2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsChristmas tree confusion
Strong Hall decorations create stir as tree is taken down and put back up
Ashley Bath
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A Christmas tree in Strong Hall was decorated yesterday for the second time the season, after being taken down on Monday due to the university's concern over religious diversity (or lack thereof) being shown this holiday season on campus.
Victor Matthews, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, who also teaches religious studies courses in Strong Hall, said the tree was not taken down as a result of any kind of student or faculty complaint. The university expressed concern over the religious inclusiveness.
The tree was taken down on Monday, and the university originally scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue of religious inclusiveness, but instead came to the decision to put the Christmas tree back up while adding other religious symbols in their displays.
A menorah, which is being created by Dwaine Crigger, a professor in the art department,will join the holiday display, while an educational case featuring examples of other holiday history and traditions will also be shown in the building.
Victor Matthews, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, who also teaches religious studies courses in Strong Hall, said the tree was not taken down as a result of any kind of student or faculty complaint. The university expressed concern over the religious inclusiveness.
The tree was taken down on Monday, and the university originally scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue of religious inclusiveness, but instead came to the decision to put the Christmas tree back up while adding other religious symbols in their displays.
A menorah, which is being created by Dwaine Crigger, a professor in the art department,will join the holiday display, while an educational case featuring examples of other holiday history and traditions will also be shown in the building.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
JT Eberhard
posted 11/29/07 @ 11:24 PM CST
I hope they have an FSM display/ornament in place. Otherwise I'm going to be extremely offended.
JT
Ashley Brown
posted 11/30/07 @ 12:14 AM CST
Yes, and can we have a Yule log?
Rebecca de Lopez
posted 12/01/07 @ 10:48 AM CST
You can have a secular tree, and a religious menorah on the holiday display. Why can only the Jewish faith participate in the holiday display. Were any Christian faculty invited to make a display or nativity creche? If MSU is so inclusive, where is the invitation to the Christian faculty or students to be part of the holiday display?
Queer eye for the supreme court guy
posted 12/02/07 @ 7:58 PM CST
I'm not positive about this, but I think both Christmas trees (without certain symbols) and menorahs are considered to be secular images, legally. It has something to do with whether they go well with plastic reindeer in a lawn display. (Continued…)
Foreign born Patriot
Foreign Born Patriot
posted 12/03/07 @ 8:58 AM CST
When I have gone to other countries they have not celebrated MLK day or Washington's birthday or the 4th of July and now they come here and expect us, as Americans, to celebrate things that are holy or culturally acceptable to them?? What is wrong with a culture being a culture?? We are becoming multicultural and Politically correct and are ignoring two centuries of multiculturalism gone wrong?? We have been founded on "Christian" ethics, morals and principles, now everybody wants us to celebrate their holidays too?? We are America not Chino-Mexo-Palestino-Franco-rica!! We celebrate Christmas because we as a nation always have if people don't like it they can return to their country and leave ours alone!!!!! Our culture is being lost and we are becoming more Vanilla than Pecan Praline, or whatever we used to be. (Continued…)
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