Atheists Angry After Wis. Gov. Changes ‘Holiday’ Tree Back to ‘Christmas’ Tree

[C5Nate]

I'm sterting to like this guy more each day.


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Atheists Angry After Wis. Gov. Changes ‘Holiday’ Tree Back to ‘Christmas’ Tree


Posted on November 8, 2011 at 3:36pm by Billy Hallowell

Love him or hate him, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is a man who sticks by his convictions.

He started by making Wisconsin more business-friendly, then took on the public sector unions. And now, the state lawmaker that has solidified a national name for himself is taking on atheists and non-believers — over the state’s “holiday” tree.

On Monday, Walker decided that he wanted to shake things up a bit. Rather than following recent tradition and referring to the (Christmas) tree that is placed in the Wisconsin’s Capitol Rotunda as a “holiday tree,” he’s changing course. For the past 25 years, lawmakers have referred to the evergreen that is decorated with ornaments and a star with this benign, uncategorized reference. Now, Walker plans to, once again, call the tree what it is — a Christmas tree.

From 1916 until 1985, the state did, indeed, refer to the tree as such. But in 1985, when lawmakers began getting nervous about government endorsement of religion, they began referring to it as a holiday tree. Walker, though, doesn’t want to continue doing so.


Rather than making a big deal out of the change, the governor simply put out a press release that referred to the holiday decoration as a Christmas tree. The release doesn’t note that any change in reference occurred. A portion of the document reads:

Today Governor Walker asked art teachers, parents, and youth all across Wisconsin to help the State of Wisconsin decorate the Capitol Christmas Tree. The theme of the tree this year will be Honoring 163 years of Wisconsin’s Veterans.



“As the holiday season comes, I am excited to announce that the Christmas tree displayed in our State Capitol will have homemade ornaments created by Wisconsin’s youth,” said Governor Walker. “I am hopeful we receive ornaments from all across Wisconsin so that we are able to showcase the diversity that makes up our great state. I invite all Wisconsin residents to stop by the Capitol and view our state’s holiday display.”

But when asked, spokesman Cullen Werwei confirmed that the decision was intentional. “It’s a Christmas tree,” Werwei said. “In all honesty, I don’t know what more to say about it.” In the Charleston Daily Mail, Don Surber echoed this sentiment, writing, “Republican Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin just ended 25 years of stupidity.”

Not everyone agrees, though. The infamous Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group of atheists and “freethinkers,” doesn’t plan to let the change go unnoticed. Annie Laurie Gaylor, the group’s president, called the decision both rude and insensitive to non-Christians. Gaylor said:

“The reason that it was turned into a holiday tree was to avoid this connotation that the governor chooses one religion over another. It’s essentially a discourtesy by the governor to announce that. He intends that to be a slight and a snub to non-Christians, otherwise he would not do it.”

Considering the FFRF’s track record, it’s likely the group will be doing more than simply commenting on the matter. We’ll have to wait and see their next legal moves.

[R.Zaragoza]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Well played Mr. Walker. Well played.

[Madmikeee]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Well played Mr. Walker. Well played.

Changing a majority because of a minority opinion was always assinine imho. Good job Mr Walker.

[Doug28450]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

In the Charleston Daily Mail, Don Surber echoed this sentiment, writing, “Republican Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin just ended 25 years of stupidity.”

Excellent statement.

[OddBall]

By definition, atheists shouldn't care what the tree is called.

[Broken Wind]

Originally Posted by OddBall

By definition, atheists shouldn't care what the tree is called.

You are absolutely correct IMHO. I am in that group myself and I honestly couldn't give two shits about the subject.

[RedLS1GTO]

If the phrase "Christmas tree" offends you... you are a f**king idiot.

This statement is coming from a non-religious person.

[Luetic]

can't they put up a Festivus pole near by for the other people ?

[Scissors]

Both sides are wrong. It's a Yule tree.

[Thud]

It's a Christmas tree, because it's not associated with any other holiday. It's one of the many secular symbols of Christmas. Along with reindeer, wreaths, sleigh bells, nutcrackers, and gingerbread men.

Hey, while we're at it, let's rename "menorah" to "holiday multi-candle holder."

[Chris Fowler]

Originally Posted by Thud

It's a Christmas tree, because it's not associated with any other holiday. It's one of the many secular symbols of Christmas. Along with reindeer, wreaths, sleigh bells, nutcrackers, and gingerbread men.

Hey, while we're at it, let's rename "menorah" to "holiday multi-candle holder."

Wait...are you trying to tell me there is no Hanukkah tree? No Kwanzaa tree?

I thought by calling it a "Christmas tree" we were excluding the other holiday tree traditions...

[Scissors]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Actually you are partially correct.

While it originated with the Yule festival, it has been commonly known as a Christmas Tree for centuries now.

Just like how a "magazine" is now known as a "clip".

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by OddBall

By definition, atheists shouldn't care what the tree is called.

What if they're paying for it?

[Chris Fowler]

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

What if they're paying for it?

Plenty of things I pay for with my tax dollars that I have no say in what they're called, or what they're spent on, or who they're given to...

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by Chris Fowler

Plenty of things I pay for with my tax dollars that I have no say in what they're called, or what they're spent on, or who they're given to...

I was responding to:

Originally Posted by OddBall

By definition, atheists shouldn't care what the tree is called.

To me 'having a say' and 'caring about' something are two different things.

[theriver]

sad commentary on this country when the obvious is mired in bullshit.

Good job Walker you did the obvious. Any other "leaders" with balls?


(crickets)

[Scissors]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Never heard that one before.

You're probably being facetious, but...

NRA-ILA :: Firearms Glossary

CLIP
A device for holding a group of cartridges. Semantic wars have been fought over the word, with some insisting it is not a synonym for "detachable magazine." For 80 years, however, it has been so used by manufacturers and the military. There is no argument that it can also mean a separate device for holding and transferring a group of cartridges to a fixed or detachable magazine or as a device inserted with cartridges into the mechanism of a firearm becoming, in effect, part of that mechanism.

[Joecooool]

[C5Nate]

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Galatians 6:1-10 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

[Chris Fowler]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

Damn stupid quote...this nation does amazing things for the poor, especially in the religious institutions.

This nation does so much that it allows the poor to refuse to help themselves and still have a roof over their head, cell phones, cable TV, microwaves, etc...