NationStates Jolt Archive

in a city of 100 people, 70 are christian, 25 are of other religion, 3 are atheist but dont care if others beleive in God, and 2 are atheist that are violently opposed to anyone believing that there is a higher power.

city hall has decided to decorate the city for the holliday season (season of there being many hollidays from many religions on around the same time of year) which decoration do they use?



why?

if you went to this one first: go to http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459242

Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and Medals of Honor.

Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and Medals of Honor.

You crazy army person.:p

Why should city hall decorate at all? It's a government building, so it doesn't have to attract customers, no-one lives there, and anything it does will be paid for out of the taxpayers' pockets. Besides a nice roaring fire I can't think of any decorations they would need.

You crazy army person.:p

Why should city hall decorate at all? It's a government building, so it doesn't have to attract customers, no-one lives there, and anything it does will be paid for out of the taxpayers' pockets. Besides a nice roaring fire I can't think of any decorations they would need.

Don't be such a spoil sport! Flashing Santa lights and bits of tinsel never hurt anyone, and always help to lighten the mood on a cold winter's night.

I say they don't decorate at all, it's a waste of taxpayer money, and no matter what you do someone is going to be offended.

The amount of money spent is minuscule, and the amount of people who will be genuinely offended is microscopic. Besides, why should they be able to stop something that a maojrity would a appreciate?

Sounds like tyranny of the minority.

No christian decoration cause I do not think, god wants it .

Don't be such a spoil sport! Flashing Santa lights and bits of tinsel never hurt anyone, and always help to lighten the mood on a cold winter's night.

Tinsel and flashing lights...on city hall.

Here we have the problem. It's just not dignified.

The amount of money spent is minuscule, and the amount of people who will be genuinely offended is microscopic. Besides, why should they be able to stop something that a maojrity would a appreciate?
because I live in America and it's a free country for all, not just the majority, and also I pay taxes and I don't think that tinsel and santa clause statues are a good use for my money when there are roads to be fixed and schools to be funded.

Sounds like tyranny of the minority.
yeah. :rolleyes:

How do Christmas lights make you unfree?

How do Christmas lights make you unfree?

I could think of a few ways....Mvahahaahahahaahaha!

How do Christmas lights make you unfree? The French have already figured out that intersecting perpendicular lines in scholastic institutions threaten the security of l'état - the Americans may as well follow them!

How do Christmas lights make you unfree?
Some people feel that by the government favoring one religious holiday over the others (or over the fact that some choose not to celebrate) then thier right to be anything but whatever religion is favored is being trampled on.

My main point though was that just because the majority is one religion, doesn't meant that we should favor it over all others. The minority has the right to be represented. So, either do all or nothing, and my preference would be nothing since decorations on a government building seem to me like a waste of time and money.

because I live in America and it's a free country for all, not just the majority, and also I pay taxes and I don't think that tinsel and santa clause statues are a good use for my money when there are roads to be fixed and schools to be funded.


Only in America would someone suggest that Yuletide decorations paid for by (a pittance) of taxpayer's money make a country unfree.

Besides, a few Christmas lights are a lot more cost-effective at improving mood and disposition than the drugs many Americans seem to "need" just to get out of bed in the morning.

Only in America would someone suggest that Yuletide decorations paid for by (a pittance) of taxpayer's money make a country unfree.

The point is more that said Yuletide decorations would make a dignified government building look stupid, a fact people of any religion can agree on.

Only in America would someone suggest that Yuletide decorations paid for by (a pittance) of taxpayer's money make a country unfree.
I don't think you have been around enough to know me very well.

Let me put it another way, my daughter goes to a school that is 96% black 4% asian and 1% white. Since the majority of her school celebrates Kwanzaa then would it be acceptable for them to decorate for that, and ignore Christmas or any other holidays?

They just don't decorate, it's fine with us. There are no "Holiday" programs, just a winter concert.

Doesn't matter how much we decorate in his honor, Cthulhu will still eat us all.

Besides, a few Christmas lights are a lot more cost-effective at improving mood and disposition than the drugs many Americans seem to "need" just to get out of bed in the morning.
so, Christmas lights can cure mental and physical illness?

I don't think you have been around enough to know me very well.

Let me put it another way, my daughter goes to a school that is 96% black 4% asian and 1% white. Since the majority of her school celebrates Kwanzaa then would it be acceptable for them to decorate for that, and ignore Christmas or any other holidays?



