General Discussion

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts) Sat Dec 5, 2015, 06:44 PM Dec 2015

Are you OK with having a National Christmas Tree, [View all]

and its official name being the National Christmas Tree?

98 votes, 2 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	Yes, it doesn't trouble me in the least.
	89 (91%)
	I'm OK with having a National Tree but the word "Christmas" should be removed.
	2 (2%)
	I'm not comfortable with having any kind of National Tree.
	3 (3%)
	I am very much opposed to any kind of National Tree.
	4 (4%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

155 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Are you OK with having a National Christmas Tree, [View all] Nye Bevan Dec 2015 OP

Hell no. mwrguy Dec 2015 #1

Christmas trees are not Christian. ManiacJoe Dec 2015 #7

yes Pagan Rosa Luxemburg Dec 2015 #95

I have a theory about the Pagan winter solstice festival and would like your opinion Yavin4 Dec 2015 #111

Evergreens Rosa Luxemburg Dec 2015 #146

not really. christmas is celebrated by many non christians JI7 Dec 2015 #10

Christmas is a big thing here in Japan Art_from_Ark Dec 2015 #144

I don't have an issue with a Christmas tree at all yeoman6987 Dec 2015 #33

It is not even close to a "Christian symbol" ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #38

What religious tradition were you raised in, if any? JudyM Dec 2015 #49

I'm a recovering Catholic ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #62

Why was it forbidden? JudyM Dec 2015 #63

Because up until the 60s or so, the Catholic Church ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #64

Oh, got it - it was a decorating issue. But you don't think the tree is a symbol of Christmas... JudyM Dec 2015 #65

So are reindeer a Christian symbol? Frosty? ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #74

Ha! No, reindeer aren't but Rudolph is, that's a Christmas song. JudyM Dec 2015 #75

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, pangaia Dec 2015 #80

This message was self-deleted by its author JudyM Dec 2015 #82

Real-life reindeer, not the other reindeer in the song! nt JudyM Dec 2015 #83

What do you mean, "not the other reindeer in this song?" pangaia Dec 2015 #88

Um, they're not any more real-life, than santa... or are you saying you believe santa is real? nt JudyM Dec 2015 #97

Of COURSE Santa is real. pangaia Dec 2015 #109

Large Advent Wreaths Drahthaardogs Dec 2015 #147

like Santa Claus redstateblues Dec 2015 #133

Christmas trees are fine...Now the Xmas doormat at the Whitehouse--- snooper2 Dec 2015 #110

At this point I am allergic to all expressions of state religion. Warren Stupidity Dec 2015 #2

There is no "state religion" in the US. That "the state" chooses to recognize that the VAST jonno99 Dec 2015 #105

as long as there's one of these, and other symbols. elleng Dec 2015 #3

Beautiful! JustAnotherGen Dec 2015 #30

For the win. Baitball Blogger Dec 2015 #39

Thanks, Blogger! elleng Dec 2015 #41

I am not really sure to which symbol you are referring. pangaia Dec 2015 #117

No national tree, no national menorah, no national Ramadan, no national prayer breakfast, no Senate merrily Dec 2015 #4

Mostly With You ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #118

Clearly the tree is there for Christmas, which is not secular. merrily Dec 2015 #119

Meh! ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #123

Consider it what you will. Almost everyone else considers it a Christmas tree. merrily Dec 2015 #124

OK ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #132

Three replies, though. merrily Dec 2015 #134

And? ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #148

No problem at all. hrmjustin Dec 2015 #5

I think it's a lovely custom and I have no problem with it. 'Tis the Season! n/t CaliforniaPeggy Dec 2015 #6

Ditto! cwydro Dec 2015 #18

I'm agnostic and I agree! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #61

Life-long atheist here: I think it's fine. Throd Dec 2015 #8

+1 ^^^ discntnt_irny_srcsm Dec 2015 #14

+2 ^^ nt dumbcat Dec 2015 #31

Why Nationalize A Symbol Of Commercial Excess Appropriated From Pagan Traditions cantbeserious Dec 2015 #9

