For years, a nativity scene has been arrange at Kelowna’s Kerry Park however, this 12 months there was some backlash over an addition to the show: an indication that learn “Hold the Christ in Christmas.”
Some residents deem it a step too far and the Kelowna Atheists Skeptics and Humanists Affiliation lobbied to have it introduced down.
“The difficulty is with the signal and its political [nature],” mentioned Saturday Sazaran, a board member of the Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Affiliation.
The signal was accompanied by a QR Code that led to a video from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. The video promotes the non secular features of the vacation.
Many years in the past the Metropolis of Kelowna was liable for the storing, arrange and take down of the nativity scene. That job was transferred to the Knights of Columbus in 2020, to handle it on public property with a allow from town’s occasions workplace.
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When town realized about it, it requested the Knights of Columbus to take down the signal as a result of it was not a part of the allow. Town mentioned the signal was eliminated the identical day. The nativity scene will keep up with out the signal.
“We don’t really feel like this has been executed in an equal approach that promotes inclusivity,” Sazaran mentioned.
“Yearly it’s a nativity scene it’s right here all month and there are different non secular holidays that occur presently that aren’t acknowledged.”
In an announcement, the Metropolis of Kelowna says, “Town is dedicated to fostering an inclusive atmosphere and is open to contemplating requests from teams wishing to have a good time their beliefs. These requests are reviewed by the Metropolis’s Occasions workplace on a case-by-case foundation.”
“You will need to word that the Metropolis is not going to contemplate requests which might be issues of particular person conviction or these which might be opposite to human rights and freedoms as outlined below present Canadian legal guidelines,” it added.
“By adhering to those tips, the Metropolis ensures that every one celebrations are respectful, inclusive, and in step with the broader values of our group.”
World Information reached out to the Knights of Columbus headquarters within the U.S. in addition to their native councils in West Kelowna and Kelowna for remark. The native councils didn’t reply to our requests and the headquarters instructed us they might not remark.
A involved citizen, Ken Rau says that faith is an important a part of Christmas and the nativity scene and signal are a visible reminder that individuals want over the vacations.
“Sadly, Christmas is extra about Boxing Day gross sales, Black Friday, Cyber Monday,” he mentioned.
“Christmas initially was for Christians, that’s what it’s based mostly on.”
The nativity scene will stay in place over the vacations and on Dec. 25 on the primary evening of Hannukah the Menorah can be lit in Stuart Park by Chabad Okanagan who has an identical settlement with the Metropolis of Kelowna. They should have a allow and are liable for the setup and take down.
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