State-Journal.com - It's a Christmas tree after all

The tall, decorated tree on the Kentucky Capitol’s front lawn this holiday season will be called a “Christmas” tree after all.

Last week, a statement from Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration sparked some Christmas consternation by referring to it as a “holiday” tree. The news angered some Christians who were perturbed by the terminology.

But Beshear, as well as state government, will be referring to the yuletide symbol as a “Christmas” tree, spokeswoman Kerri Richardson said.

“For Gov. Beshear, it is a Christmas tree. Period. The end,” Richardson said. “That first request from the Finance Cabinet didn’t reflect that, but the governor speaks for himself. He’s calling it a Christmas tree. That’s what it is.”

The Beshear administration, particularly the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, solicited Kentucky residents last week to consider donating the perfect “holiday tree” to the state. Officials were looking for a pyramid-shaped tree between 35 and 50 feet tall to put up on the regal Capitol’s front lawn.

Richardson said the administration received a steady stream of e-mails and phone calls about the use of the word “holiday.” But, Richardson said, it’s always been a Christmas tree to the governor, and he’s invited critics to a “Christmas” tree lighting ceremony Nov. 30.

“It looks like the governor’s heart grew three sizes today,” Martin Cothran, a spokesman for the Family Foundation of Kentucky said, referring to the story of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

“Given the public outcry, we’re not surprised in the least. We’re even hoping he’ll carve the roast beast,” Cothran said.

In an e-mail Beshear sent out last week, the Democratic governor said the state was “using the same terminology that has been used in the past, which is intended to be inclusive of the entire holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s. What is more important is to remember what this time of the year is all about — family and caring for those less fortunate.”

Richardson said the governor’s office is sending out new e-mail replies to people who raised questions or concerns about the reference to a “holiday” tree.

However, the Rev. Jeff Fugate, pastor of Clays Mill Baptist Church in Lexington, is hoping to attract people to the Capitol on Dec. 7 to sing Christmas songs.

To Fugate, the damage has already been done.

“It looks like we’re on our way to saving Christmas, as of right now we’re going to continue on because we’re disappointed,” Fugate said. “He’s already told folks what he believes, and he’s already excluded the word Christmas. He’s made a blunder here.”

Paul Simmons, an ethics professor at the University of Louisville, said Christmas trees have not been exclusive symbols to Christians. The trees, which are evergreens, have been symbols of eternal life, among other things,” Simmons said.

People who have tried to be more inclusive of other religions have been criticized in the past, Simmons said.

“Why can’t we agree about the history of the tree and not invest so much emotion and let someone else share the joys of the season,” Simmons said. “Why should we try to oppress other expressions of religion?”

All this seems “much ado about nothing,” said Edwin Kagin, a northern Kentucky lawyer and national legal director for American Atheists. Christmas is a holiday that is both religious and secular and can be enjoyed by many people, Kagin said.

16.	Posted by Need4Speed November 6, 2009
	"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion by the Congress or the preference of one religion over another, non-religion over religion, or religion over non-religion. I don't see anything here that actually implies a separation of church and state, merely that there will be no official religion vis-a-vis The Church of England or any of a number of Islamic States, and that you can follow any faith that you so desire. I see nothing here that says there will be no religion in government. So, if you want to have your Festivus pole, so be it. Just don't prevent the rest of us from having our celebrations. I'll even support your right to put up a Festivus pole at the capital.

13.	Posted by trying November 5, 2009
	Relegion is a CHOICE. Don't be pushing yours on those that made a different choice True. That includes not renaming religious symbols/terminology. Otherwise you'd be practicing intolerance. Why are the Christians supposed to be the only ones tolerant in this case? The Christians aren't allowed to push but the others are allowed to push their beliefs on us. See something wrong with that picture? The vast majority of Kentuckians consider themselves to be Christian. It's only a select few who have different beliefs or are atheists. How come those few get to tell the rest what to do? That is indeed un-American. Last I checked we are supposed to function on the principles of democracy and democracy is doing what the majority decides to do. Yep, feelings are bound to be hurt, no matter what. But I'm really tired to bow down to the minority and do what they want to do. Want change? Do it the regular way. Persuade people to see it your way. If your opinion is right, you'll eventually be the majority. But force? Don't be mistaken, a name change is force. Forcing your minority opinion on the majority. People are starting to get fed up with that crap.