So sorry our holiday spirit offends you!

[Aeris]

We have BOTH freedom of expression AND the establishment clause! This is not france, people. (unless you are in france, of course. But I'm assuming you're in the US - please correct me if I'm wrong.) We don't make people practice or celebrate their religion in dark closets.

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

France has a very different relationship to freedom of religion and secularism compared to the US. I think the latest issue that sparked international media attention was the banning of the hijab in the school system. In the US, that would never fly - we are fiercely protective of a persons right to express religious affiliation, even while within the public sphere. In France, the development of religious freedom is considered to be more a private affair - you can do whatever you want in your privacy sphere, but in the public sphere there are more restrictions.

I'm afraid I may have been a bit snarky, because although I am not religious at all, I do not like France's policies on religion particularly. But the truth is, while this sort of neighbor-veto probably wouldn't fly in France either, they are closer policy-wise, on a spectrum, to it than the US is.

[Bibliophile]

How about decorating the neighborhood pine trees like this?

[Yentush]

I keep having to teach you guys how to be mean and nasty.  Tsk tsk.

Fox, collect ALL the letters from the neighbors.  Next, cut them in strips.  Then, have all the kids on the block sit on the lawn and make a paper chain out of them, to decorate the huge tree that will be on the lawn. 

Then have this HUGE sign in front of the tree, saying:''

Freedom of Religion Tree

[/glow]

[Daiquet]

I have plenty of Pagan and atheirst friends and family, self included, who decorate to all get out for Christmas.

Totally agree here - i will be the first to admit my parents raised Athiest kids! We jokingly call the holiday Giftmas since we only follow the consumerist parts... My decorations and Tree are already up! Lights on the balcony rails, wreath thing on the front door, tree inflated and the living room roof and walls are a tinsel wonderland! I LOVE this time of year just because i go can go crazy with the decorations.

[gjcva1]

I keep having to teach you guys how to be mean and nasty.  Tsk tsk.

Fox, collect ALL the letters from the neighbors.  Next, cut them in strips.  Then, have all the kids on the block sit on the lawn and make a paper chain out of them, to decorate the huge tree that will be on the lawn. 

Then have this HUGE sign in front of the tree, saying:''

Freedom of Religion Tree

[/glow]

now THIS is funny, Yentush.  and also extremely appropriate.  i'm loving it!

[LadyClaire]

I'm going to agree with those who think this is a prank. Probably some idiots are just trying to stir up trouble and are now sitting back and laughing about it.

I will say that I am agnostic, and I love christmas decorations. The really tacky ones make it even better..I like to see who has the most tastelessly done decorations this time of year. It's usually the same house every year..their lawn looks like the christmas aisle at wal-mart threw up all over it. I saw the woman who lives there outside today hammering plastic deer into her lawn and placing santa hats on their heads.

[kathrynne]

I confess to not having read the whole thread. It's just too much.

I'm an atheist living in a neighborhood that overdoes the outdoor Christmas decorations to the point where we've literally had busloads of people touring the neighborhood to look. I'm not offended, but DH and I are somewhat amused at the apparent competition for who can have the biggest electric bill in November and December. I do, however, have problems with musical outdoor decorations. I'm pretty much sick of Christmas music in the stores and commercials by mid-November, so to be subjected to it while I'm trying to get to sleep IS offensive.

At first I thought we'd try a few nonreligious outdoor decorations, for continuity more than anything else, so picked some up on clearance. They don't get set up, and this year I think they're getting donated with a whole bunch of other stuff.

I do a brass bell wreath, an indoor tree (with NO breakable ornaments), and a couple of other secular-type decorations, and feel like I've done a LOT. Every year, my Mom sends more Christmas decorations, most of which get thrown into the donation box, but she'll never know because she'll never visit this time of year.

The neighborhood where I grew up used to "Light the Way for Santa Claus," and it was absolutely beautiful. Every house was given enough candles and white bags to do a luminary at the edge of the yard every 10 feet. As a corner house, we had a double-dose. As beautiful as it was from a second-floor window, I would love to have seen a real aerial view just once.

On Christmas Eve, the neighborhood found a volunteer Santa and some "elves," and cruised through the subdivision after dusk, handing out candy canes. We got printed schedules with those luminary supplies, so we'd know when the kids should be out to greet Santa. It was cute and sweet, and we had a pretty good religious mix. One year my sister's first DH, who happens to be Jewish, was asked to drive Santa around because he had a nice classic convertible. He had a blast doing it, and never even considered objecting.

I don't need anyone shoving their religion down my throat, but decorations on private property are not a problem. Sheesh.

[amaiaisabella]

We have BOTH freedom of expression AND the establishment clause! This is not france, people. (unless you are in france, of course. But I'm assuming you're in the US - please correct me if I'm wrong.) We don't make people practice or celebrate their religion in dark closets.

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

France has a very different relationship to freedom of religion and secularism compared to the US. I think the latest issue that sparked international media attention was the banning of the hijab in the school system. In the US, that would never fly - we are fiercely protective of a persons right to express religious affiliation, even while within the public sphere. In France, the development of religious freedom is considered to be more a private affair - you can do whatever you want in your privacy sphere, but in the public sphere there are more restrictions.

