Kentucky Governor Beashear - Holiday Tree

[kantuckyII]

Kentucky Governor Beashear, recently dubbed the Christmas Tree that will be on the capitol lawn this year. I bet he made a lot of guy's in 'the other party' pretty happy by doing so.

[my2cents]

I never have understood the big deal Christians make over the Christmas tree when it was commanded by God to stay away from it in the first place in Jeremiah 10:2-4 which reads:

2. Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

3. For the customs of the peoples are delusion; Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

4. They decorate it with silver and with gold; They fasten it with nails and with hammers so that it will not totter."


The King James Version reads: "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen.... For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

Now many will argue that this is not a pagan symbol but is now a Christian symbol, but that is what Aaron thought as he created a Golden Calf. Did not God rise up and destroy them for trying to use a Pagan image to honor him. Just a thought.

[mstangmom]

WOW my2cents that is pretty impressive...........................

My has not put a tree or decorated in over 15 years now. we do one "gift" for each kid usually a set amount of cash so they can spend how they want. most of our time though is spent playing games and having a great dinner.

[abuck76]

I agree, 2 cents.........shut tuck up...We still have a tree, but for the cultural aspect........

[my2cents]

We actually have a tree, but it is a live Potted plant. I always laugh when people say "look how beautiful my tree is". I always say, "I hate to break this to you but it's dead". You cut it off it's root system.

[BubbleGumTiger]

There will be no Holiday Trees in the trailer park this year............just the good ol Christmas tree we have had for years.......with lots of gifts..........and ornaments............

[Tiger Man]

I too will have my Christmas Tree up again this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[The Instructor]

There will be no Holiday Trees in the trailer park this year............just the good ol Christmas tree we have had for years.......with lots of gifts..........and ornaments............

This tree is nearly perfect. It needs an Ohio State ornament on it to be perfect!

[biggdowgg]

I wil have my tree up, like every year,and my kids and grandkids will be spoiled , like always, with gifts to wake up to on Christmas Day

[BubbleGumTiger]

There will be no Holiday Trees in the trailer park this year............just the good ol Christmas tree we have had for years.......with lots of gifts..........and ornaments............

This tree is nearly perfect. It needs an Ohio State ornament on it to be perfect!

the Ohio State ornament is standing to the right..........

[BubbleGumTiger]

What about me?

I got you covered Sarge............

[biggdowgg]

What about me?

I,LL be working on something special for you......

you deserve it.

[kantuckyII]

There will be no Holiday Trees in the trailer park this year............just the good ol Christmas tree we have had for years.......with lots of gifts..........and ornaments............

This tree is nearly perfect. It needs an Ohio State ornament on it to be perfect!

the Ohio State ornament is standing to the right..........

Whoever came up with the idea of the DVD gift on the floor...that was over the top!

[kantuckyII]

I agree, 2 cents.........shut tuck up...We still have a tree, but for the cultural aspect........

if it was my website, you'd be banned for that pagan crescent moon in your avatar

[ManitouDan]

could it be the actual intolerance is from the non christian people ? I don't complain about Kawanza or Muslim ladies wearing scarf's on their head, or people with dot's on their forehead or any other public display of religion from any other religion -- why can't they tolerate my "Christmas" tree ? If everyone is free to do as they wish why don't you non traditionalist or whatever you wish to be called just leave us alone ? That tree isn't imposing any will or force anyone to bow down to it , why not let us crazy people do our thing ? MD

[ManitouDan]

PS Beshear and the D's that support this type of intolerance are unfair. They are mean . and mean people suck. MD

[mstangmom]

MD have your tree if you like, Spend the money if you like, We have just CHOSE not to give into the comercialization of Christmas anymore. I was just impressed with My2cents posting of the scripture, in fact until now I don't think I really ever remeber reading that scripture. I know I have read it I just don't remember it, and I surely never put that together with Christmas and the whole tree thing.

A tree, presents, and decorations ARE NOT what Christmas is supposed to be about. As a family we decided not to give into the comercialization and instead to celibrate the season for what it supposed to be about. we have time time as a family, we attend Christmas eve service @ church, but We DO NOT buy things to increase the amount of money in the manufactures and stores wallets.

I mean really have you been to walmart? I just got back from Fla. 2 weeks ago Halloween was just this last weekend. I went to Wal mart in Fla. they already had clearence prices on the halloween stuff and christmas decorations were already out. I came home and went to wal-mart there it is christmas decorations 6 rows and the entire garden center full of them.

I got to say I never thought I would agree with Jahovah witness but they were onto something when they decided not to celebrate christmas with gifts.

[therepublican]

could it be the actual intolerance is from the non christian people ? I don't complain about Kawanza or Muslim ladies wearing scarf's on their head, or people with dot's on their forehead or any other public display of religion from any other religion -- why can't they tolerate my "Christmas" tree ? If everyone is free to do as they wish why don't you non traditionalist or whatever you wish to be called just leave us alone ? That tree isn't imposing any will or force anyone to bow down to it , why not let us crazy people do our thing ? MD

Very good point! We tolerate everyone elses religion..let us have peace with ours..it is a CHRISTmas tree...period.

[wildthingRV]

My college roommate for four years was Jewish. Do you know how we handled the holidays? I celebrated Christmas, he celebrated Hannukah, and we didn't give each other any crap about it. I actually got him a present for Christmas on year, he gave me a Hannukah present, and we watch the South Park Christmas special.

There is alot to be said for not telling people what they can and cannot believe.

Muslims are NOT pagans, either.

[caglewis]

wildthingRV- but that was a "personal" not a "public" choice.
There are many kinds of celebrations that happen around the time of the winter solstice - an observable, measurable, physical astronomical event. What are "insultingly" called "pagan" people developed and defined astronomy as a science by observation and recording of celestial events - noting that they recurred on a regular, predictable schedule - and chose to celebrate certain of those times [esp the solstices and equinoxes] with elaborate pageants and ceremonies.
And then RELIGION - of all varieties - co-opted those already established and popular "pagan" celebrations and redefined that particular astronomical date and time as a "religiously" meaningful.
An evergreen tree symbol, tradition, and celebration of Christ's birth developed in Northern Europe - far, far away from the actual geographic area. There were no pine trees in Nazareth or Bethlehem!!
So, if a community chooses to publicly commemorate any holiday with religious connotations, then it shouldn't be too hard to make sure the name and decorations are at least minimally inclusive of all different beliefs!! I do NOT want a punitive "Taliban" style government in the name of "Christianity" because it's a "better" religion!! FORBIDDING that was the whole point of the 1st Ammendment!
NO religious beliefs or practices get to be made LAW and enforced/required of everyone - ALL beliefs deserve equal governmental acknowledgement and respect! I heartily support including ALL beliefs [or none] in the "name" you give any kind of public, tax-supported, holiday display.