Massachusetts Town outlaws Merry Christmas Sign

The Fire Department in North Andover, MA, has put up a "Merry Christmas" sign for the last 50 years. But now the town leaders have decided that it is not correct to wish people a Merry [U.S.National Holiday that falls on Dec. 25 every year]. The also decided a local rabbi could not put up a menorah during the eight days of Hanukkah. Of course, residents know we have these holidays, but there is no need to let people recognize them and try to spread some good will around.

One might also might want to try to forget the state's constitution:

Massachusetts Bill of Rights, Part the First
"It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religion profession of sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship...."

And we had really better forget that those Europeans who first settled in MA wrote our first official document of governance, the Mayflower Compact. In so doing they declared they were here for the "glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith."

The Compact says:

"In ye name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord King James by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, &c. Haveing undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian faith, and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick; for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of ye ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof, to enacte, constitute, and frame shuch just & equall lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye .11. of November, in ye year of the raigne of our soveraigne lord King James of England, France, & Ireland ye eighteenth, and of Scotland ye fiftie fourth. Ano: Dom .1620."

Read more about the North Andover story here:

The Eagle-Tribune Online