Seattle Airport Christmas Debacle

The "War on Christmas" continues. From the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights:

December 11, 2006

SEATTLE AIRPORT CHRISTMAS DEBACLE

Don Feder of Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation (JAACD) and Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious And Civil Rights today issued the following joint statement:

“We are appalled by the decision of the Seattle Airport (Sea-Tac) to remove the Christmas trees which have graced the airport for 25 years.

“We are saddened that this was in response to a local rabbi, who threatened to sue the Port of Seattle if an eight-foot menorah wasn’t erected to ‘balance’ the Christmas trees.

“Courts have held the Christmas tree is a secular symbol (though associated with the celebration of Christmas). The menorah is clearly a religious symbol. While it would have been nice for the airport to erect a menorah, it wasn’t necessitated by the presence of the trees.

“To the rabbi’s threat, officials at the airport reacted the way bureaucrats usually do—by choosing the path of least resistance. In this case, taking down the trees—thus depriving the majority of travelers of a little holiday cheer.

“The rabbi should withdraw his threat of legal action if he doesn’t get his way. The airport should put the Christmas trees back up—whether or not any other symbol is added. And we should all recall this is supposed to be the season of peace on earth—not animosity on earth and litigation toward man.”

Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Naughty or Nice

Breakfast With Santa Banned

Christians See "War on Christmas" Momentum Shift

Catholic League Announces "2006 Christmas Watch"

"Nativity" Ban Called "Most Blatant" Form of "Religious Discrimination"

Christmas Banned From Christmas Festival

Marines Would Rather Needy Children Go Without This Christmas Than Receive a Jesus Doll

Best Buy Bans Use of "Merry Christmas"

Wal-Mart: We're Not Afraid to Say Merry Christmas

Court Okays Anti-Christian Discrimination - Allows Jewish and Muslim Symbols, but Not Christian Ones, in Public Schools

University Administrator Declares Christmas "Forbidden"

Massachusetts School District Cracks Down on Christmas

Merry You-Know-What

"Silent Night" Secularized (Wisconsin Elementary School Changes Lyrics)

"Merry Christmas" School Lunch Menus Recalled

I Celebrate Christmas

Jewish Groups: Okay to Say "Merry Christmas"

Catholic League: Wal-Mart Joins Neo-Puritan Left In Banning Baby Jesus' Birthday

Operation Nativity