Ha! You win! SammyWinstonJack Dec 2015 #104

It's also "appropriated" by atheists, agnostics and non-fundy types too. MADem Dec 2015 #113

Maybe continue to have the national tree, but saltpoint Dec 2015 #11

I'm an atheist and I like Christmas trees. Vinca Dec 2015 #12

Me too! etherealtruth Dec 2015 #15

I like gospel music, too. It's very weird. Vinca Dec 2015 #42

I can relate .... etherealtruth Dec 2015 #46

J S Bach pangaia Dec 2015 #89

It is a TREE... and its origins are not Christian. Pick your battles wisely. This isn't the one. hlthe2b Dec 2015 #13

Exactly. JoePhilly Dec 2015 #22

My Jewish friends repudiate that argument. They say that it is used as a Christian tree and CTyankee Dec 2015 #69

Anything can be expropriated as a symbol of any religion. The truth is the origins of the tree are hlthe2b Dec 2015 #73

Regardless of its origin it's now a symbol of a Christian holiday. Practicing Jews who take Judaism JudyM Dec 2015 #86

I have good Jewish friends who DO in fact include a Christmas tree and other similar decorations pangaia Dec 2015 #90

I'm sure they are good friends. JudyM Dec 2015 #98

Exactly right. Joe the Revelator Dec 2015 #102

"Doing IT wrong?" pangaia Dec 2015 #116

Christian.... "artifacts?" Are you saying a Chrimtmas tree is a Christian artifact? pangaia Dec 2015 #108

Dont know why you're ROFL, since it most certainly is. The star on top, the angel ornaments, etc... JudyM Dec 2015 #121

Well, I have a Jewish cousin who enjoys a Chanukah bush. MADem Dec 2015 #92

I haven't asked and one that I referred to is now deceased, otherwise I would ask her. CTyankee Dec 2015 #107

I think it's all about the lights in the dead of winter, myself. I don't think most people look MADem Dec 2015 #112

gotta have something to get you through... CTyankee Dec 2015 #115

most jews i know put up a tree themselves JI7 Dec 2015 #145

No problem at all. In fact, I love it. eom lunamagica Dec 2015 #16

as long as I don't have to cut it, decorate it, or care for it! niyad Dec 2015 #17

Is it fair to say that the US is a Christian country? oberliner Dec 2015 #19

not in the official sense but treestar Dec 2015 #59

Except Docreed2003 Dec 2015 #154

Interesting treestar Dec 2015 #155

Yes, it is MFrohike Dec 2015 #72

Meh. n/t X_Digger Dec 2015 #20

I'm against it because they cut down a beautiful, mature tree to have it. Coventina Dec 2015 #21

Live Tree bpj62 Dec 2015 #34

Wow, didn't know that, the logistics must be crazy. joshcryer Dec 2015 #44

It's been a live tree for a while now (nt) Recursion Dec 2015 #43

+1 darkangel218 Dec 2015 #106

I'm OK, but it should be plastic, so it symbolically represents our economy HereSince1628 Dec 2015 #23

Atheist here, don't care LittleBlue Dec 2015 #24

I don't give a rip what they call it Warpy Dec 2015 #25

Me too. leftyladyfrommo Dec 2015 #47

Don't care personally but whatthehey Dec 2015 #26

Seriously? With all the shit going on around the world we need to worry about this shit? OffWithTheirHeads Dec 2015 #27

+1!! RiverLover Dec 2015 #35

I'm in favor of ALL trees Joanie Baloney Dec 2015 #28

I dig that idea! n/t Wilms Dec 2015 #68

Thanks, Wilms Joanie Baloney Dec 2015 #70

I am okay with it. Kalidurga Dec 2015 #29

Yeah I have no issue at all. romanic Dec 2015 #32

Establishment clause permits it: Just not forcing the specific ideology. lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #36

I want to be poutraged but I can't seem to muster up the care necessary to do so. ileus Dec 2015 #37

Fine with it ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #40

Celebrating the Holiday Season includes all holidays - - like Christmas. baldguy Dec 2015 #45

