But by putting up inside Town Hall what everyone knows is a Christmas tree and calling it a "Community Tree," Cary invites disdain, ridicule and charges of political correctness while offending Christians, non-Christians and pagans alike.
Even more laughably, a large cedar tree outside Town Hall, lighted as part of Cary's annual "holiday celebration," is called simply "the tree."
A town statement emphasized that "Neither tree has been called the Christmas Tree." Think it's a Hanukkah tree? An Ashura tree?
This courageous exercise of government discretion has been brought to you by the Community Association of Religious Yo-yos.
Cary need not be so milquetoast to be fair.
Buddy Owens argues here that to be neutral, Cary shouldn't recognize any religions at all.
It's true that the government can't legally favor one religion over another. But the U.S. Constitution doesn't require obliviousness, and neither does common sense.
Cary mistakenly pursues inclusion through neutering. Instead, it should pursue inclusion through inclusion. Addition, not subtraction.
I don't see why the town can't decorate and display an evergreen tree - a pagan solstice symbol Christians adapted centuries ago - and call it a Christmas tree, by golly.
At the same time, the town can put up a Jewish menorah and Star of David, display an Islamic crescent, observe the Buddhist Bodhi Day, acknowledge the Wiccan Yule celebration, etc. Mazel tov!
Matthew Eisley is editor of The N&O's North Raleigh News and Midtown Raleigh News.
Government should stay neutral by staying out
BY BUDDY OWENS
I like Christmas. Bright lights, giving and pretty music always have a way of softening me up, especially since I have grandchildren. That's a big deal!
Lots of people enjoy Christmas, but it's exclusively Christian, and to say it isn't is absolutely out in left field. Do American Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and Muslims enjoy Christmas? Maybe some, but most likely not so much.
Governments can mess up Christmas. Surely a "Community Tree" like Cary's is offensive to Christianity. A government crèche with a "Community Person" in the manger also would offend.
It gets deeper when someone like Cary Councilman Don Frantz wants to "be all-inclusive while still honoring those who celebrate Christmas." That means what, exactly?
Oops! See what government support of religion does? What a mess. We are unwisely giving our religion "unto Caesar."
Cary, Wake County, North Carolina and the federal government don't need to honor any religion or religious activity.
Our country's founders knew how to do that. They gave us the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And the first 16 words of that First Amendment give us our very first freedom, the freedom of religion.
Being neutral in religion by staying out of it is the only way all levels of government can honor the religions of all their citizens.
Majorities change. Political parties, religions, social classes and other groups can become different in a short time. Let us hope that we still have the First Amendment when Christmas becomes a minority celebration.
Buddy Owens of Raleigh is President of the N.C. Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Monday, December 21, 2009
How should we celebrate religious traditions? - Faceoff
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