Tree and Santa Claus. These symbols existed in one form or another well before this particular festival was chosen to also be a celebration of the Birth of Christ. Now we have some jerks in Kensington who would feel “uncomfortable” if Santa lights his Christmas Tree …and the politically correct morons in charge banish Santa.

 

[Beebeeblue]

I can see where some people have problems with the Santa Claus thing. I had a co-worker who did not celebrate Christmas at all with his kids, because he said it was too commercialized. But come Easter, he dang sure took them egghunting. Sounded like a selfish SOB to me.




At least Santa made it to the Macy's parade.

 

[p_p_man]

It's true...

It's one of those local news items that gets an international airing.

The report came through on the radio about 3am (my time) this morning and the BBC hooked up with the local radio station to check it out...

Yeah sorry to say. It's true.

The two families concerned weren't Christians, that's why they complained...

 

[Gilly Bean]

If I lived there, my responce to those two families would be,

Well, then, don't come. The rest of us damn well intend to have fun watching it though!

 

[Angel]

Re: It's true...

The two families concerned weren't Christians, that's why they complained...

I'm not Christian and I couldn't just NOT celebrate it or deny my children the fun of the whole season.

Santa isn't what the Christian Holiday is about anyway... so what the hell is the problem with Santa?

 

[lavender]

 

[Calamity Jane]

Re: It's true...

The two families concerned weren't Christians, that's why they complained...

But neither Santa, nor the tree, are Christian symbols. They're both extremely pagan in origin.

Jehova's Witnesses are Christian, and would have issues with the Santa thing. You can't fault the people for speaking up, but you can fault the town for caving to the minority. (assuming others didn't feel the same way, and just hadn't spoken up)

 

[portal65]

I think it's a shame when politicians bow under the pressure of two families being uncomfortable with Santa. The political decision affected thousands of people who no doubt knew nothing of why Santa was cancelled until they heard their town being ridiculed on national radio.

portal65

 

[plasticman33]

Re: It's true...

The two families concerned weren't Christians, that's why they complained...

That's right, according to the news they were Jewish. The fact that city council gave into this dispite the objections of the Mayor and others is really disgusting. Maybe they can get together and ban the mennorah!

 

[Gilly Bean]

If they were jewish, why not just celebrate thier own holiday traditions like normal?

Or, is it that they want a Rabbi to light the christmas tree?



The tree and Santa are symbols that many people of all backgrounds have come to love and cherish at Christmas. (not so much so in late june, when they finally look at taking the darn decorations down).

There is no reason the thoughts of 2 families should effect a community desicion like that.

As I said earlier, you don't like it? Don't come!

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Sad, but true...

Just another reason why politicians annoy me.

 

[gridiron]

You have got to be kidding me...

Ban Santa Claus?! What in the fuck is going on here?! Just because two families don't feel 'comfortable' doesn't mean that the rest of the population has to suffer because of their self-centered ways.. I mean.. Shit.. If kids don't see Santa Claus, then they'll stop believing.. If we take away their innocence @ this young of an age, then where the hell will Santa be in a couple of years?! I'll tell you where - on the street, with a coffee mug in his hand begging for change.. If we kick Santa to the street, then we might as well do away with all of the other holiday customs and traditions.. No more Easter bunny, kids.. Sorry.. One bunny cannot possibily visit all of you in one night to bring little gifts.. The same goes for Halloween.. It's wrong to celebrate something where kids dress up like goblins and scary things that might have some tie to the devil.. I've had enough of this shit.. It wasn't too long ago when I was ten, celebrating Christmas and overjoyed with all the presents.. Sure I know the truth behind Christmas now, but still.. The disilluision of it all was what made it so magical.. Don't take the magic away, folks.. Because then imaginations won't grow, and kids won't be 'kids' anymore.. So in conclusion, if your religious beliefs cause you to have some sort of problem with customary holidays, then please, keep it to your own damned self.. Don't ruin it for other people.. And worse, don't take it to your local politicians, because we'll see another case like this elsewhere.. Fucking A.. What a way to start out the holidays.. And I'm supposed to be in my 'cheerful' disposition now..

 

[PowerOfOne]

Religious

Can someone please tell me when Santa was considered a religious symbol? I agree with the members in saying it was wrong for the city councel to cave in to this. Why aren't the other citizens of this county doing something about it?

I suppose we will not be able to have easter egg hunts since clearly the easter bunny is a religious symbol also.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Oh please Todd. This has nothing to do with politics or being PC. I imagine it has to do with religion. I bet these people feel like Santa shouldn't light the tree or be at the center of a holiday celebration. These are probably religious zealots who want to re-spiritiualize and desecularize Christmas.

I bet you're right, Lav.

I can't believe this though. What is up with people wanting everybody to think and believe like them? Did anybody see the two Christian women on Dateline last night? The ones who were held in Afghanistan for proselytizing. They're heroes? What the fuck. The men and women who risked their lives to rescue these idiots were heroes.

Why do people think that they need to convert others to their way of thinking? I just don't get it.

Ruby

 

[Gilly Bean]

Re: Religious

Can someone please tell me when Santa was considered a religious symbol? I agree with the members in saying it was wrong for the city councel to cave in to this. Why aren't the other citizens of this county doing something about it?

I suppose we will not be able to have easter egg hunts since clearly the easter bunny is a religious symbol also.

What bout the Tooth Fairy?!?!?

Can we lose no more teeth!!!

What in the world is this world coming to?!?!?

