Christmas Trees on College Campus
Should Public Universities Display Secular Holiday Decorations?
Oct 9, 2007
Christmas trees: do they belong on public college and university campuses? And how about other decorations and traditions that traditionally are associated with Christmas but aren't religious in nature-- such as wreaths, lights, secular Christmas carols, or campus visits from Santa Claus? Additionally, should secular images associated with other religions--such as Hanukkah dreydels--be allowed on campus?
Primarily, this is an issue at public colleges and universities that receive taxpayer funding, although some private schools are dealing with this issue as well. And this issue extends beyond college campuses, as government buildings, downtowns, and other public areas are debating whether or not to exclude Christmas symbols. This has led Bill O'Reilly of Fox News and other conservative pundits to declare that, as John Gibson wrote in his 2005 book, there is a "War on Christmas."
In recent years, this has become one of the most heated debates at schools around the United States, and in other nations as well. It's the kind of issue that hits people on both sides of the argument on a very emotional level, so it's not an easy one to debate. Many people who oppose Christmas decorations feel that the other side is intolerant and insensitive. Others who support secular images of Christmas either don't see what the big deal is or feel that Christians are being persecuted.
So what are both sides of the issue? Here's a summary of some of the reasons why people oppose Christmas decorations on college campuses, and why some people support them. Of course, keep in mind that there are middle ground positions as well. For example, some schools have opted to have fewer Christmas decorations, and others have included holiday decorations that represent other traditions along side of Christmas trees.
Arguments Against Christmas Decorations
- Public colleges and universities are funded by taxpayer dollars and are part of the state. The U.S. Constitution guarantees a separation of church and state, and therefore it a violation of Constitutional principles to directly or indirectly promote a religion.
- For Americans who are not Christian, December can feel like a time of exclusion. Colleges and universities need to make all students feel welcome and included, and a faith-neutral campus is the best way to do this.
- Christians are by far the majority in the United States--and that's exactly why non-Christians need certain kinds of protections against the supermajority in order to maintain religious freedom in America.
- Although some would argue that Santas and Christmas trees and such aren't really about Christmas, this isn't the case. These symbols may not be the equivalent of a manger scene, but nonetheless, just about anyone who looks at a lighted tree or a Santa Claus thinks "Christmas."
- People who argue that "Christmas is for everybody" or that it is an American holiday that everyone celebrates maybe well-meaning, but they are wrong. Christmas is not for everybody-- it's the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Many non-Christians feel extremely uncomfortable when they are asked to partake in celebrations of a religion that is not their own-- just as many Christians would feel uncomfortable if they felt obligated to participate in Ramadan or Yom Kippur.
- Excluding Christmas from college campuses does not constitute a "war on Christmas." Come December (or November, or October) Christmas is everywhere in American culture--in the malls, on the TV, in people's homes, and, of course, in churches. Christmas and Christianity are in no danger of going away, even if some college campuses say no to Santa.
Arguments For Christmas Decorations
- In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court (in Lynch v. Donnelly) declared that public Christmas displays are not unconstitutional.
- Americans have the Constitutional right to express their religious beliefs and traditions. Forbidding colleges and universities to post symbols associated with Christmas is an infringement of religious liberties.
- College campuses have an obligation to make all students feel welcome and included-- and that's exactly why it's important to have holiday decorations on campus. These decorations are comforting to the majority of most American college students. They remind students of the comforts of home in the middle of the angst of finals week.
- Christians are by far the largest majority of Americans, and therefore Christian traditions (especially ones that are secular) belong as a part of public life. The minority should not have the right to ruin the holiday fun of the majority.
- Secular Christian symbols are traditions and not religious symbols. Traditions like Christmas trees and lights are actually Pagan in origin. Winter festivities and lights have always been an important part of human history because these are ways to fight off the gloominess of the cold.
- In the United States, Christmas has become both a religious holiday and a secular one. For all practical purposes, Christmas is a holiday that's for everybody-- at least when it comes to secular traditions such as exchanging gifts and lighting trees.
- Christmas trees, Santa, presents--these are all such joyful things! People need to stop being Scrooges.
Hopefully, this article has shed light on some of arguments on both sides of this issue. If this is an issue you feel strongly about, perhaps you might spend a moment trying to understand where others are coming from in regards to this issue.