Yes, unless part of the festival involves burning poeple who don't celebrate Kwanzaa.

What's wrong with a bit of festive fun?

You crazy army person.:p
Yeah! Don't make me go all flashback on yer azz! Mwahahahaha! :D

Yes, unless part of the festival involves burning poeple who don't celebrate Kwanzaa.

What's wrong with a bit of festive fun?

nothing is wrong with fun. My family celebrates Christmas, we decorate our house, we read Luke Ch 2 by candlelight on Christmas Eve, and do a daily bible story for 12 days leading up to Christmas. We don't force it on others, it's not the school's or the government's job to "promote" a holiday. I wouldn't want my child to have to be in a place where she felt that her religion was second class because they favored the majority. I also don't want to teach my kid that because you are in the majority that you are right and everyone else is wrong.

go to my other thread, i want to get a wide opinion on both of them

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10096472

so far the poll represents a slight majority for going for the majoritys religious preference, a slight minority to going for to not decorate at all, and one anarchist that wants to get rid of city hall

I don't think you have been around enough to know me very well.

Let me put it another way, my daughter goes to a school that is 96% black 4% asian and 1% white. Since the majority of her school celebrates Kwanzaa then would it be acceptable for them to decorate for that, and ignore Christmas or any other holidays?

They just don't decorate, it's fine with us. There are no "Holiday" programs, just a winter concert.
If the majority of said school did indeed celebrate Kwanzaa then I would have no problem with it decorated along those lines, even if there weren't any other religions represented. Someone else celebrating something differently doesn't offend me.

The point is more that said Yuletide decorations would make a dignified government building look stupid, a fact people of any religion can agree on.
He said decorate the city, as in street lights, a central tree, things of that sort.
Not necessarily the city hall itself.

If the majority of said school did indeed celebrate Kwanzaa then I would have no problem with it decorated along those lines, even if there weren't any other religions represented. Someone else celebrating something differently doesn't offend me.
I am not offended that people celebrate things that I don't, I just don't think that a government entity should favor one group over another.

I am not offended that people celebrate things that I don't, I just don't think that a government entity should favor one group over another.
Why not? It's not like decorating is any where close to establisment of a state religion.

I don't care if it's 99 Christians and 1 Atheist. That Atheist still has rights and if the charter of this city adopts the US Constitution, then that 1 Atheist has been ensured the right of a secular city.

No religious ornamentation on city property. PERIOD.

If that offends you, repeal the First Amendment. Good luck.

Why not? It's not like decorating is any where close to establisment of a state religion.
It's close enough as far as I am concerned. There is no reason that the city has to decorate at all.

I don't care if it's 99 Christians and 1 Atheist. That Atheist still has rights and if the charter of this city adopts the US Constitution, then that 1 Atheist has been ensured the right of a secular city.

No religious ornamentation on city property. PERIOD.

If that offends you, repeal the First Amendment. Good luck.
exactly.

I don't care if it's 99 Christians and 1 Atheist. That Atheist still has rights and if the charter of this city adopts the US Constitution, then that 1 Atheist has been ensured the right of a secular city.

No religious ornamentation on city property. PERIOD.

If that offends you, repeal the First Amendment. Good luck.

Luckily in Britain we're not bound by overarching bits of paper, which frees us from legions of pundits screaming "it's unconstitutional!". Saves a lot of hassle. We even have an established church, but nobody seems to care apart from the odd diehard secularist.

Arent people here forgeting that christmas is about the birth of Jesus, so in itself is reglious. I dont see way people would feel hurt in any way if this celeration of christanty was shown

Luckily in Britain we're not bound by overarching bits of paper, which frees us from legions of pundits screaming "it's unconstitutional!". Saves a lot of hassle. We even have an established church, but nobody seems to care apart from the odd diehard secularist.

Got to love Britain hey :)

Luckily in Britain we're not bound by overarching bits of paper, which frees us from legions of pundits screaming "it's unconstitutional!". Saves a lot of hassle. We even have an established church, but nobody seems to care apart from the odd diehard secularist.

Well ... we're not Britain. You had your chance. :p

Arent people here forgeting that christmas is about the birth of Jesus, so in itself is reglious. I dont see way people would feel hurt in any way if this celeration of christanty was shown

On public property, paid for by the people? How would you, as a Christian, feel about me slaughtering a goat on the steps of City Hall for Id-al’Adha?

Why would you feel hurt at this celebration of Islam being shown?

