Colorado City Considers Ban on Religious Symbols

GOLDEN, Colo.-The City of Golden is considering a ban on religious symbols on city property after a rabbi asked to put a menorah next to a tree strung with holiday lights.Golden City Council will vote Thursday night on a proposal that would enact a ban on all religious symbols on city property. Some say if they allow the 6-to-8 foot menorah to be placed here, there's no telling how many other groups will come forward demanding their own displays.Rabbi Levi Brackman wants the menorah placed alongside Golden's annual Christmas display near 10th and Washington. "Just like any other child who comes along and sees from their tradition, the lights on the tree," Brackman said. "When a Jewish kid comes along, why shouldn't they also be able to see a menorah?"The city says it's not the menorah, it's the precedent. "The goal here is to set guidelines. The city has had a history of having a display downtown that didn't include any kind of specific religious message or theme," said Jonathan Ashford, City of Golden Spokesperson. "We've tried to keep it neutral, very open, very inclusive." Brackman says if the city does ban all religious symbols, it's discrimination."I'm astonished," he said. "We went to Evergreen and we have one at the Lakehouse in Evergreen, and it was a no-brainer. We went in there, they said, 'Sure, absolutely, no problem.'" The city says all it wants is to have a non-religious holiday display for everyone, and that in the interest of inclusivity, they will now call Christmas trees "Holiday Trees" instead."Supreme Court ruled that an evergreen tree with lights is not a secular thing," Ashford said. "It's a holiday celebration. It's a decorated tree."The Supreme Court decision allows both a Christmas tree and menorah to be placed on city-owned property."I just say, 'What's wrong with having religious symbols?' The Supreme Court has already ruled on this, so the precedent is there. I don't see the issue," Brackman said. Whichever way council votes following their public hearing, it will not affect most of Golden's holiday decorations downtown. The Chamber of Commerce will still have all of their displays. This issue only affects city-owned property.There was a similar debate in Fort Collins last year. City leaders considered banning religious symbols, which brought dozens of angry phone calls and emails. Fort Collins ended up allowing religious decorations.The Golden City Council will take the issue Thursday at 7 p.m.

By Terry Jessup
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