Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee is facing a firestorm of criticism for referring to the statehouse Christmas tree as a "holiday tree," in keeping with the previous Governor. Chafee says the purpose is to promote religious tolerance but his detractors are not exactly taking it that way.
Bishop Thomas Tobin says independent Gov. Lincoln Chafee's decision to avoid the word Christmas at the Statehouse ceremony is "most disheartening and divisive."
Divisive? That's a little harsh in describing an effort to be respectful and mindful of other faiths during the holiday season. It sounds like Governor Chafee is just trying to show some manners, not be divisive. Still, it seems worth saying that when you put lights on a blue spruce after Thanksgiving, what you've made is pretty much a Christmas tree, no matter what you call it. There's nothing wrong with that; it's not a state-sponsored Nativity scene, after all, which would send a much more thoroughly religious message. The Supreme Court has ruled Christmas tree displays secular enough to be constitutional, so the Governor can put one up if he wants. Why not just call it what it is?
