December 20, 2006

The War on Christmas in Wisconsin

Mathew Staver is Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit litigation, education and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family.

Each year Liberty Counsel becomes involved in many cases during the Christmas season because of continued efforts by the American Civil Liberties Union, and other groups, plus decisions by misguided school and public officials that restrict the expression of Christmas symbols and sentiments in public places.

The last two years, Liberty Counsel has conducted a "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign" as they have gone on the offensive to identify such attacks on Christmas, and to move to counteract them, with great success. They are also maintaining a "Naughty or Nice" list, identifying stores that ban or allow expressions such as "Merry Christmas" by their employees, and in their advertising and store decorations.

The program concentrated on several instances in Wisconsin where Liberty Counsel has been active in turning back attacks on Christmas expressions.

In one, the "Freedom From Religion Foundation" filed a lawsuit demanding that the Christmas tree at the State Capitol to be renamed a "Holiday Tree", or else be removed. Mat described this as a frivolous lawsuit, which was rejected. Nevertheless, at the State Capitol, that tree is now labeled a "Holiday Tree".

In the Erin School District in Wisconsin, the principal ordered all Christmas decorations removed, citing a letter from the "Jewish Anti-Defamation League" demanding that there be no celebration of Christmas in the public schools. So far the principal has been unwilling to listen to any arguments against that policy.

More Information

For information about the Liberty Counsel "Friend or Foe" campaign, and to obtain the latest list of "Naughty or Nice" stores:
http://www.lc.org/helpsavechristmas/index.htm

Liberty Counsel:
http://www.lc.org/
1-800-671-1776

Action Points

To contact Wisconsin officials with your opinion on whether the pine tree on display at the State Capitol should be called a "Christmas Tree" or a "Holiday Tree":

Governor James Doyle:
608-266-1212

Steven Bablitch, Secretary, Department of Administration
608-266-1741

To comment about removal of all Christmas decorations by the Erin School district in Wisconsin

Principal: Dr. Nelson
262-670-4901, or
262-673-3720 Extension 4003

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:
Superintendent: Elizabeth A. Burmaster
608-266-1771