Holiday Lights and Religion

* Re “School Pulls Plug on Decorations After Objections,” (Dec. 7): Once again the vocal minority takes precedence over the desires of the majority. I think it is sad that in trying to be inclusive, public agencies end up excluding everyone.

I find it ironic that Marisa Levy is invited to tell stories regarding her Jewish faith at this same school that finds stringing holiday lights offensive. I wonder how she would react if I were to offer to share the Christmas story in the classroom?

I imagine that rather than seeing this as receptiveness on the part of Newport-Mesa schools, she would be protesting this as a violation of the separation of church and state.

Apparently it is OK to celebrate, and teach, the traditions of every other faith except Christianity.

MELODY BACON

San Juan Capistrano

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If we are going to take down the holiday lights on schools because it offends some people of another religion maybe we ought to take down the lights on the Christmas tree at the state Capitol and the White House too. They are there for the same purpose.

BILL ROGERS

Mission Viejo

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Re “Power Pinch Steals a Bit of Christmas,” Dec. 5:

I read that state officials are urging Californians to conserve energy in any way they can--”including squelching their holiday lights.” This is not a new message, but one we have been hearing as temperatures drop, heaters are turned on, and the drain on the power grid is oftentimes too much.

Yet, every night when I drive home on the freeway in Costa Mesa I am blinded by a church’s holiday light display.

I cannot imagine how much their monthly electric bill is, let alone how they justify such a blatant “abuse of power” when some folks may not have heat.

As a child I was taught to turn off the lights when I left the room, a good habit that I still have today. So come on guys, remember the expression “give your appliances the afternoon off.”

MARICE WHITE

Costa Mesa

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Re “Muslim ‘Season’s Greetings’ Joins Mission Viejo Displays,” Dec. 8.

Those of us who value freedom of expression should be pleased an Islamic holiday display will get a spot on public space this season. But the comments from Rabbi Martin Cohen, as reported in The Times, are troubling. Cohen says he would remove all religious imagery from the public square. His premise is off base.

Allowing religious displays (privately funded) on public land does not constitute government promotion of religion. It constitutes government accommodating all religion just as the founding fathers foresaw it. Religious expression should not be censored or relegated to second-class speech.

PATRICK SCULLY

Director of Communications

Catholic League

New York