Dispute at Joplin, Mo., senior housing complex over religious Christmas decorations

[rug]

ASSOCIATED PRESS
1 hr ago

JOPLIN, Mo. • Residents of a senior housing complex in Joplin say they are upset that managers required them to remove religious Christmas decorations from common areas throughout the 65-unit building.

Some residents of Mercy Village in Joplin said for years they have used similar decorations — such as Christmas trees, candles and Nativity scenes — but were told to take down religious symbols this year, The Joplin Globe reported.

The complex's nonprofit owner, Denver-based Mercy Housing Inc., said it must follow the federal Fair Housing Act because it receives funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That act prohibits discrimination by housing providers on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability.

Resident Linda Hopper said the decorations in a second-floor public area made it feel welcoming and festive. But after the management's directive, all the decorations were taken down.

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/dispute-at-joplin-mo-senior-housing-complex-over-religious-christmas/article_e02b64a9-d5f6-5581-94fc-80605854f6b9.html

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Religious things don't bother me at all.

Especially at Xmas and Easter.

I like Xmas. I like all the lights. I like the nativity scenes.

It reminds me of nice Christmases we had when I was little.

I don't do Xmas now. I don't have any family and I always have to work. So it's really nice to see all the Xmas stuff.
.

[rug]

2. Make sure you log in on Christmas Day and say hi.

[hrmjustin]

3. That stinks!

[elleng]

4. Foolish.

Allowing everyone to decorate as they wish is NOT discrimination.

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. I wonder if they allow people to decorate their own room?

I don't see what that would hurt. They could have a little tree or nativity scene.

My 100 year old aunt lives on a fancy retirement community and they really decorate at Xmas but I don't think there are any religious things. They have a beautiful tree and swags and flower arrangements.

[HAB911]

6. All they would have needed to ensure compliance

would have been to add a Satanist display, a Festivus Pole, and something giving credit to the "season" to Sol, the giver of all life.

[rug]

7. All they would have needed was a resident to request it.

[HAB911]

8. Yeah, no one in their right mind in a place like that would.

Supremacists would make what's left of their life a living hell.

[guillaumeb]

9. If the complex allows decorations from every religion, as well as a colander for the Pastafarians,

and allows decorations for every holiday, I see no reason to prohibit decorating.

[okasha]

10. Sounds like these decorations were put up by the residents themselves.

Which means that the managers, who must be in compliance with anti-discrimination laws, were themselves guilty of discrimination.

Scrooge.