Is removing Easter bunnies really separation of Church and State or over PC? I say over PC. Christianity is no more represented by the Easter Bunny than it is by the Christmas Tree. The Christmas Tree is left around and accepted (and to that point, a Menorah is okay, but sure as heck don't show a babe in a manger).

I understand the need for boundaries and choices, but to that end get rid of 25 December as a day off too or loosen up in areas like Easter Bunnies.

"Easter references" doesn't just mean bunnies. It's just as easy to say Spring or Winter holidays. People who are not Christian may not see the references to Easter as common place as Christians do. If I am a Jewish American the holiday means no more to me than Chinese New Year. Why should it be the focus of anything at my workplace? When a person comes to an issue with only their own vantage and makes no attempt to look at an issue from another's vantage point they miss out on a great deal of the view.

I'm with Jax on this. Lilith, I'm looking at this from a non-Christian point of view, and, while Easter has no significance for me, I don't mind that others wish to celebrate it (I am assuming here that we are talking only about banning references to Easter, not banning some major celebration at work, in which case I may have a different attitude). Surely your hypothetical Jewish American would adopt a similar attitude? If not, where is the tolerance?

There seem to a lot of stories over here in the UK about similar PC bans (Father Christmas could not visit a nursery because he might scare the kids, springs to mind).

Multiculturalism is all about compromise and tolerance. We cannot ban everything (although Tony Blair is trying his hardest) because someone, somewhere doesn't like it. I am saying this as a hardline atheist. I have made my views plain earlier, but even I do not advocate banning religious ceremony and celebration.

Actually, what the Bill of Rights says is, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "

I certainly do not advocate banning religious celebrations. But I do think there are ways to make specific times of the year that are filled with a variety of observances more inclusive of all the celebrations at that time.

Perhaps it is only my perspective, but filling specific times of the year with a variety of observances implies a particular point of view – that of equivalence - on those religions celebrations.

Agreed! Easter is a Christian observance. Like it or not, it does not matter if it is of no consequence to Muslim, Jew or Hindu (or, indeed, atheist). Let the Christians celebrate as they see fit. We do not need to make it an all-inclusive event in a (failed) attempt to keep everyone happy.

I knew I was not making a direct quote of the Constitution, but I stand by my contention that we allow any one group official recognition, we have to allow the same for all...as it is, I see this country already skating dangerously close to the thin ice of religious zealotry...

On the topic of Easter ask yourself this question...

When you hear the word Easter, what do you think of first... a bunny or a cross?

I would be willing to bet the majority of people in this country would say bunny. Probably chocolate.

I think about my ass getting bigger (thanks to eating the chocolate). But that's just me. :D

Funny... I think about your ass too. Wait.. did you say something else besides that? :confused:

:p

I don't see how that is a PC thing. Personally I was shit scared of Father Christmas impersonators and the like when I was a child. Kids get scared of adults dressed up in costumes and they're always told 'don't talk to strangers' until one is dressed up in a mask and make-up.....fucking terrifying if you ask me!

Oh and what the hell is Father Christmas to do with religion....I bet the same nursery were probably allowed to stage a nativity play. ;)

As a kid I was terrified of dressed up Santa Clauses and clowns. Despite a family friend always being the one to dress up as Santa for my dad's work Xmas party I would promptly proceed to vomit every year at his arrival at the party :D

Lilith,

One of my nieces was also scared of costumed characters. Only overcame that behavior recently. Must not be that infrequent a response.