In Michael Krikorian's statement we read: "We want to avoid that specific religious message out of respect for other religions in the region," Krikorian told the News. "It could be construed as disrespectful to other people who enjoy a parade each year."
Why didn't he just say: "We want to avoid all religious messages, therefore Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Gay Indian "holy people", Chinese dragon carriers "meant to chase away evil spirits and welcome good luck and good fortune for the year" are banned?
What he did say was that "We want to avoid that specific religious message. It's isn't difficult to reach the conclusion that it was clear discrimination aimed at Christians. And of course, that is his prerogative, but let's call it for what it is......discrimination. The Boy Scouts of America are told they discriminate all the time because they do. They don't hide behind some enlightening, feel good, gobbeldygook wording that is difficult for some to decipher.
This parade was billed as an "international procession to celebrate the cultural and ethnic diversity of the region," according to its website. Denying Christians the opportunity to participate as they deemed it fitting their culture in a community parade was discriminatory.......period.
It never ceases to amaze me when I think back to the numerous times I've heard liberals say that we need a more inclusive society in the struggle for equality, yet here we find the opposite on our major city streets. If there is going to be a "Parade of Lights" in December in a major US city to celebrate the diversity of the region, it seem to me that by excluding people of faith, we have a clear contradiction of that message, and further, a large segment of the population has been isolated. Being isolated from a major city wide parade isn't the issue. The issue is admitting that we discriminate.
In the future, it might be prudent to make sure that these type events are billed for what they are and that a concise and clear description of the event be provided as to the intent.
I don't know what point Pastor George Morrison and his Church was trying to make in applying to participate in the Denver parade? I have a feeling it was merely to celebrate the season in their own way and sharing that with others.
It appears that he was given a list of banned themes before hand, but none of us know for sure what his intentions were.
And it doesn't really matter at this point.......the parade is over. |
