Every year around the holidays there is controversy over saying "Merry Christmas" versis "Happy Holidays." People who are not Catholic get affended by others who say "Merry Christmas" when certain individuals do not celebrate the holiday.
This year the controversy was directed toward malls. After Thanksgiving, malls decorate for the holidays with lights, trees, and bows. However, those who do not celebrate this holiday create conflict because it doesn't show fairness at a public place.
One rabbi aimed his religious expressions toward Colonie Center Mall suggesting they display an 18-foot Hanukkah menorah. Rabbi Yaahov Weiss sent up a meeting with the mall officials, and they didn't say no. Yet, they claimed that the Hanukkah menorah was a "religious" symbol whereas, the trees and lights were just "holiday"items. On the other hand, the CEO of the mall said they will represent Hanukkah in some way.
The holiday season is a time to decorate and enjoy life. If going to a public place and an individual gets affended by the decorations, it is a problem. However, I agree with the holiday items. You don't see crosses symbolizing the Christain religion do you? and certainly Santa Claus represents the holidays, not exactly a religious emblem. Nevertheless, blue lights are also an attribute to the jewish holiday, so maybe public places should decorate with these colors.
Whether one celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah, this season is a time for family, friends, and fun. If putting up decorations and making a place look nice is such a conflict, maybe there shouldn't be any decorations at all.
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