I'm afraid I may have been a bit snarky, because although I am not religious at all, I do not like France's policies on religion particularly. But the truth is, while this sort of neighbor-veto probably wouldn't fly in France either, they are closer policy-wise, on a spectrum, to it than the US is.

I'm glad you clarified that statement. I am not familiar with their religious tolerance policies, but they are more of a "hands off" approach to the Basques than Spain, so I'm a lot more tolerant of them. 

[princess91765]

A lot of folks in my neighborhood have outdoor decorations during the holiday season. No one goes completely overboard and no one's yard is garish or anything, just lights, a few reindeer here and there, a blow-up santa or two. Not a big deal.

It's been this way ever since we moved here and no one has complained. But recently our neighborhood has had a lot of 'turn-over' and evidently this now offends someone.

See, I just went out to check my mail. Somewhere between checking it yesterday and today, someone found time to stick a note in the box. This is what it says:

Dear Neighbor,

We have noticed that many of our neighbors elect to put out christmas decorations each year. While you have every right to practice your religion, we would like to remind all of you that not everyone practices a religion that participates in such holidays as christmas.

Because this is the country of freedom of religion, we would ask that you allow those of us that do not follow the christian tradition of christmas the ability to not be confronted with it at every turn. Please do not put out these decorations this year. We can not avoid them when leaving our house and they are an affront to our eyes. Also, if you could refrain from placing christmas trees where they can be seen from the street, it would be greatly appreciated.

We know that you will comply with our requests in the name of good neighborliness.

We thank you,
A neighbor


 

I also know now that every neighbor on our street got this letter. (One of my neighbors called and asked and informed me that several others got it at well. She's a bit of a busy body, but it comes in handy in this situation)

I don't even know what to say about this. I'm not sure I have an etiquette question, since I know beyond a shadow of a doubt this is over the top. I guess I just wanted you folks to share my shock at the nerve of some folks.

I would buy the biggest freakin' tree I could find and put out so many lights and decorations the power would go out on the whole block!

[scattley]

I would be tempted to send the letter to the local newspaper and get them to do a story on it. Reporters would be able to identify the person and get their side of the story in print. This will likely backfire and make them appear as whiny sods

[Trisha]

WOW!!

I'm very very very for separation of church and state and all, and I actually do think it means freedom *from* religion to some degree (not debating with anyone, just my view!!), but it's always implicit that that idea involves *government*!

This neighbor is NUTSO!

We have BOTH freedom of expression AND the establishment clause! This is not france, people. (unless you are in france, of course. But I'm assuming you're in the US - please correct me if I'm wrong.) We don't make people practice or celebrate their religion in dark closets.

"It offends my eyes."
"Then close them!"

POD. I say, decorate your lawn and anyone else's that is willing. It's not as if you're forcing them to participate, you're not even putting up decorations in a public place. It's YOUR property, do what you want!

[Lisbeth]

Dear offended neighbor,

No.

I love this response.

I'd personally add on to it,

Dear offended neighbor,
I am not Christian and I love Christmas lights and trees.

I have as much right as our neighbors who are Christian to enjoy them.

Your demand to our neighbors infringes on my right to enjoy Christmas as well.

[Deetee]

Oh my goodness! Goodness gracious me!

I am vehemently atheist and I would NEVER do something like that. That letter writer needs to go away and die in some lonely cave.

[CatFanatic]

I agree that genuine or prank - and I'd bet fifty-fifty either way - you should report it to the police. Its' annoying and offensive.

[JocelynCS]

I confess to not having read the whole thread. It's just too much.

I'm an atheist living in a neighborhood that overdoes the outdoor Christmas decorations to the point where we've literally had busloads of people touring the neighborhood to look. I'm not offended, but DH and I are somewhat amused at the apparent competition for who can have the biggest electric bill in November and December. I do, however, have problems with musical outdoor decorations. I'm pretty much sick of Christmas music in the stores and commercials by mid-November, so to be subjected to it while I'm trying to get to sleep IS offensive.

...

I don't need anyone shoving their religion down my throat, but decorations on private property are not a problem. Sheesh.

You've hit it on the head.  

If the neighbor had circulated a polite letter asking flickering lights or any particularly bright or musical displays to be turned off after a certain hour because the flashing or music was a disturbance, that would be different.  It would be a reasonable request about something that actually can cause people real difficulty in their lives.  (Has anyone seen that flashing musical house that got made into a beer commercial?  It's terrific, but I'd be ready to commit brutal murder if I lived next door!)

I suspect more and more, upon re-reading the letter, that this is a hoax, either just a random Real World Troll enjoying the uproar or a calculated effort to get people up in arms about the "war on Christmas" or even someone who wants to cause trouble for neighbors of a different religion.  In any case, the proper thing to do would be to report it so it's on a record somewhere, and then ignore it and enjoy decorating for the holidays as usual.