Ho! Ho! Ho!

A Toronto judge has banished a Christmas tree from the lobby of a provincial courthouse, saying the "Christian symbol" might alienate people of other faiths.

Judge Marion Cohen ordered that an artificial tree on display in the Ontario Court of Justice at 311 Jarvis St. be placed in a back hallway, out of sight of the entrance. She wrote in a note to staff that she didn't think it was appropriate that when people entered the courthouse, the "first thing they see is a Christian symbol."

The tree's presence suggests to non-Christians that they are "not part of this institution," she said, according to the Toronto Sun.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty called it an "unfortunate" incident. "I think it reflects a mistaken understanding of what we're trying to do here," said McGuinty.

He said the province is working hard to build a pluralistic multicultural society and that means celebrating all traditions, not asking some to abandon them. "It doesn't offend anyone when we celebrate Diwali at Queen's Park or celebrate Hanukkah at Queen's Park," he said. "It's part of who we are."

Now you already know my opinion on this from earlier blogs, if for no other reason than Christmas is far more of a cultural phenomenon than a religious one anymore.

One thing I will add though, is that this judge needs a lump of coal for Christmas. Where you want to put it is up to you!

Another idea that has been suggested is to leave the tree where it is and put the Judge in a back hallway!

Your scrooged scribe;
Allan W Janssen

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God-101 (what the church doesn't want you to know!) at; www.God-101.com
And the petition to have people mind their own business instead of yours at; http://www.petitiononline.com/moses/petition.html