A picture of Chuck Norris. He roundhouse kicks Jesus's ass.

Luckily in Britain we're not bound by overarching bits of paper, which frees us from legions of pundits screaming "it's unconstitutional!". Saves a lot of hassle.
The constitution's first ten amendments are there to protect my rights.

We even have an established church, but nobody seems to care apart from the odd diehard secularist.
It makes me glad that I live in America. I am free to worship how I want, the government doesn't tell me what to believe.

The constitution's first ten amendments are there to protect my rights.


It makes me glad that I live in America. I am free to worship how I want, the government doesn't tell me what to believe.

We don't have an embedded Bill of Rights, but you do and you still have Guantanamo.

You really think that everyone in Britain is forced to be part of the C of E? Give me a break.

We don't have an embedded Bill of Rights, but you do and you still have Guantanamo.
Guantanamo doesn't have anything to do with this.

You really think that everyone in Britain is forced to be part of the C of E? Give me a break.
what would stop your government from forcing everyone to be part of the C of E? You don't have any real religious freedom, you have a government sponsored religion, if the government wanted to then they could make you participate. In America, we don't have to be a part of a religion unless we want to, and that right will never be taken away, because we have constitutional protection.

Guantanamo doesn't have anything to do with this.


what would stop your government from forcing everyone to be part of the C of E? You don't have any real religious freedom, you have a government sponsored religion, if the government wanted to then they could make you participate. In America, we don't have to be a part of a religion unless we want to, and that right will never be taken away, because we have constitutional protection.

Guantanamo has everything to do with this! Don't wax lyrical about how the wonderful US constitution gives out human rights to all and sundry while the American administration ignores them.

What would stop the government from making everyone be an Anglican? The fact that you can ask that question shows that you know nothing about Britain.

Guantanamo has everything to do with this! Don't wax lyrical about how the wonderful US constitution gives out human rights to all and sundry while the American administration ignores them.

a Guantanamo has nothing to do with the discussion about how I have religious rights in my country and how the first amendment keeps the government from enforcing a state religion on people, I assume you bring it up because you have no other good arguements to make and you just want to find something to pick at.

b The constitution doesn't grant human rights, it grants rights to American citizens.

What would stop the government from making everyone be an Anglican? The fact that you can ask that question shows that you know nothing about Britain.

Then why don't you explain to me how you have protection against that?

Then why don't you explain to me how you have protection against that?

It could not happen. True, there is nothing written in stone to say that it could not happen, but it wouldn't, for the simple reason that it's not the British way.

It could not happen. True, there is nothing written in stone to say that it could not happen, but it wouldn't, for the simple reason that it's not the British way.
you are going to leave your future up to "it's not the British way"?

brave guy. really.

I would rather have my protections spelled out, in case someone that has different ideas gets elected.

you are going to leave your future up to "it's not the British way"?

brave guy. really.

I would rather have my protections spelled out, in case someone that has different ideas gets elected.

If only America had taken some common sense from the mother country, then you wouldn't have to worry!

If only America had taken some common sense from the mother country, then you wouldn't have to worry!
We have common sense, enough sense anyway to set out our rights in writting to make sure they are never twisted into something they were never meant to be.


I think maybe we have a cultural issue. America is a melting pot, there are various different kinds of people here, maybe it's more likely for someone that thinks completely different than me to get into office here than there is in Britian.

I think maybe we have a cultural issue. America is a melting pot, there are various different kinds of people here, maybe it's more likely for someone that thinks completely different than me to get into office here than there is in Britian.

Tbh, the inertai of the British political system (we still have hereditary law-makers) doesn't exactly encourage radical actions.

for the people argueing that the government forces you to be a religion if it is established by the government, what a load of crap. you cant be forced to be any religion. mentally the state, country, world, whatever, has no control over you.

for the people argueing that the government forces you to be a religion if it is established by the government, what a load of crap. you cant be forced to be any religion. mentally the state, country, world, whatever, has no control over you.
they could forbid you from practicing your religion, forbid you to have meetings, even kill you for your beliefs (and you can't tell me that stuff like that doesn't happen in some country's that have government run religion)

A giant memorial to Chris Latta.

A giant memorial to Chris Latta.

The voice of Cobra Commander from the old GI Joe cartoon? I could get behind that!

Don't be such a spoil sport! Flashing Santa lights and bits of tinsel never hurt anyone, and always help to lighten the mood on a cold winter's night.

Decadence is sin.