The Christmas tree - is it non-denominational?
[mk1]To the Editor:I am sorry to have to raise the thorny issue of the TREE again, but some folks still don't have it right.
What is a "non-denominational" tree-lighting? Is the lighting non-denominational, or the tree? In fact, there is nothing "non-denominational" about the tree or the lighting.
Many Jews and other non-Christians (and I imagine many Christians as well) feel overwhelmed by Christmas symbols at this time of year. But that is another problem. This problem is more aggravating; namely, the pretense that Christmas is a secular, American holiday and that everybody can participate in it.
Come now, we all know it's a Christmas tree. And that's fine -- let's have a Christmas tree, a beautiful one. But please, let's call it a Christmas tree, and stop pretending that it is a universal symbol.
Dan Shevitz->
Hillel Director->
and Jewish Chaplain->
[gd]
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