Share

'Human Rights Commission' Says US Town Should Stop Annual Christmas Tradition

Share

The Durham, New Hampshire, Human Rights Commission has recommended that the town cease its annual Christmas tree lighting tradition on public land out of concern it promotes the Christian faith at the exclusion of others.

The commission was established by the town council for the purpose of eliminating “prejudice and discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, place of birth, age, sex, sexual orientation, (and) gender identity,” among a multitude of other categories of people.

The issue of the Christmas tree being a focal point of discrimination came up after the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center in Durham asked for the menorah to be placed next to the tree, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported.

Town Administrator Todd Selig told the paper Durham officials were not comfortable leaving a menorah up during the eight nights of Hanukkah over fear the religious symbol would be vandalized.

A menorah, which was stolen in nearby Chestnut Hill, outside of Boston, Massachusetts, was recovered last week, but it was significantly damaged.

Trending:
Federal Judge Has Bad News for Hunter Biden, Says There's Zero Evidence His Charges Are Politically Motivated

The Durham council authorized a one-night event marking the beginning of Hanukkah instead of leaving the menorah on public land.

Selig noted, “The menorah raised a broader concern for me. I have a concern about the display of religious symbols on public property. We should have it for all, or none at all.”

The administrator further stated there is not room to have symbols from all religions on the small plot of land called Memorial Park.

The Human Rights Commission discussed the matter on Nov. 26, which led to the panel’s recommendation to end its Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

A possible alternative being considered is holding a “winter carnival.”

Kitty Marple, chairman of the Human Rights Commission and the town council, said she could support the carnival theme.

Related:
NFL Reverses Course, Moves to Overshadow Jesus with Unprecedented Schedule Change

“I am a person of no religious affiliation. These things don’t bother me, but I understand how they might bother someone else,” Marple said.

Rabbi Berel Slavaticki with Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center told WTBS he is not trying to interfere with the annual Christmas tree lighting tradition.

Do you think a Christmas tree is religious symbol?

“The fact that the city allows for some to publicly express their culture is a good thing, and we hope that continues,” Slavaticki said in a statement. “To stop people from openly expressing their particular faith seems un-American and would be a terrible loss for our town and our country.”

Slavaticki further related that his center is committed to working with town officials “to create a path forward that will allow everyone to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed rights.”

“Not allowing a menorah for fear of anti-Semitism only emboldens and enables those who hate,” he said. “After all, that’s exactly what they’d want to see; our menorah not allowed.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right of towns to have Christmas displays, including nativity scenes, as long as they are inclusive of other holiday traditions.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , ,
Share
Randy DeSoto has written more than 2,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




Conversation