Xmas tree survives French hijab law

[CHIMO]

A disputed Christmas tree is back on display at a French high school near Paris but only after officials declared it a pagan symbol that did not violate the official separation of church and state.

Principal Thierry Vieusses, who took down the tree in Lagny-sur-Marne last week when pupils challenged it, reversed his decision after the local mayor and French media ridiculed his reading of a new law on secularism in state schools.

"The tree was a symbol of year-end festivities long before Christianity existed," Pascal Pagny, mayor of the town just east of Paris, told Europe 1 radio on Saturday. "It is completely secular and pagan."

The tradition of decorating evergreen pine trees during the shortest days in late December dates back to ancient times and was taken on by Christians only much later.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/05E40EA7-8A8C-486E-BF0E-8F257310AB5E.htm

[Liberal Veteran]

1. That's not true....

According to the bible, baby Jeebus himself decorated the first xmas tree in his manger and made yule logs!

Actually, I guess it is, but try to say it's a pagan symbol in the US and you freak a lot of people out.

[YankeyMCC]

2. But

Why are Pagan beliefs exempt from the law?

[cestpaspossible]

3. Because it's the one true religon

Don't you read Asterix?

[Sub Zero]

4. This is why americans

should not meddle in others affairs until they actually bother to learn about the culture.

In europe pagan commonly means "with out religion". Only an american would get off thinking pagan = a religion. (which is actually based out of right wing hate speech... pagan in america is commonly associated as not being christian, and thus being evil or satanic to the christian fundamentalists and thus why so many americans seem to equate the word with a satanic religion) In other words, it was ruled the tree was not religious in nature. (which is correct, IMO. As far as I know there is no christmas tree in the bible)

So, for example, if I called you a pagan in europe I would basically be saying you had no religion.

Next time please bother to do your homework.

[YankeyMCC]

5. Next time

Perhaps you can just answer a question without insulting the person who asked it. I'm not meddling in anyones affairs, this is a discussion board and I was simply asking a question.

If what you say is true about how the pagan belief systems is thought of in Europe...ok. But I know a few people in America and in Canada who consider themselves Pagans, members of a religion based on Pagan beliefs.

In fact I know there's at least one person on DU who falls into this same category.

[jellybelly]

7. ....yeah right

it could've taken a new meaning in Europe but it is a form of religion.

[HuckleB]

8. Oh, those stupid, ignorant Americans!

Uh, yeah, not on this one. Have you actually spent much time in Europe? Well, maybe this will help you on your next trip.

BBC: Religion and Ethics: Paganism
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/history/history.shtml

[CJCRANE]

6. My thoughts exactly...

Ancient pagan beliefs are still a form of religion, based on nature spirits etc. Paganism is not the same as secularism.

[HuckleB]

9. A Vince Guaraldi in my head kick.