Danny is dead on about the pagan origins.

If you really want a long, difficult read about this topic, pick up the book "Germanization of Early Christianity." It goes into scholarly level detail about how the Germanic tribes (pagans) influenced Christianity (Catholicism) as it spread across Europe.

From this morning's State Journal of the City of the Perpetually Offended:

Separation of Church and State was meant to keep the "state" outa the church, NOT the church outa the "state".

The first amendment doesn't say anything about separation of church and state. It says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." For whatever reason, we've taken this to mean that any government involvement with religion is bad. But, if you just look at what the text says, it would seem that it only applies to congress, and only to laws that congress makes. If the founders wanted it to apply to the other two branches of government, they would have specifically listed them, but they didn't. And if they wanted it to apply to any government involvement with religion, they could have, but again, they didn't. They seemed to only apply it to the legislative branch. If they wanted to keep religion out of government, they could have said something like "No member of the government shall promote or prohibit any religion or religious activity, and shall not participate in religious activities" So it would seem that a Christmas tree in a government building is fine, as long as the legislature didn't appropriate money for it, and certainly calling it a Christmas tree is fine.

I've had some form of Christmas tree in my house every year.. Because I can, no one ever said I couldn't, or told me I had to. well except maybe the wife.
That said when I worked for the city I would not let them order me to put up Christmas decorations.. I did put up Holiday decorations though..
Seems to me it's the self proclaimed "Good" Christians that complain the most about being oppressed.. If that is true why then are there 5 churches with in a half mile of my house? Can't count the number in our city..Who oppressed them? None paying property taxes that I know of either? Why? So they are supposed to have no voice in Government.. Right!
Seem to me if they were all on the same page with their belief there would be only a need for one church, one god.
They can't figure it out for them selves yet want to tell everyone else how to be..

I will see ya all for the solstice I will be the one dancing naked around the bonfire :-) Now that is a celebration.....

Mac

I am tired of whiney people who get offended by every little thing. no matter ones religious belief or lack there of, how does a Christmas tree alter anyone's right to believe as they choose? putting up a tree doesn't force anyone to do anything.

forcing someone to participate in prayer, or attend a religious rite, is unconstitutional. there is nothing unconstitutional about a display.

personally I think tax dollars should not be used but it would be a simple thing for a church, or group of churches, to solicit donations every year for a tree at the capital.

Exactly

Mark I don't believe I want to watch you dance naked around a fire. I am afraid of recurring nightmares.

X3

Ever's quailification for governor was serving as Superintendent of Public Education. And our public schools are glowing with achievement lol

He is a gun grabber also!

LOL.

Iv'e seen Mark with clothes on and that's not even pretty I can't imagine him even dancing with clothes on. LOL

Danny, he has toned it down some after his hip replacement although he still has more moves than a rookie running back.
It's like bib overalls meets poetry in motion.

Zim

More like can't get my fly down and got a take a leak real bad .. can't find a corner to hide in dance..LMAO!

Mac

Adam picked the apple?

More letters in today's Journal of the Perpetually Offended: