Christmas Trees Are Found to Produce Feelings of Exclusion

This goes under the heading of WTF which is beyond "Gimme a break" not quite to "Shoot me"

Graduate students of a Canadian university Simon Fraser University conducted a thesis study to determine the effects of being in the presence of a Christmas tree. (Yeah, you never heard of Simon Fraser; well you never heard of East Anglia University either until they told you that the world was going to burn up.)  The tree deployed was a 12 inch tree that was placed on a desk. The details of the study are here. The first study cohort was comprised of those who identified themselves as non celebrators of Christmas.

For those who did not celebrate Christmas, being in the room with the Christmas tree led to a less positive mood compared to being in a room with no tree. In particular, the Christmas display made non-celebrators feel less sure about themselves (what psychologists call “self-assurance”). Participants who did celebrate Christmas showed the opposite response – the presence of the tree led to a more positive mood.

The second study was conducted with a cohart of Sikhs and Buddists:

Students who identified with a religion other than Christianity (Sikhs and Buddhists) experienced a less positive mood, particularly less self-assurance, in the presence of the tree. The tree also made Sikhs and Buddhists feel less included at the university. The tree did not affect Christian students’ sense of inclusion at the university, but it did lead them to a more positive mood.

Although the SFU has an extensive Muslim study program

designed to broaden public understanding of an often misunderstood and feared groups

No Muslims were apparently included in the study. It appears that they have a great desire to blow up Christmas trees and those finding joy in them.

Now let us examine this. Christians are to express openness by being inclusive of others but others would feel a whole lot better included by Christians not expressing their Christianity and feeling good about being Christian. Christians are to suppress their religious joy in order that others may feel joy. Hmmm...Yeah WTF?

Here is a qoute from Ben Stein:

“I’m a Jew and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish, And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. Stein categorically denies feeling threatened or discriminated against by Christian displays. He says, “I don’t like being pushed around for being a Jews and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christian.”

You got that right Ben. Continuing here are some comments by the followers of Behavorial Healthcare.net.

This is a Judaeo / Christian country and a J/C holiday time frame.That's the reality and that's the way it is. Its not our responsiblity to try to make everyone feel good. Non Jews and non Christians have their own time of year and their own holidays. Do you think that Muslims would welcome having Christmas tress and Hannukah celebrations during Ramadan ? Of course not. And, don't forget about the Athiests. They are bound to be depressed and feel bad about all of the religious holiday symbols of the believers of every faith. So , let's make sure not to offend them either. 

Continuing the same source:

Calling Christmas Trees "Ornamented Trees"?? Really? I guess we should call a Menorah a "7 Sticked Candelabra" except the Kwanza Kinara has 7 candles too so we must be careful you know! Give me a break!

TO ALL Sharky&Sharky offer this:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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