rich
14-Dec-06, 20:20
To all Orgers. You want Political Correctness. Try this from Ontario Canada courtesy of CTV Broadcast network:
A Toronto judge has ordered a Christmas tree out of a provincial courthouse lobby, saying it's not an appropriate symbol to non-Christians.
A Christmas tree sits in Queen's Park, Ontario's provincial legislature, on Thursday.
The move by Justice Marion Cohen has upset staff, some of whom have called the decision stupid and insulting.
Cohen says she understands the tree has stood in the lobby at 311 Jarvis St. for years during the Christmas season, but in a letter to employees says non-Christians are "confronted" with the artificial decoration, which makes them feel "they are not part of this institution.''
The judge said it's inappropriate that a Christian symbol is the first thing visitors see when they enter the building.
A number of Christmas trees are on full display inside other public institutions, including at the Ontario legislature, Toronto City Hall and at Nathan Phillips Square. There are also trees inside the Old City Hall courts.
Staff at the 311 Jarvis St. courthouse were unwilling to comment on camera, but told CTV's Janice Golding they are disheartened. One man, who said the tree has been a Christmas tradition for decades, was infuriated when he learned of the decision.
Lawyers who work in the building were also upset and couldn't understand the reasoning.
"There's no reason why a Christmas tree can't be put wherever people want it to be. It's by no means an offense, I believe, to any religion," said one counsellor.
"I don't know that it falls upon judges to make decisions of that sort anymore than upon any other member of the public," added another.
The attorney general's office says there is no court or ministry policy that addresses this particular situation.
Cohen would not comment on camera.
The small tree has been moved to an administrative corridor off to the side.
A Toronto judge has ordered a Christmas tree out of a provincial courthouse lobby, saying it's not an appropriate symbol to non-Christians.
A Christmas tree sits in Queen's Park, Ontario's provincial legislature, on Thursday.
The move by Justice Marion Cohen has upset staff, some of whom have called the decision stupid and insulting.
Cohen says she understands the tree has stood in the lobby at 311 Jarvis St. for years during the Christmas season, but in a letter to employees says non-Christians are "confronted" with the artificial decoration, which makes them feel "they are not part of this institution.''
The judge said it's inappropriate that a Christian symbol is the first thing visitors see when they enter the building.
A number of Christmas trees are on full display inside other public institutions, including at the Ontario legislature, Toronto City Hall and at Nathan Phillips Square. There are also trees inside the Old City Hall courts.
Staff at the 311 Jarvis St. courthouse were unwilling to comment on camera, but told CTV's Janice Golding they are disheartened. One man, who said the tree has been a Christmas tradition for decades, was infuriated when he learned of the decision.
Lawyers who work in the building were also upset and couldn't understand the reasoning.
"There's no reason why a Christmas tree can't be put wherever people want it to be. It's by no means an offense, I believe, to any religion," said one counsellor.
"I don't know that it falls upon judges to make decisions of that sort anymore than upon any other member of the public," added another.
The attorney general's office says there is no court or ministry policy that addresses this particular situation.
Cohen would not comment on camera.
The small tree has been moved to an administrative corridor off to the side.