XPost: nyc.politics, nyc.general, nyc.events 
 From: dogglebe@yahoooo.com 
  
 On Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:08:20 -0500, Obwon@dodgit.com wrote: 
  
 >On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:03:41 -0500, Phil 
 > wrote: 
 > 
 >>On Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:47:55 GMT, "Freedom Fighter"  
 >>wrote: 
 >> 
 >>>"Phil"  wrote in message 
 >>>news:g85vk3tpu5sae4v7k49ptl1e6i68s7i8ej@4ax.com... 
 >>>> On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:41:51 GMT, "Freedom Fighter"  
 >>>> wrote: 
 >>>> 
 >>>>>We also have a Constitutional right to be free from the imposition of 
 >>>>>others' beliefs and practices on ourselves. 
 >>> 
 >>>> We're talking about changing the name of the Christmas tree to the 
 >>>> Holiday tree, just for the sake of being politically correct.  It's 
 >>>> been called Christmas tree for centuries and, all of a sudden, it's 
 >>>> wrong? 
 >>> 
 >>>You can call it whatever you wish. I think such decorated trees are 
 >>>beautiful and desirable, but if they are financed by public funds or 
 erected 
 >>>in a public place, it is a violation of our Constitutional separation of 
 >>>church and state to officially endorse any religion by any means, which 
 the 
 >>>noun "Christmas" does. So have decorated trees around, they are beautiful, 
 >>>but simply respect the right of non-Christians to not have their tax money 
 >>>used to promote Christianity. 
 >> 
 >>I think, for the most part, they are funded by donations. 
 >> 
 >>Either way, calling it a holiday tree is a joke, though.  Everyone 
 >>knows that it's a symbol of Christmas. 
 >> 
 >> 
 >>Phil 
 > 
 >  What everyone "knows" and what it officially is 
 >are supposed to be two different things,  that is 
 >if you really support the idea of freedom of religion. 
 >It cannot be officially paid for with gov't funds if 
 >it is a Christmas tree.  That much is settled law, 
 >whether or not you are aware of it! 
 > 
 > But,  the gov't can use its funds to pay for 
 >a holiday tree!  Whether or not you believe 
 >in Christmas et al,  you do enjoy the holidays 
 >they bring with them.  So a "Holiday Tree" it 
 >is,  and that's the end of the matter! 
  
 Don't interrupt the adults when they're talking, Ob. 
  
  
 Phil 
  
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