CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – In case you haven’t had your coffee yet, here’s an easy question. What do you call an evergreen tree that’s chopped down and placed in your home? It’s typically decorated with lights, ornaments and tinsel.
There is no one in my audience who answered “it’s holiday tree.”
Of course, it’s a Christmas tree.
But not in Governor Tony Evers’ Wisconsin. The beautiful blue spruce tree that adorns the rotonda at the state capitol is referred to as a holiday tree by Evers. And it’s intentional. The news release inviting children to create ornaments for the tree said ‘holiday,’ ‘not Christmas.’ The words “Christmas tree” did not escape the Governor’s lips at last years lighting ceremony.
I would be the first to concede that a Christmas tree isn’t a religious symbol. So why does this matter? Because we Christians are constantly lectured about the need for tolerance. Almost everything in popular culture either ignores or mocks faith. If we Christians are told that we should be “uncomfortable” when pride month comes around each June, the least we can expect is that a symbol of one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar be called by its proper name.
Governor Evers attends a menorah lighting each year in Madison. I would invite him this year to refer to it as the ancient candle-holder lighting. If Evers attends the annual Ramadan observances in Milwaukee, why not refer to it as ‘that fasting holiday?” Why not? Because Jews and Muslims would take offense – as they should.
It would be no different than if you said in front of a group of church goers that you’re putting up your holiday tree this weekend. Then again, there is something curious about our Governor. If you look up Tony Evers’ biography, nowhere does it list his religion or which church he attends. Perhaps Evers thinks that a person’s faith is private, not to be discussed in the public square. Maybe. But even someone who keeps their faith completely out of the public eye still know what the tree is called. Our governor doesn’t.
Chris Conley
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