Word: secularizing
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That said, take the trees down already. Inappropriate as it is, the swastika comparison shows that to some people, public endorsement of a Christmas tree might be the spiral arm of something dire. And if Christmas trees are so harmless and secular, why are we bent on erecting them? To prove that Our Fun can’t be spoiled by Some Whiny Minority? Let’s find a new way to decorate, one that generates festivity and spirit instead of bad analogies. I recommend bright fabric, big jars of pasta and squashes with wigs...
Some have complained recently about the presence of Christmas trees as “religious symbols” in the Houses. In response to this anguish over the existence of a tree with lights on it, several Harvard commentators have said that the Christmas tree has mostly become a secular item. Even where it is not purely secular, they say, it has no overtones specific to any one faith...
...This secular argument is compelling when based on the history of Christmas. None of the complainers would be able to find any scriptural references to decorated trees being used to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The practice did not gain cultural appeal among Christians until the 16th century in Germany and the 19th in England and America (long after the coming of Christianity...
Admittably, often, like beauty, religion is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes it is not enough to simply declare something secular, it must also be judged acceptable by other standards. As such, even interpreted as a religious symbol, a Christmas tree represents only the celebration of a single holiday event—it is not an overt theological statement, as is a crucifix. Like the sukkah, or temporary shelter, that was put up in the Leverett House courtyard during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot earlier in the fall, the Christmas tree should be allowed to stay. Both...
Pforzheimer House’s gift exchange is called “Secret Snowflake” instead of “Secret Santa” in order to make it a secular holiday event, says Pforzheimer HoCo President Teresa L. Bechtold...