We read:
"A small-town bank in Oklahoma said the Federal Reserve won’t let it keep religious signs and symbols on display.
Federal Reserve examiners come every four years to make sure banks are complying with a long list of regulations. The examiners came to Perkins last week. And the team from Kansas City deemed a Bible verse of the day, crosses on the teller’s counter and buttons that say “Merry Christmas, God With Us.” were inappropriate. The Bible verse of the day on the bank’s Internet site also had to be taken down.
Specifically, the feds believed, the symbols violated the discouragement clause of Regulation B of the bank regulations. According to the clause, “…the use of words, symbols, models and other forms of communication … express, imply or suggest a discriminatory preference or policy of exclusion.”
The feds interpret that to mean, for example, a Jew or Muslin or atheist may be offended and believe they may be discriminated against at this bank. It is an appearance of discrimination.
The bank is quietly fighting for a clearer interpretation of the clause. Officials have contacted their two U.S. legislators, Rep. Frank Lucas and Sen. Jim Inhofe, and the Oklahoma Bankers Association to help.
Source
There is nothing about Christmas that "excludes" anybody. Anyone can celebrate it. It is in fact quite popular in Communist China and Shinto/Buddhist Japan. And below is a comment about Christmas in India:
"A sizeable population of the Christian Community reside in Mumbai of the Indian state of Maharashtra and are mainly Roman Catholics. It is a delight to watch their homes during Christmas. Every Christian home creates a nativity scene, often display a manger in the front window. Giant star-shaped paper lanterns are hung between the houses so that the stars float above you as you walk down the road. There is a provision of sweets, mainly home-made, in every household to welcome visitors during the occassion.
In Southern states, Christians often light small clay oil lamps and place these on the flat roofs of their homes to show that Jesus is the light of the world.
In the North-western states of India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil folk take out caroling processions during the whole Christmas week and often visit neighbouring villages to tell the Christmas story to people through songs".
That darn Christmas is just SO offensive!
12 comments:
Perhaps i'm wrong, but isn't the Federal Reserve a private entity? And if so, by what authority can they interfere with peoples religious rights?
I thought that the banks themselves also private private entities as well. Yes, their financial operations are Federally regulated, but isn't that as far as it goes? How is this scenario any different from the Feds coming in and saying that they must have shag carpet, not berber.
-sig
An explanation of Obama's basic political strategy;
WORD OF THE DAY
CLASS WARFARE, n.
A popular Nanny State scheme which punishes achievement, by looting the hard working fools who earned their own keep fair and square, then giving it all to chronically, insatiably, needy parasites.
I very much doubt if Muslims or Hindus or even most atheists are "offended" by Christmas or related Christian decorations. It would be "nice" though if those bank branches who have a lot of customers of other major religions also put up correponding decorations at the time of their major festivals - would be festive and fun (hopefully).
Great new story, NPR's Nina Totenberg says she was at a "excuse the expression, a Christmas party"
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/12/20/nprs_nina_totenberg_apologizes_for_saying_christmas.html
Anon 3:53 said,
"It would be "nice" though if those bank branches who have a lot of customers of other major religions also put up correponding decorations at the time of their major festivals - would be festive and fun..."
I don't know about you, but any business i've entered that had a Christmas display also had a Hanukah (sp) display.
So it's ok for the govt. to violate the First Amendment?
You might notice, however, that Regulation B of the bank regulations says nothing about religious displays. This is wholly the interpretation of the Federal Reserve executive (or maybe just its representatives). The appropriate action would be to say no to their face, and then let them take action. The chances are they would not have the gumption. Petty tyranny only exists because its victims buckle down to it too quickly. Passive resistance always makes it difficult for the bureaucrats, and should always be resorted to in the first instance.
Obviously, there are no limits as to what you can do when you're dealing with sheeple. Business is simply following the lead of government.
Christianity in the US could use a little oppression , its getting a little stale .
In Iran when the Ayatollah took over , they tried to suppress Christianity . The result was that it flourished .
ISHGEBOR
I wonder who makes those stupid regulations seems they violate freedom of religion and freedom of expression
"Business is simply following the lead of government."
Not quite. Business is simply a mechanism to maximize profits. Screw anyone or anything that gets in the way.
GO BUSINESS!!!
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