NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt
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NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt |
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"Defending Religious Liberty" Update
December 26, 2006
On December 19, 2006, Liberty Counsel sent Commissioner Castro a letter providing guidance on the use of "Christmas tree" and a memorandum of law. Click here to review their letter.
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Letter to NYS Parks Commissioner December 18, 2006 NYS Office of Parks & Recreation and Historic
Preservation File: Holiday Tree Dear Commissioner Castro: I would like to thank you for taking the time to reply to my letter of November 21, 2006, however your response is clearly disingenuous. How can an executive agency under the control of the Governor require a legal opinion from the Attorney General’s office (which is pending for over one year) and a policy review to decide whether to refer to a Christmas tree for what it is, a Christmas tree? As the chief policy maker for New York State Parks, you have the lawful authority to initiate policy changes especially those that are incidental in nature. This issue is one of simplicity and requires no legal review. After all, your agency still utilizes the term “Christmas” when referring to events at State Historic sites; “Christmas by Candlelight”, “Christmas at Lorenzo’s, the roaring 20’s” (Lorenzo State Historic site) and “A Gilded Age Christmas (Staatsburgh State Historic site). “There are no easy answers ... but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” President Ronald Reagan It is apparent that your agency is aware of the law when it comes to complex issues involving religious liberty in terms of equal access and viewpoint discrimination. This is exemplified by regularly allowing the Simchat HaLev synagogue of Syosset to hold a Yom Kippur service on the grounds of the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. This activity is lawful and permissible. I applaud and support your proper application of the law. Based on the facts and the law, your refusal to revise your policy pertaining to the use of “Holiday tree” in place of “Christmas tree” is without justification. It is indefensible and nothing more than government sanctioned hostility toward those of Christian faith. It’s unfortunate that this will be the legacy of George Pataki. Our effort to reverse this policy will continue with the new Governor and his administration. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
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December 17, 2006
On December 6, 2006, Commissioner Castro replied to our letter of November 29, 2006.
Click here to read the Commissioner's reply.November 29, 2006
The War on Christmas
"Inclusion" or Common Sense
While browsing the NYS Parks website this month, it became apparent that NYS Parks rejected common sense by continuing to refer to all Christmas tree lighting events as "holiday tree" lightings. Why is a simple issue so complicated?
When Commissioner Castro replied to our initial letter back in February, it appeared that this issue was resolved. When the chief policy maker of NYS Parks agreed that the current policy was incorrect, it is only reasonable to conclude that she would order a change in policy. This nuance in interpretation of the word "agreement" was nothing more than a dishonest political answer.
As no other religious or secular symbols have been sanitized in relationship to their name, it would appear that this is nothing more than government sanctioned hostility toward Christians. This is morally indefensible and wrong. Can anyone cite an example to the contrary? There is no justification to continue this policy.
Back in 2005, the former LI Regional Director of NYS Parks, John Norbeck indicated that NYS Parks changed the name of the Christmas tree to "holiday tree" to be more "inclusive". How can the word inclusion which according to Webster's dictionary is defined as "including or being included" be interpreted in an arbitrary manner when applied to selected groups such as Christians. This arbitrary methodology is often applied under the banner of "diversity". It's obvious according to principles of George Orwell's book, 1984, excluding only Christians helps foster an inclusive environment.
While history records Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Christ, it should serve as a time for reflection. How should we treat each other? A simple answer can be found in the Old Testament book, Leviticus chapter 19 verse 9; "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." This has been referred to as the golden rule, treat others as you want to be treated.
Love is the companion to justice. Standing up for what is right is never easy, its the ultimate choice of who we wish to serve and is a reflection of our true character. A simple answer can be found in the Gospel of Mathew, Chapter 6, verse 24; "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other: or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." While some can argue that this is the very definition of politics, even politicians must choose.
Its important to love your neighbor, its equally important to speak out when your neighbor is wrong. We would ask Commissioner Castro (and her successor) to reverse the policy of excluding Christians. Its as simple as common sense.
Copyright 2003-2006, Nassau County Civic Association, Inc.
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Letter to NYS Parks Commissioner November 21, 2006 NYS Office of Parks & Recreation and Historic
Preservation File: Holiday Tree Dear Commissioner Castro: As you recall, I wrote to your office last December regarding the renaming of “Christmas tree” lighting events as “holiday tree” lightings at various Long Island State parks. At that time I requested that you revise your policy and refer to the tree for what it is, a “Christmas tree”. Several compelling reasons were articulated as to why this policy needed revision. Even so, it’s just a matter of common sense.When I wrote to you, I did so in good faith and expected the same consideration. The reply of February 1st provided by Deputy Commissioner Christopher M. Pushkarsh stated, “Commissioner Castro agrees with your position”. In light of this statement and your position as the chief policy maker for NYS Parks, I had no reason to doubt that this issue was resolved in favor of common sense. Unfortunately I was wrong. All of this year’s events make reference to “holiday tree” lightings in public advertising and on the NYS Parks website. On November 6, 2006, I spoke with George Gorman, the Long Island Regional Director of NYS Parks. After inquiring about the current policy, he advised me that no policy change has been communicated from Deputy Commissioner Christopher M. Pushkarsh or your office. Mr. Gorman was extremely professional and acknowledged the significance of renaming the Christmas tree. He indicated that he would contact the administration to determine if the policy was revised and to relay my information. On November 20th, he informed me that he is still waiting for a decision or a response. On November 20, I contacted Deputy Commissioner Pushkarsh and left a message with his secretary. I have also communicated with your office and informed your staff as to the status of this matter. I am perplexed as to why this simple issue remains unresolved. As no other religious or secular symbols have been sanitized in relationship to their name, it would appear that this is nothing more than government sanctioned hostility toward Christians. This is morally indefensible and wrong. There is no justification to continue this adverse policy and I would again ask that you revise your policy pertaining to the use of “holiday tree”.As it is late in the season, I understand that it would not be cost effective to alter any current advertising; however other entities that disseminate information in the public square such as the NYS Parks Department website can be revised. I look forward to your reply.
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February 15, 2006
On February 1, 2006, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Christopher M. Pushkarsh responded. Click here to see his response.
January 30, 2006
Late this month, The Nassau County Civic Association, Inc was advised that a reply would be completed within the next two weeks. We will report the Commissioner's decision once received.
December 17, 2005
New York State Parks have renamed several Christmas tree lighting events to "Holiday tree" lightings. These events have taken place at the following Long Island state parks; Orient Beach State Park on December 2nd, Bayard Cutting Arboretum on December 9th, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park on December 9th, and Belmont Lake State Park on December 10th.
On December 6th, we contacted New York State Parks and expressed our concern to the Long Island Regional Director, John Norbeck. A follow up letter was sent to Commissioner Bernadette Castro on December 11th requesting that she revise their policy pertaining to the use of "holiday tree" and use common sense by referring to the tree for what it is, a "Christmas tree". We will report her decision once a response is received.
On December 2, 2005, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held in Manhasset. During the ceremony, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman made inappropriate and somewhat hostile comments in response to a religious blessing by a Catholic Priest. Mr. Kaiman subsequently apologized. On December 9th, the incident was reported in Newsday and the New York Post. The Nassau County Civic Association, Inc has expressed our disapproval of the Supervisor's actions both verbally and in writing. It is our belief that the Supervisor understands the significance of his actions and comments.