What is more disturbing about

this event is that The Avenue, a private concern, is so cowed by the forces

of political correctness and anti-Christian zealotry that it would cave

before a protest was even launched!

The Christmas tree, along with

Santa Claus, the reindeer, and various Christmas movies, are almost completely

removed from the religious event on which they are based. More than anything,

these things are symbolic of the "Christmas season," a time

of family, coming together, showing love, and sharing meals.

In short, Christmas has become

more of a cultural tradition than a religious remembrance. While I lament

that fact, I'm at least glad that our culture has some kind of tradition

to hold us together as a people.

I also find it ironic that

the same zealots who would attack Christmas trees (and they are a tiny

minority, let's keep in mind) generally look at the religion-based

traditions of other cultures with admiration and awe. But, because Christmas

is Christian, it loses any intrinsic cultural or traditional values that

it may possess and is seen as some sort of assault on the delicate sensitivities

of non-Christians.

It is time to dismantle this

notion that public displays of Christmas decorations are somehow antithetical

to living in a free and open society. The U.S. and all Western countries

are founded on Christian principles. They are not cultural descendants

of Egypt or China or Islam, for that matter.

This is not to deny the value

of those cultures or traditions, but people in those cultures rightly

acknowledge their cultural and religious heritage. I am simply saying

that we should be unafraid to do the same.

Acknowledging our Christian

heritage or traditions is not a de facto act of exclusion. It is an organic

expression of who we are and where we came from. All people of all faiths

are welcome and not just tolerated, but protected by law. If they are

offended by a Christmas tree or feel that it is an attempt to proselytize

or "endorse" a particular religion, tough!

We should not be a country

ruled by the hyper-sensitivities of a small minority which seeks to undermine

the foundational principles of our nation, culture, and history.

Trey Hoffman

Peachtree City, Ga.