Putting the [Blank] Back in [Blank]mas
A 30-year-old Denver parade at Christmas time bans signs saying "Merry Christmas" and the singing of traditional Christmas carols?! Frank Pastore (KKLA radio host, here) mentioned this yesterday, and I found more in the Denver Rocky Mountain News this morning (here).
Here's the parade's position:
But the parade does not allow "direct religious themes," said spokesman Michael Krikorian. That includes "Merry Christmas" signs and the singing or playing of traditional Christmas hymns. He added that the rules were spelled out when [Denver area pastor George] Morrison's intermediary called last spring to inquire about contributing a float.
"We want to avoid that specific religious message out of respect for other religions in the region," Krikorian said. "It could be construed as disrespectful to other people who enjoy a parade each year." ...
This year, the "international procession" includes the Two Spirit Society, which honors gay and lesbian American Indians as holy people; a German folk dance group; and performers of the Lion Dance, a Chinese New Year tradition "meant to chase away evil spirits and welcome good luck and good fortune for the year."
Those groups are considered examples of ethnic diversity, not religious groups, Krikorian said.
Oh, please! Allowing in one religion and not another is as un-American and unconstitutional as it gets. Besides, we all know no normal people complain of being dissed by such public displays, only the handful of hate-mongers at the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. To them, this is merely fundraising, publicity and politics, and they can make no legitimate case that they have been harmed. If they were, they would also demand that all spiritually themed participants be banned.
Thank God Pastor George Morrison is taking a stand. Here's what he's got to say:
"It's a little confusing to me," said Morrison, pastor of Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, one of the region's largest evangelical churches, with more than 4,000 worshippers. "Here we have this holiday, Christmas, approaching, and Parade of Lights is suddenly changed into something where you can't even sing a Christmas song?" ...
Morrison suggested that Parade of Lights wants it both ways - to capitalize on the festive Christmas holiday and its large crowds, but also to keep Christmas an unmentionable part of the season. "Maybe they should hold Parade of Lights in January or February," Morrison said. "By holding it in December, it's assumed by a majority of people that the reasons the lights are up is the continuation of the celebration of the birth of Christ. In America, that's our tradition, that's what the holiday is about."
Ironically, Morrison said he only asked about participating because he and his family are fans of the parade. He thought Christians weren't being represented because the cost of entering, several thousand dollars, was prohibitive to most churches.
"I was thinking of a float, a little choir, some musicians and a cross-cultural band" that would include Hispanic and black Christians, he said. "A picture of the city."
Instead of being in the parade, Morrison's group now plans to walk the route an hour before, singing hymns and offering hot chocolate.
I wish Morrison would take it further, and sue to be granted entry. I'm feeling a growing need for civil disobedience, backed with aggressive lawyers. The feeling is spreading with a warm glow not unlike the feeling I get when I hear a traditional Christmas carol and the warm greeting, "Merry Christmas!"
At the very least, that's what I'll respond with this year whenever I hear "Happy Holidays."
Here's the parade's position:
But the parade does not allow "direct religious themes," said spokesman Michael Krikorian. That includes "Merry Christmas" signs and the singing or playing of traditional Christmas hymns. He added that the rules were spelled out when [Denver area pastor George] Morrison's intermediary called last spring to inquire about contributing a float.
"We want to avoid that specific religious message out of respect for other religions in the region," Krikorian said. "It could be construed as disrespectful to other people who enjoy a parade each year." ...
This year, the "international procession" includes the Two Spirit Society, which honors gay and lesbian American Indians as holy people; a German folk dance group; and performers of the Lion Dance, a Chinese New Year tradition "meant to chase away evil spirits and welcome good luck and good fortune for the year."
Those groups are considered examples of ethnic diversity, not religious groups, Krikorian said.
Oh, please! Allowing in one religion and not another is as un-American and unconstitutional as it gets. Besides, we all know no normal people complain of being dissed by such public displays, only the handful of hate-mongers at the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. To them, this is merely fundraising, publicity and politics, and they can make no legitimate case that they have been harmed. If they were, they would also demand that all spiritually themed participants be banned.
Thank God Pastor George Morrison is taking a stand. Here's what he's got to say:
"It's a little confusing to me," said Morrison, pastor of Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, one of the region's largest evangelical churches, with more than 4,000 worshippers. "Here we have this holiday, Christmas, approaching, and Parade of Lights is suddenly changed into something where you can't even sing a Christmas song?" ...
Morrison suggested that Parade of Lights wants it both ways - to capitalize on the festive Christmas holiday and its large crowds, but also to keep Christmas an unmentionable part of the season. "Maybe they should hold Parade of Lights in January or February," Morrison said. "By holding it in December, it's assumed by a majority of people that the reasons the lights are up is the continuation of the celebration of the birth of Christ. In America, that's our tradition, that's what the holiday is about."
Ironically, Morrison said he only asked about participating because he and his family are fans of the parade. He thought Christians weren't being represented because the cost of entering, several thousand dollars, was prohibitive to most churches.
"I was thinking of a float, a little choir, some musicians and a cross-cultural band" that would include Hispanic and black Christians, he said. "A picture of the city."
Instead of being in the parade, Morrison's group now plans to walk the route an hour before, singing hymns and offering hot chocolate.
I wish Morrison would take it further, and sue to be granted entry. I'm feeling a growing need for civil disobedience, backed with aggressive lawyers. The feeling is spreading with a warm glow not unlike the feeling I get when I hear a traditional Christmas carol and the warm greeting, "Merry Christmas!"
At the very least, that's what I'll respond with this year whenever I hear "Happy Holidays."
posted by Laer at 6:31 AM
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