 

[PowerOfOne]

OMG! NOT the tooth fairy too??? Which religion does the tooth fairy offend? Is there one that the members are toothless?

I believe I will think of the bunny as a religious symbol and get rich by suing Eveready Energizer batteries. Hmm...let me make out my wish list here.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Just had a thought. Isn't it Montgomery County, MD that just effectively outlawed smoking on your own property?

This sounds like a great place to live - real tolerant.

 

[PowerOfOne]

Just had a thought. Isn't it Montgomery County, MD that just effectively outlawed smoking on your own property?

This sounds like a great place to live - real tolerant.

~laughing~ Are you serious, Ruby? I do not think I would sit still for someone telling me what I could do on my own property. Being told I have to have a certain amount of square footage did not even sit well with me.

I think we have found out where the Stepford wives went to!!

 

[Rubyfruit]

Yep, it is Montgomery County. Here's the link:

http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55289&highlight=montgomery+county

 

[PowerOfOne]

Thank you, Ruby. I cannot believe that people sit back and actually let this happen. I am a non-smoker but I would NEVER tell anyone they could not smoke in their own home. If I did not like the smoke I have the option of not going to that person's home.

I am very, very glad I do not live in that community. If the neighbors found "smoke" from my home to be offensive they truly would be offended when a can of whoop ass was opened on them. If I have to pay a fine of $750.00 you can bet someone is going to get more than smoke in their face.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

These are probably religious zealots who want to re-spiritiualize and desecularize Christmas.

I can't be sure since a cursory search finds no news on this (I did a search of the Washington Post and the AP wire), but one person has asserted that the people were not Christians - so why do you automatically assume they are?

What about all the other zealots that want to prevent such ceremonies on the basis of Church/State separation? Couldn't it just as easily be someone like that? I personally hear a lot more in the news media about people wanting to cease public/community Christmas celebrations based on that principle than on the fact that they are Christians and don't like Santa Claus.

It seems you are a little eager to jump the gun Lavy.

Personally, I think both extremes are ridiculous. While I don't celebrate Halloween because I believe it conflicts with my religious beliefs, and I do not think XMas is about Santa Claus, I don't have problems with others who do wish to celebrate either event in whatever manner they wish - or to involve the community. Especially when kids are involved.

I do believe Political Correctness was very much involved here - before the age of PC, such people would have been laughed out of the offices of the community leaders, and the lighting ceremony would have proceeded unheeded. Now, our pols and bureacrats are paralyzed with fear that they might offend a constituant - and rather than lead, they panic like sheep seeing a wolf for the first time.

 

[Rubyfruit]

STG, as a Christian, what are your views on proselytizing? How do you feel about the Christian women who did it in Afghanistan?

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

STG, as a Christian, what are your views on proselytizing?

First, I believe that it is the duty of all people, Christian, Moslem, Atheist, Agnostic, whatever to defend and explain their faith and beliefs to anyone who asks or challenges those beliefs.

I also believe, that Christians are called upon by the basic tenets of Christianity to share their beliefs with others. Whether this means just answering questions as I am doing now, or proselytizing, depends on what the individual is called to do. Some are called upon to be quiet examples, others are called upon to be evangelists. I do not believe, as some sects and religions believe, that every one need evangelize, not even for just a few years as the LDS do.

Either way, both sharing and evangelism must done with careful consideration (i.e., respecting other's beliefs, not telling them they are going to hell, etc.), and if someone says they don't want to hear it, or doesn't want to discuss it, then that is their decision and we must respect it - just as we would wish them to respect our decisions.

How do you feel about the Christian women who did it in Afghanistan?

I do not know all the facts in the case. Were they really proselytizing? I seem to recall they were claiming they were not trying to convert anybody, but were working with Christian relief efforts. It is often standard practice in such countries to claim people like that are proselytizing when they embaress the government by trying to address a situation (starving or sick people, etc.) that the government can't or won't address themselves. Just as sometimes a government claims journalists are "spies" when they are working on news stories that might embarass that government.

I do know that they should have expected the treatment they recieved given the political and religious environment at the time, and that they have no real right to expect others to bail them out of a situation they put themselves into. While a person has the Natural Right to freedom of religion, and that right exists around the world but isn't always recognized everywhere (even here), these people knew the situation going in.

Are they heroes? Mmmm, I don't know - they do have one of the traits I look for in a hero (or heroine in this case); courage and conviction of belief. But were they really courageous? Or were they just terribly stupid and naive? The old saying of "fools step in where angels fear to tread" comes to mind. They had two strikes against them right off the bat; they were Christian and they were women. Is it really any surprise that they were imprisoned? Not to me, and I am no expert on Afgahnistan.

It would have been better if they had let others handle that work - did they really accomplish anything for the people they were trying to help by getting imprisoned? I don't think so. I think they just had some glorious idea about being martyrs - something we already have aplenty, and if you are young, stupid and naive, something that doesn't take a lot of courage.

Clear as mud?

 

[Julian]

Idiotic Questions... but I gotta ask...

I have a few idiotic questions after reading this and I can only wonder if I missed something:

1. What ever happened to "Majority Rule"?

2. Who said "Smoking's illegal"?

That's it... adios.


Julian

 

[ranajja]

well said STG

Clear as mud?

Nope, you did good, Shy.

It's hard to explain the "call" without sounding like, well, like the lunatics that start holy wars. Our "lunacy" is supposed to be based in love.

Fools rush in--reminds me of a song by Michael Card:

"So I follow God's own fool
For only the foolish can tell
Believe the unbelieveable
Come, be a fool as well."