Ho, ho, nope FGCU (Florida Gulf Coast U) to limit holiday decor

[sabra]

Source: news-press

'Political correctness' cited as reason

Christmas is just 30 days away, but Santa Claus won't be stopping by Florida Gulf Coast University this holiday.

He's not allowed on campus.

FGCU administration has banned all holiday decorations from common spaces on campus and canceled a popular greeting card design contest, which is being replaced by an ugly sweater competition. In Griffin Hall, the university's giving tree for needy preschoolers has been transformed into a "giving garden."

The moves boil down to political correctness.

"Public institutions, including FGCU, often struggle with how best to observe the season in ways that honor and respect all traditions," President Wilson Bradshaw wrote in a memo to faculty and staff Thursday. "This is a challenging issue each year at FGCU, and 2008 is no exception. While it may appear at times that a vocal majority of opinion is the only view that is held, this is not always the case."

Read more: http://www.news-press.com/article/20081125/NEWS0104/811250380/1075&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

[hlthe2b]

1. Santa is secular...

though his being turned into a corporatist symbol does annoy me, I don't quite see why the ban of Santa-- under the guise of avoiding a preference for Christian holidays.

[MineralMan]

2. Santa is a just a jumble

for SATAN! Every True Christian™ knows that. :sarcasm:

[msongs]

3. xmas would callapse and disappear without all the pagan traditions

children would want nothing to do with the religion if they weren't getting the bribes and treats in December lol.

Must be SOMETHING better to do with all the cash that is spent during this time of year.

Msongs

[TrogL]

4. Nobody says you can't celebrate Christmas

All the "politically correct" crowd are asking is for the other religions to have their time as well.

[Bette Noir]

5. Speaking as a secular ex-Christian,

I *love* Santa Claus.

There are two distinct holidays celebrated on December 25, both called "Christmas." There is a religious holiday, celebrated with church services and manger scenes. I have nothing to do with that one. There is also a secular holiday, celebrated with parties, exchanges if gifts, and feasts of cookies. I *love* that holiday, and Santa is its mascot.

[sledgehammer]

10. I agree with you...

I think Christmas is more a part of American culture than a religious celebration. And people should understand that. There's a cultural/traditional component of Christmas that trumps the religious aspect. Just like Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc.

I am not Christian (and I didn't grow up in America), but I have always been happy to wish others a Merry Christmas, and will always do so. I'll wish anyone anything really if they are celebrating the event. If someone wishes me Merry Christmas, I'm really happy about it. Wish me Happy Holidays, that's great too! And I would hope Americans living abroad would react similarly to local holidays and customs.

Christmas has been celebrated for centuries in this country and its cultural/traditional value has trumped its religious value. Just like Sunday has historically been a day off because of religious reasons, but it doesn't hold a primarily religious value anymore.

Other religious holidays aren't part of American culture. Sure let's celebrate those too. But to give them parity with Christmas? I don't agree with that.

[Javaman]

6. why do they hate christmas? nt

[madrchsod]

7. oh well gives the right wing something to talk about

i guess they`ll blame this on the muslims led by obama

[Sabriel]

8. I hate the term "politically correct"

How about "culturally sensitive"? Or "aware of others"? Or "not promoting one religion's traditions 24/7"?

One of our program assistants used to put up a "Giving Tree" each year, until I complained on behalf of two Jewish students who felt powerless to say anything to the administration.

Feel free to put up all the holiday decorations you want...on your own property. But they're not appropriate for public spaces populated by followers of many (and no) faiths.

[Doremus]

12. Is a "giving tree" religious in nature? I think a lot of this is in the eye of the beholder.

i.e. someone looking for a fight will usually find one.

A better compromise, imo, would have been a tree devoid of religious symbols. Without angels, stars, nativities, etc., a spruce tree with glitter and pledge forms is nothing but a conduit to solicit charitable donations. No dogma or ideology at all to offend anybody. Unless there's a religion I'm unaware of somewhere that takes offense to sharing our good fortune with others less fortunate ...?

[Sabriel]

13. How is a decorated tree around Christmas not a religious symbol?

AFAIK, no other religion uses an evergreen (with gifts under it) as a symbol.

(And I neglected to mention it had angels/stars on it....)

[Doremus]

14. How IS it a religious symbol?

Are there evergreens in Bethlehem now? :shrug:

Anyway, like many aspects of Christian holidays, the tree thing was purloined from the pagans. I seriously don't think a dead tree, devoid of any religious decoration, would be claimed by any religious group, Christian or otherwise, as symbolic of much of anything.

[Zhade]

15. No, because giving is not something only the religious do.

NT!

[DavidDvorkin]

9. Good

It won't last. There'll be lots of hysterical screaming and the college will be forced to give in to the barbarians, but good for them for trying.

[pattmarty]

11. Oh, oh, better call that ole Xmas saviour Bill O'Reilley to the rescue.