Being a marketing manager myself,

I'm assuming that The Avenue's primary objective was to bring

in shoppers of all walks of life, not just Christians.

I actually stayed away from

the tree lighting because I thought it would be too religious for my family

to take part in (DJ from Christian radio station, choirs from local churches).

Our family chooses to practice our religious beliefs at home and in our

own place of worship, not at a shopping mall off a highway.

But after reading that particular

letter, I realized how difficult a job it is for any public establishment

(retail or otherwise) to plan promotions/events around religious holidays

without offending the public and potential customers. If I owned a shop

in The Avenue, I would want to bring in all types of people, whether they

were Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus or atheists.

As I look around our beautiful

community, I see a fairly diverse population of white, black, Hispanic,

Asian, Eastern Indian and European. I strongly doubt if everyone is of

Christian faith.

Yes, Christmas is a religious

holiday but why can't everyone participate and be made to feel accepted?

Wouldn't Jesus have accepted all different types of people to his

table? Would he have been upset by calling a tree a Peace Tree?

I think he would have been

more upset by all the fighting and bickering going on because some people

are feeling so threatened by other beliefs. I think your reader, and all

of us, should remember, and also practice, the fundamental meaning of

Christmas: Love.

During this particular holiday

season, I believe calling the tree a "Peace Tree" is a very

appropriate name. With a war lingering in Iraq and our own culture wars

brewing here in America, a little bit of "peace" between us

all would be a welcome relief, even for a short time. Peace be with you.

Julie Williams

Peachtree City, Ga.