UNC libraries to forgo Christmas trees

[BlackAndy]

CHAPEL HILL For as long as anyone can remember, Christmas trees adorned with lights and ornaments have greeted holiday season visitors to UNC Chapel Hill's two main libraries.


Not this year.

 

[AirPo]

Public libraries generally shy away from creating displays promoting any single religion, said Catherine Mau, deputy director of the Durham County library system, where poinsettias provided by a library booster group provide holiday cheer.

Good thing this rouge library was brought into line with tradition.

 

[Billnew]

I ask this,
How many Christmas trees have religious ornaments?
The tree isn't religious. The lights aren't religious. Angels and a cross is religous,
but a star or Santa claus can be placed at the top.
Tinsel, garland, glass colored orbs and all the traditional loot under the tree has nothing to do with Christianity.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Could care less either way.

 

[Washington]

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For UNC Chapel Hill

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[BlackAndy]

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For UNC Chapel Hill

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Why?
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[MrJim]

double post~so I offer you this brief commercial break..

 

[MrJim]

I'm trying to forgo Christmas tree at my house..fail

Christmas is just another bill...

 

[Phylogeny]

I'm not christian but I usually have a Christmas tree as a cultural event rather than a religious event. Libraries and other public places can also treat these things as such. After all, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, etc are not religious in nature but they do represent a part of American culture. Heck, even people in China have these things despite being a predominately Buddhist country. It's just fun. People shouldn't get so much up in arms over these things. Bigger things to fry.

 

[Washington]

Why?​

UNC Chapel Hill library is a public facility, and as a public facility I believe it's a violation of the separation of C&S to help promote or celebrate any religion or religious observance. The display of Christmas trees adorned with lights and ornaments qualifies as such an act.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

UNC Chapel Hill library is a public facility, and as a public facility I believe it's a violation of the separation of C&S to help promote or celebrate any religion or religious observance. The display of Christmas trees adorned with lights and ornaments qualifies as such an act.

Why should a Christmas trees,lights and ornaments have any meaning to religion.To me Christmas trees,lights and ornaments has more to do with kids,people in joying the decorations ,Then anything about Christ(Jesus).

 

[Washington]

Why should a Christmas trees,lights and ornaments have any meaning to religion.To me Christmas trees,lights and ornaments has more to do with kids,people in joying the decorations ,Then anything about Christ(Jesus).

I know you don't really believe what you've written here---no one is THAT dense---but to play along with your supposed ignorance,.

From Wikipedia:

"A Christmas Tree'', or (rarely) Yule tree, is one of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas. "
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And why do people call it a "Christmas" tree rather than say, a December tree or maybe a Snowflake tree? Think it could be because it has something to do with Christmas? Remember that last part, "with the celebration of Christmas." ?

And just what is Christmas?

Again from Wikipedia (not because I can't explain it myself, but that I'm a bit lazy tonight). Anyway, Christmas>>>>

"Christmas, also referred to as Christmas Day or Christmastide, is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth."
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Of course you're probably now asking yourself what this Jesus guy has to do with religion. THAT, my good friend, is answered in next week's remedial religious class. Until then be aware there will be a test on Sunday. And, of course, failure to pass means no Christmas shopping.

 

[Washington]

Dp

 

[ephesus32]

but where will they put the CHristmas presents??? : (

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

I know you don't really believe what you've written here---no one is THAT dense---but to play along with your supposed ignorance,.

From Wikipedia:

"A Christmas Tree'', or (rarely) Yule tree, is one of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas. "
​

And why do people call it a "Christmas" tree rather than say, a December tree or maybe a Snowflake tree? Think it could be because it has something to do with Christmas? Remember that last part, "with the celebration of Christmas." ?

And just what is Christmas?

Again from Wikipedia (not because I can't explain it myself, but that I'm a bit lazy tonight). Anyway, Christmas>>>>

"Christmas, also referred to as Christmas Day or Christmastide, is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth."
​

I was taught Christmas was a Pagan Holiday that worldly people celebrate and Christmas was around before Jesus was born.I only celebrate Christmas for decoration ,So Christmas doesn't mean Jesus to all Christians,Especially when you bring a Christmas tree,lights ,Santa Clause and all the other things that have nothing to do with God,Jesus.I'm sure Christmas tree and all that other stuff mean Jesus to some people,It just see wrong to me.Anyways Christmas is celebrated by people that don't believe,So I can't see the separation of C&S unless other religion want to get rid of it.Since where talking about Libraries then I see no problem if they put up different religion and history events up and I'm not talking about the Christmas junk.

Of course you're probably now asking yourself what this Jesus guy has to do with religion.

I already read about Jesus in the bible.

And, of course, failure to pass means no Christmas shopping.

The very idea to go Christmas shopping has nothing to do with Jesus,Unless there buying something to honer Jesus.

 

[lazor]

Christmas trees are pagan symbols originally. As was Christmas.


The more you know...

 

[Washington]

I was taught Christmas was a Pagan Holiday that worldly people celebrate and Christmas was around before Jesus was born.

And where do you think the word "Christmas" came from? Here's a clue from Merriam-Webster.

Etymology: Middle English Christemasse, from Old English Cristes mæsse, literally, Christ's mass
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Christmas trees are pagan symbols originally. As was Christmas.

The more you know...

"As was Christmas"? Are you saying that Christmas was once pagan, or a pagan symbol, and that it no longer is?

 

[lazor]

And where do you think the word "Christmas" came from? Here's a clue from Merriam-Webster.

Etymology: Middle English Christemasse, from Old English Cristes mæsse, literally, Christ's mass
​

"As was Christmas"? Are you saying that Christmas was once pagan, or a pagan symbol, and that it no longer is?

Are you saying that if I steal a movie, rename it, and publish it, then it is my own original work?

It was originally Winter Solistice, and then Christians adopted it. Or are you going to say that Christians have a tendency of celebrating birthdays late?

And yes, the tree which is commonly known as a "Christmas Tree" today was originally pagan.

 

[Washington]

Are you saying that if I steal a movie, rename it, and publish it, then it is my own original work?

No.

It was originally Winter Solistice, and then Christians adopted it.

But that's not what you said. You used the term "Christmas" without further explanation, and which denotes a very specific event---the celebration of the birth of Jesus---regardless of its back history. And without reference to this back history there is no reason to assume this is what you're talking about. Your "Christmas" in "Was Christmas" indicates nothing more than its present meaning, as commonly used, and defined in Merriam -Webster:

"a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday."
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If you want to be properly understood I suggest you phrase your remarks more carefully.

And yes, the tree which is commonly known as a "Christmas Tree" today was originally pagan.

Same for this. Regardless of it's back history, a tree erected at Christmas time in honor of Christmas and called a "Christmas tree" only refers to that specific event, not what it may have previously represented.

 

[flicka]

CHAPEL HILL For as long as anyone can remember, Christmas trees adorned with lights and ornaments have greeted holiday season visitors to UNC Chapel Hill's two main libraries.


Not this year.

Well if someone CAN remember when Christmas trees didn't decorate the libraries I guess that means it's not really any kind of tradition..right?

Such a stupid issue.