Word: secularism
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...hour is "community building," yet the U.S. Postal Service seems to have lost the message in the mail. In cities and towns from Maine to Wyoming, the story is the same: remote, often arrogant Postal Service officials swooping down to summarily relocate what to many heartland residents is the secular equivalent of steepled white chapels. It's as if the feds raided Mayberry to cart away the barbershop...
...Christmas tree is a secular (i.e., non-religious) symbol, then why is it called a Christmas tree? Over the years, I've heard many people claim that Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and other "symbols of the season" have nothing to do with Christmas. At my public (i.e., state-run) high school, school officials were thrilled to display five Christmas trees prominently throughout the building--this despite the "separation of Church and State" which this country supposedly promises. The librarian even claimed that the evergreen in the library--decorated with tinsel, lights, and ornaments, which appeared in early December...
Kleinbaum said he wants to meet the needs of the secular and reform Jews at Harvard...
...Christmas tree is a secular symbol of the season. There wasn't a glimmering pine tree beside the manger on the first Noel, just as there wasn't a bunny hiding eggs in the tomb on Easter morning. There's a lovely story about a lost woodcutter led home by fairies placing lights on trees, and the evergreens could be a pagan tradition incorporated into seasonal preparations, but nothing holy is involved. For that reason, Christmas trees do not deserve protection as religious symbols...
...trees are displayed as seasonal art exhibits from a particular tradition and people do not object, fine. But if one or two house residents feel this is not an art exhibit they want house funds paying for, I'll be the Grinch, Scrooge or other secular symbol of Christmas-bashing and suggest it's time to take the trees down. If we are serious about sharing religion and learning from each other, I am ready to light the pink candle of an Advent wreath next Sunday and explain the religious significance and celebrations of the Christmas season...