Off putting fed holiday celebration or am I being too sensitive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were Jewish I’d be irritated that they didn’t make any effort to throw a few menorahs in there for good measure. I mean, they are probably throwing the party DURING Hanukkah for Pete’s sake.

I'm Jewish and honestly, I find it more annoying that my agency thinks if they stick a menorah and a Kwanzaa display alongside the many Christmas-themed decorations, they are being "inclusive." In my opinion religion doesn't belong in a federal workplace at all. (Private workplace is different.) I also find it weird that non-Christians would celebrate Hanukkah or use Jewish religious symbols.

However, I would never say anything. It's not at all a big deal in the scheme of things, plus other people enjoy it and I know I'm in the minority on this one, so I just keep my mouth shut and avoid the decoration parties (where I know I'd be asked about the authenticity of the display and would have to bite my tongue. Not many Jews at my small agency.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wreaths, in December, are all about Christmas. All those saying it's fine are either Christians or live in a rural areas where no one other than Christians live (how's that for stereotyping - PC Police be damned). Theres no place for it in a public office.

No, wreaths in December are pagan symbols symbolizing strength (against the winter cold) used to celebrate the winter solstice. Although incorporated into Christmas traditions, it really is no more related to Christianity than easter eggs, which are also a pagan ritual symbolizing the fertility of Springtime in celebrating the Vernal Equinox. Christianity has adopted various traditions from the pagan celebrations, but that doesn't make them Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wreaths, in December, are all about Christmas. All those saying it's fine are either Christians or live in a rural areas where no one other than Christians live (how's that for stereotyping - PC Police be damned). Theres no place for it in a public office.

No, wreaths in December are pagan symbols symbolizing strength (against the winter cold) used to celebrate the winter solstice. Although incorporated into Christmas traditions, it really is no more related to Christianity than easter eggs, which are also a pagan ritual symbolizing the fertility of Springtime in celebrating the Vernal Equinox. Christianity has adopted various traditions from the pagan celebrations, but that doesn't make them Christian.

Maybe, but notice that judiasm, muslim, islamic,etc have not adopted this pagan tradition

[Anonymous]

Wreaths are pagan if that comforts you any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wreaths, in December, are all about Christmas. All those saying it's fine are either Christians or live in a rural areas where no one other than Christians live (how's that for stereotyping - PC Police be damned). Theres no place for it in a public office.

No, wreaths in December are pagan symbols symbolizing strength (against the winter cold) used to celebrate the winter solstice. Although incorporated into Christmas traditions, it really is no more related to Christianity than easter eggs, which are also a pagan ritual symbolizing the fertility of Springtime in celebrating the Vernal Equinox. Christianity has adopted various traditions from the pagan celebrations, but that doesn't make them Christian.

Maybe, but notice that judiasm, muslim, islamic,etc have not adopted this pagan tradition

Muslims are the followers of Islam. Please educate yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist and I have a wreath on my front door all year round. I have a beautiful daisy one for the spring and summer, a berry and orange leaf wreath for the Autumn, and a pine wreath for the winter. I honestly never thought of wreaths as remotely religious

I agree completely

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So decorate it with office supplies. Yes, you are overreacting.

I'm thinking red stapler...

[Anonymous]

If this is not troll, OP is definitely overreacting. Prayers in the workplace (especially government) would be completely inappropriate. Having a wreathe decorating competition is not even remotely close to that.

People shouldn't have to participate in things like if they don't want to for any reason (including laziness). But it's really not that serious. A wreath is decoration made out of various materials shaped into a ring. It can mean whatever you want it to mean.

-Atheist Asian who has always thought of wreaths as decorations not religious symbols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So decorate it with office supplies. Yes, you are overreacting.

I'm thinking red stapler...

Lol. I would totally do this.

[Anonymous]

Wait, is my tax payer money going towards this?

[Anonymous]

I agree this is rather small in the scheme of things, but think people are being deliberately obtuse to claim that a wreath is not associated with Christmas. Evergreen wreaths come out once a year: at Christmas. They're sold alongside Christmas trees and in Christmas catalogs. Yes they had their roots in pagan ritual, but now they symbolize Christmas as much as a Christmas tree does.

[Anonymous]

Anything done this time of year is associated with Christmas. Door decorating is associated with Christmas.

That having been said, Lighten UP, OP.

Jewish Fed

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are overreacting. Wreaths are not religious.

[Anonymous]

And, I place wreaths on my door all year long. Search wreaths on Pinterest. Fall weather, spring wreaths, Valentine's day wreaths, summer wreaths, winter wreaths, and holiday wreaths.

It's not a special thing done only at Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And, I place wreaths on my door all year long. Search wreaths on Pinterest. Fall weather, spring wreaths, Valentine's day wreaths, summer wreaths, winter wreaths, and holiday wreaths.

It's not a special thing done only at Christmas.

A lot of people only do it at Christmas though. And that is surely the case for these workplaces.