Big update (12.03): HERE
For three years in a row, the German Christmas Village of Dilworth Plaza in Philadelphia has set up wooden booths and tree vendors on the west side of City Hall. But yesterday something was amiss. The tall metal archways signaling the entrances to the shops held just one word – ‘Village.’ Turns out the word ‘Christmas’ was removed on the plaza’s archways and will be replaced with the word ‘Holiday‘ at the request of Managing Director Richard Negrin.
(Philly) City spokesman Mark McDonald said Negrin asked for the change after the city received complaints from workers and residents.
“As a city of great diversity, one shouldn’t be surprised that there’s a difference of views when it comes to symbols and words,” McDonald said.
Thomas Bauer, of the German American Marketing Inc., which runs the Village, said he was happy to change the sign. He said the brochures and the posters would keep the Christmas Village title.
“People have to go to public buildings. They shouldn’t feel offended,” Bauer said, stressing that the name was not intended to upset anyone.
Meanwhile, Cambridge public schools are initiating Muslim holidays: HERE
Back to our story…
“It’s been very successful the last two years. People like the name. We built it like a German Christmas market. We did not think a lot about it.”
With Nat King Cole music blasting through loudspeakers, and evergreen trees at every turn, the village is clearly focused on Dec. 25. But the ornaments and decorations for sale are largely of the secular variety, like elves, Santas and colored balls.
Here’s the Christmas Holiday Village online ad:
Thomas Bauer gets some credit for the removal of ‘Christmas.’ Give him a call:
German American Marketing, Inc.
Thomas Bauer
The German Society of Pennsylvania
611 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
info@philachristmas.com
Redefining of ‘Christianity’: HERE
This is ridiculous. It’s a German Christmas tradition! Who are these people that are offended by this? I consider myself atheist and I couldn’t care less if you use the word “christmas.”
People need less time on their hands. You don’t need to be -- and shouldn’t be- offended by other people’s harmless traditions. This reaction shows way more intollerance than putting up the sign did.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Patriot Ray , Gael Ware. Gael Ware said: Philadelphia's #Christmas Village' Renamed 'Holiday Village' Due To Complaints http://bit.ly/h4xniM [...]
Philadelphia --the known city of our founders. Your a traitor to the Constitution, and liberty. This if you have forgotten is the USA. Christians/ Christmas has been around for a hundred and more yrs. Ever since the muslims moved into this country and trying to change it to Islamic ways and sharia law . Our so called Christians have become gutless. You have caved to these threats. Where in the hell is your backbone, guessing it is around your ankles. Our founders fought for this country and your giving it up like a bunch of wimps.Shame on you.What is CAIR threatening you. FIGHT LIKE YOU MEAN IT. It is CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.!!!!
Ms. Kelly,
I fail to see where in this article it is mentioned that Muslims were the people or the only people that were complaining. I don’t believe that there should be Muslim propaganda in public schools any more than there should be Christian propaganda in public schools. Step down from your soapbox and invest in becoming a little more informed and well-rounded. After you’re (note: not YOUR) down from there, perhaps a lesson in spelling and correct sentence structure could be of use.
Oh, and Merry Fairytale Based on the Ancient Pagan Celebration of the Winter Solstice
Christmas is and has been for 2000 years, a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. You or no one else are required to celebrate this birthday. So how about leaving Christians alone to observe their holy day.
I doubt that it was Muslims complaining. I can only think of one group who constantly whines every Christmas when a manger scene is set up in public or a cross is displayed in public. Christians had better stand up NOW. Screw political correctness and BOYCOTT the event. GROW SOME COHONES. Jeez!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.
X,
‘Grow some cohones’… You’re exactly right:
http://sadhillnews.com/2010/09/24/weak-kneed-christians
“Philadelphia –the known city of our founders. Your a traitor to the Constitution, and liberty. This if you have forgotten is the USA. Christians/ Christmas has been around for a hundred and more yrs. Ever since the muslims moved into this country and trying to change it to Islamic ways and sharia law . Our so called Christians have become gutless. You have caved to these threats. Where in the hell is your backbone, guessing it is around your ankles. Our founders fought for this country and your giving it up like a bunch of wimps.Shame on you.What is CAIR threatening you. FIGHT LIKE YOU MEAN IT. It is CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.!!!! quote from BarbaR EL
[...] another one to the win column. Public outcry brings ‘Christmas’ back to [...]
[...] tree. Both described it as a pine tree decorated with cardinal and gold lights and ornaments.Philadelphia’s ‘Christmas Village’ Renamed ‘Holiday Village’ Due To ComplaintsFor three years in a row, the German Christmas Village of Dilworth Plaza in Philadelphia has set up [...]
Now that the muslims and other religious congregations have come to our country we no longer can say Merry Christmas it now is holidays. Shame we have to respect other countries when we visit and respect their holidays, but foreigners don’t have to when they come here. So many years we have said Merry Christmas but no longer because it offense them. Who’s country is it anymore. So said. The city this country was first built on.
Our country was built on freedom of Religion, not Christianity alone. If there was a Rhomadon Village, Hannukah Village, or Kwanza Village, there would be uprising. Just because Christianity is the dominant religion in America does not mean it can dictate everything in our lives. If a Jewish person came up to me and greeted me as it was their holiday, I would simply return it. The people who are not believers in the Faith are afraid to offend this so-called Christians, and neutralizing things like “Christmas Village” is a subtle way of telling those prideful, up-turned-nosed Christians that there are still other religions. And if you think they’re so violent, find any one particular anti-semetic religion in our country that goes out of their way to stomp on Christian beliefs, when we had what, the KKK, skinheads, and Nazis? Sure, they were extremes, but they operated on the same principles. They are merely trying to find a way to coexist in the land of the Free (supposedly).
[...] why the decision by the NFL and the Eagles, with input from the city of Philadelphia, to postpone last night’s game because of a snowstorm that isn’t really all that (we [...]
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