Holiday Controversy In Lakewood

For years, Lakewood’s holiday town square display has featured a Christmas tree and a small menorah. No one has complained until now.

In a meeting earlier this month, Vivian Knight requested a nativity scene be added to the display, threatening to sue if it wasn't approved. Knight claims she wanted to make a point that a tree is not a religious symbol, while a menorah is. She felt putting a nativity scene would balance things out. The Township Attorney advised the town to just remove the menorah entirely.

Many of the town's Jewish residents obviously feel slighted.

Harold Herskowitz, a local businessowner, says the current arrangement is unacceptable. “Up and down the street there’s Christmas wreaths on every light pole. I don’t really care that much ... the fact that there’s a Christmas tree on the lake and a massive Christmas tree on Town Square and no mention of Hanukkah is a serious problem, because it looks like Lakewood is promoting Christianity.”

As a resident of Lakewood, I think this is all ridiculous. The woman making the complaint is using a legal loophole that a tree is technically not a religious symbol. I hate to use the cliche of "society today", but it does seem like Ms. Knight is taking advantage of the litigation-happy culture we live in. For the town council to back down immediately also seems like an odd decision, as opposed to just putting up a nativity next to a menorah, and getting rid of the tree (would anyone complain when a technically non-religious symbol was removed?).

[via APP]