California retirees express anger over Christmas tree ban

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/6/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Management at Newhall senior complex told to remove tree as it is a 'religious symbol'

Who would be so dastardly as to deprive retirees, enjoying their golden years, the opportunity to celebrate Christmas? JB Partners Group Inc., based in Tarzana has ordered that the Christmas tree, along with menorahs be taken down at the Willows senior apartment complex in Newhall, California. They say that such items are "religious symbols." Residents of the Willows have since staged a protest.

JB Partners Group Inc., based in Tarzana has ordered that the Christmas tree, along with menorahs be taken down at the Willows senior apartment complex in Newhall, California. They say that such items are 'religious symbols.'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - JB Partners Group Inc. has owned The Willows for four years, and this is the first time it's given such a directive to its staff.

Twenty or more tenants in the 75-resident complex gathered in the lobby to place a green sign that read: "Please Save Our Tree."

"We're all angry. We want that tree," Fern Scheel says. Having lived at the complex for nearly two years, she sees little sense in the decoration ban. "Where's our freedom? This is ridiculous."

The Willows staff, along with JB Property supervisor Wethanie Law has declined all comments.

JB Partners Group owns apartments in California, Oklahoma and Colorado.

According to resident Edna Johnson, Law had told her the tree had to be taken down because it's a religious symbol. "We could put out Easter baskets, have turkey for Thanksgiving but no tree for Christmas because it has Christ's name in the beginning of Christmas," Johnson said.

"This tree is a symbol of reverence that we can all enjoy regardless of our religious beliefs," Frances Schaeffer, who is Jewish, says.

Some of the tenants aren't taking this lightly. Max Greenis, having lived at the complex for a year with his wife says he's considering withholding his rent in protest of what he calls an abomination of the holiday tradition.

"I've got grandkids and they come here and now they'll ask, 'Grandpa, where's the Christmas tree?' Then I'll have to explain that someone said we couldn't have one. What kind of message is that sending to the kids?" Greenis asked.

After the coffee-and-doughnuts protest rally, some incensed residents got so riled that they began taking the tree apart themselves.

"For some folks this is the only Christmas tree they'll have all season," resident Robert Troudeau said. "There are people overseas fighting for our freedoms and dying and we're here fighting over things like this. It's a shame."

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Senior complex, Christmas tree, management, California, Newhall

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1 - 10 of 10 Comments

robert matzinger
5 months ago
This is the "New America" where Obama and the democrats are doing the best they can to drive Christianity and any symbols of it to the underground. Companies and businesses that years ago would not have considered such things as removing a Christmas tree are terrified to have one put up for fear of lawsuits by the ACLU etc, as they know that they are supported by the govt on this issue.
Rizzo The Bear
5 months ago
What planet is this company JB Partners from?

Here in the UK, we have - and still have to put up with - stupid, militant atheist bureaucrats with nothing else better to do than make attempts to rename Christmas - wait for it - Winterval! Why? Their limp reason is that 'people of other faiths would be offended.'

Even our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, spoke of his concern at Westminster Hall addressing Members of Parliament when he was in England and Scotland in 2010.

Well, hello!? Duh! People of other faiths are NOT offended in the slightest! In fact, I've heard it being said that people of other faiths wonder why we - as Christians - are not stronger in protesting against such idiocy.

After all, the lame excuse wheeled out by these fools include such trash as 'for the sake of 'equality' and 'diversity'!

My. Giddy. Aunt!

Why should these residents put up with this violation of their liberty? How about parishes etc. from the surrounding area (and beyond) joining them in solidarity and support by organising marathon carol-singing and not stop until they relent and return the Christmas Tree and Menorah back where they belong.
JoAnn
5 months ago
DLL: It is a relief to know someone else sees that this country is headed for communisim. Thank you DLL. God bless.
Emma
5 months ago
News release from the Catholic League : Following the release of JB Partners e -mail address, the company was bombarded with thousands of e -mails. The residents will now have their Christmas Tree :)
Emma
5 months ago
@Mary......the country is tilted and alll the fruits and nuts have rolled into California. Sigh.
Patti Smith
5 months ago
There is a tree in every mall in the country. There is a tree in the White House. These seniors just want a XMAS tree. If they object to the word "Christ" then name it a Holiday Tree. Just give these seniors what they want and need at this season. For some, this may be their last Christmas.
Gabriella
5 months ago
wow! The world is truly afraid of Christ, to the point of removing any reminders of Him. We can run from the Truth but we cannot hide it any longer. The more
they try to eliminate any mention of Christ from the public places, the more they make us belive that there must be some truth to it all. Merry Christmas everyone.
Doesn't the dollar say that we trust in God? - and Christ is God!
mary lanham
5 months ago
What do these people in California think we are celebrating this time of year if not the birth of CHRIST. JESUS is the reason for the season.
DLL
5 months ago
When paying out of pocket boarding expenses to be in a nursing home of 10,000 dollars a month,the elderly can have the decorations that they want anywhere and anytime of the year. This country will be a communist country in less than 10 years. Pornography sells so it is freedom of speech,so do CHRISTmas trees but that is not? Both are a form of freely expressive art if one is to argue for either at best. Separation of Church and State is not separation of any religion from the State or United States it is practiced in. That violates religious freedom.
Emma
5 months ago
This could easily be interpreted under California Law as elder abuse! Inflicting emotional distress is covered under those statutes, as well as the right to practice their religion. Fines are very steep! If I was one of these residents or a family member, I would be calling my local ombudsman's office!! Maybe a state representative could explain to this management that these residents have far more rights than this company is aware of!! This is outrageous!! Nobody would be bullying my grandparents in that way!!! Any contact info for this management co. We shood stand up for these people!!!

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