My liberal city's policies.

[john63]

I live in a suburb of Portland, Maine. In the past 15 years or so we have had a great influx of immigrants and peoples of all differnt faiths and ethnicities. We all work and live alongside of each other with a good deal of peace and goodwill for one another.

The city of Portland decided a few years ago to adopt a no Christmas policy because they thought it offensive to other faiths. They banned nativity scenes on city property, they call the city tree a Holiday Tree now instead of a Christmas Tree as it always was known, and city employees are not allowed to mention Christmas while on the clock.

Although I don't like these policies, I thought I would be able to accept it and live with it, but last night Portland' Jewish community lit a huge 20 some odd foot high Mennorah in downtown Protland on city property and sanctioned by City Hall. This Mennorah is right on Monument Square in the center of downtown activity for everyone to see in all it's splendor.

Now, I have no problem with my Jewish neighbors. They are fine people, but why are they the only ones allowed to display the symbols of thier holidays?

Has anyone else seen things like this in their cities? I'm baffled.

 

[Sunstone]

Sounds screwed up to me. Either let all religions display their symbols on city property or allow none to display, but this selectively allowing one religion to display while banning another is un American.

 

[Fluffy]

I agree john and I shudder when this sort of activity gets carried out in the name of liberalism.

 

[ChrisP]

I agree john and I shudder when this sort of activity gets carried out in the name of liberalism.

Liberalism? Naahhh this is just more over the top PC crap.

Everyone has rights except the majority. . .

 

[Jaymes]

What hypocrisy. This brings to mind the phrase "Get off my side! You make my side look bad!"

 

[Linus]

I think it's messed up for the government to decide what will offend who. Who are they to decide that a certain thing will offend a certain group. Ridiculous in my opinion.

 

[pleasantseeker]

are they taking away our symbols or our faith? much ado about nothing. their are enough electrical outlets,wal-marts, and private property to light up portland with nativity scenes and merry christmas signs so that tokoyo will complain. conspiracy theories are ridiculous and too convenient
the early church had a problem with converts eager for martyrdom. those who want to prove their faith by bringing attention to something that is not important.

 

[Apex]

I agree with ChrisP, this just more of giving rights to the minorities and taking them away from the majority. Pretty soon it will be agaisnt the law to be a white republican christian.

 

[Jaymes]

While I agree that this is ridiculous, the idea of it being illegal to be a white republican Christian is equally ridiculous.

 

[JerryL]

Although I don't like these policies, I thought I would be able to accept it and live with it, but last night Portland' Jewish community lit a huge 20 some odd foot high Mennorah in downtown Protland on city property and sanctioned by City Hall. This Mennorah is right on Monument Square in the center of downtown activity for everyone to see in all it's splendor.

As you've presented the scenerio; it's obviously giving religious preference and therefore a violation of church and state. Perhaps you can provide a link to the actual news story?

That said, I have no idea why you falsely lable this as "liberal".

 

[JerryL]

Pretty soon it will be agaisnt the law to be a white republican christian.

Of course, the whits will not likely stay the majority, the Muslims have a good shot at passing the Christians in the next hundred years; and the Republicans have never been the majority.

I wonder how you will feel then? Will there be persecuation against the Black, Muslim majority?

Speaking of persecution; when were you last forced to the back of the bus for being a white, republican, christian? Were you blacklisted and brought before congress like the communists? Was your land taken from you like the Indians? Were you arrested and jailed like many of the homosexuals? Were you property like the blacks? Do you avoid sending you picture with your resume in order to get more responses? Do old women cross the street to avoid you? Are there jokes about being pulled over for "driving while white"? Is there reason to be? Do you see signs up on the road protesting people not wishing "Happy Hannakkua" in the stores? Are Jews with burning stars of david torching your souther churches? Are you red-flagged at airports because your last name is "Jones"?

 

[Apex]

Of course, the whits will not likely stay the majority, the Muslims have a good shot at passing the Christians in the next hundred years; and the Republicans have never been the majority.

I wonder how you will feel then? Will there be persecuation against the Black, Muslim majority?

Speaking of persecution; when were you last forced to the back of the bus for being a white, republican, christian? Were you blacklisted and brought before congress like the communists? Was your land taken from you like the Indians? Were you arrested and jailed like many of the homosexuals? Were you property like the blacks? Do you avoid sending you picture with your resume in order to get more responses? Do old women cross the street to avoid you? Are there jokes about being pulled over for "driving while white"? Is there reason to be? Do you see signs up on the road protesting people not wishing "Happy Hannakkua" in the stores? Are Jews with burning stars of david torching your souther churches? Are you red-flagged at airports because your last name is "Jones"?

Ok man that stuff is in the past. Now days it seems that if your a "majority" in anything its wrong. But thats not what this thread is about nor do I wish to discuss it.

 

[Ðanisty]

I think it's messed up for the government to decide what will offend who. Who are they to decide that a certain thing will offend a certain group. Ridiculous in my opinion.

I agree and I think most of the time they create these scenarios anyway. Were non-Christians really going to be offended by the sight of a nativity? Were non-Christians really going to be offended when someone wishes them a Merry Christmas? Honestly, I don't really think so. I don't really think most people care that much. I'm not a Christian and I don't care. I'm not offended by Christmas.

 

[JerryL]

Ok man that stuff is in the past. Now days it seems that if your a "majority" in anything its wrong. But thats not what this thread is about nor do I wish to discuss it.

There are scores of present exmples, from the lower wages enjoyed by women and minorities doing the same job, to harrassment and firings of athiests and wiccans.

BTW, what's so "in the past" about DoHS's focusing on Arabs at airports? I see that rather in the present tense.

 

[JerryL]

I agree and I think most of the time they create these scenarios anyway. Were non-Christians really going to be offended by the sight of a nativity? Were non-Christians really going to be offended when someone wishes them a Merry Christmas? Honestly, I don't really think so. I don't really think most people care that much. I'm not a Christian and I don't care. I'm not offended by Christmas.

No. We don't tend to fidn it offensive.

What I do find offencive is people taking offense at "happy holidays". I wished someone that the other day and they snapped at me that it was "merry Christmas".

 

[jonny]

That said, I have no idea why you falsely lable this as "liberal".

Don't pretend that it isn't liberal special interest groups that have pushed to get rid of nativity scenes and christmas on public property and in schools. It might not be "liberal" but the liberal groups are the source of these campaigns.

 

[JerryL]

Don't pretend that it isn't liberal special interest groups that have pushed to get rid of nativity scenes and christmas on public property and in schools. It might not be "liberal" but the liberal groups are the source of these campaigns.

In much the same way that the Taliban and KKK are conservative special interest groups.

Though actually, there are quite a few conservatives opposed to it; starting with conservative Muslims and Jews who consider it idolotry.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

This has nothing to do with being Liberal nor is it based on liberal philosophy.

It is straight forward Bureaucratic political correctness taken to its idotic extreeme.


Terry______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[john63]

I thought I would add that although I think it's unfair, the Mennorah being there does not offend me at all. Actually I think it looks pretty cool.

 

[Fluffy]

Don't pretend that it isn't liberal special interest groups that have pushed to get rid of nativity scenes and christmas on public property and in schools. It might not be "liberal" but the liberal groups are the source of these campaigns.

I agree with you but it is dangerous calling it that because it allows others to reverse the labelling and come to the conclusion that all liberals, or even the majority of liberals, would support such a thing. It is the same idea, as JerryL points out, as discussing the KKK in terms of conservatism or Middle Eastern terrorists in terms of Islam.