| Concerning Jack Locke's article "City's Nativity Scene Questioned" (News, December 18 — December 24, 2003), I wonder at the blindness and pettiness of the complaining secularists. For the City of Calgary to display a traditional nativity scene, during the Christian season of advent, is a welcome reminder of our society's historic traditions and roots. It is in no way – as reinforced by the city's facilities operations supervisor – intolerant of other faiths and those who choose to have no religious faith.
Concerning the issue of favouritism, expressed with the words "the city takes it upon itself to highlight a religious event," the current trend toward expunging all references to religions – in normal conduct of affairs – favours the secularists on a daily basis, at the expense of other world views. Is life such a "one-way street" that only those with a secular viewpoint get respected?
Further, to argue that the cost of the display, which was doubtless already paid for many years ago, shows "favouritism" is a rather petty and mean-spirited "issue" on which to campaign. I doubt it would get very far with the city electorate.
So, although the secularist groups may seek to add "humanism" to the title by which they address themselves, it is clear that they must not be allowed to usurp the right to speak for all "humanity." We pray for them to adopt a more tolerant and less strident view of the world. There is a place for secularism in the world without it becoming an evangelical cause.
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