I view Christmas trees as being pretty secular. Codeine Dec 2015 #48

I want a Satan Tree Facility Inspector Dec 2015 #50

How about a Festivus pole? MADem Dec 2015 #93

The money spent on it (including person hours, electricity, etc) should be spent on serving the poor JudyM Dec 2015 #51

I"m also OK with a National Menorah and a national (really big) colander Ferd Berfel Dec 2015 #52

All traditions should be equally represented Rebkeh Dec 2015 #53

I object to the fact that 2naSalit Dec 2015 #54

It's a live tree. Glassunion Dec 2015 #55

Sanity is winning by 90% Reter Dec 2015 #56

Sycamores are prettier and Eucalyptus smell better. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2015 #57

I am a life long Atheist and I celebrate every holiday I can manage! Walk away Dec 2015 #58

One of the biggest thrills of my life was visiting a redwood forrest yuiyoshida Dec 2015 #60

Absolutely Liberal_in_LA Dec 2015 #66

As long as it's not a Merry Christmas doormat pinboy3niner Dec 2015 #67

Pinboy. Nay Dec 2015 #96

fffttttttt Sissyk Dec 2015 #103

The Christmas Tree will be lit when the President pushes the buzzard. nt JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2015 #122

The buzzard needs rung! nt pinboy3niner Dec 2015 #128

Push the buzzard, Frank! n/m ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #151

Yule regret that underpants Dec 2015 #129

FGS, should we do away with all holidays?? All cultural history? ALL %^U&$$@# JOY?! WinkyDink Dec 2015 #71

I do not have enough time to expound on how little I care one way or another Scootaloo Dec 2015 #76

It is a pagan symbol to start with. Dawson Leery Dec 2015 #77

If a Christmas tree was even REMOTELY related to Christ Nevernose Dec 2015 #78

As a Jew I can assure you that to many non-Christians, Christmas is very much about Christianity. nt JudyM Dec 2015 #84

Christmas, my favorite pagan holiday. TIME TO PANIC Dec 2015 #79

Not a problem with it ronnykmarshall Dec 2015 #81

There are a few thousand things more important to me. CBGLuthier Dec 2015 #85

Isn't the idea to drag the tree into the house in the rather skewed hope that doing this MADem Dec 2015 #87

You all should read "When Santa was a Shaman" about the pagan roots of our holiday symbols Hekate Dec 2015 #91

pagan symbols don't bother me, but sometimes the trees make me sneeze. Turn CO Blue Dec 2015 #94

I'm in favor of any tree JEB Dec 2015 #99

100% WillowTree Dec 2015 #100

I want a National Festivus Pole... Historic NY Dec 2015 #101

Not really, but it's waaaaaaay low on the list. (n/t) Iggo Dec 2015 #114

No way! No pagan symbols on public property! KamaAina Dec 2015 #120

LOL - some religious folks are just so god damn stupid. randys1 Dec 2015 #126

I would like to see a National Yule Log. yellowcanine Dec 2015 #125

Yes - it's Christmas time. 840high Dec 2015 #127

It's just a tree with lights abakan Dec 2015 #130

A non-issue with me. Rex Dec 2015 #131

as a way to promote conspicuous consumption during the winter dembotoz Dec 2015 #135

As long as it's not a National Merry Christmas Doormat, I'm cool REP Dec 2015 #136

A National Christmas Buzzard would be fun, though (nt) Nye Bevan Dec 2015 #137

GMTA pinboy3niner Dec 2015 #140

Damn my eyes! REP Dec 2015 #142

I demand a Festivus tree. Vinca Dec 2015 #138

You've already failed Festivus 101. ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #152

The name Christmas Tree should just be changed to Commerce Tree to go with the Commerce Day it Todays_Illusion Dec 2015 #139

I've been OK with it since, oh, 1963 or so Art_from_Ark Dec 2015 #141

if it helps to remind one Christian to quit shooting up clinics, it'll be worth it Bucky Dec 2015 #143

Well I'm kind of a pagan. I celebrate Beltane and Samhuinn. sibelian Dec 2015 #149

I'm OK with it Omaha Steve Dec 2015 #150

Christmas has become more of a cultural tradition, and less about Christianity Chemisse Dec 2015 #153