Catholic Senior Living Center Bans Residents From Saying ‘Merry Christmas’
A senior living center in Chehalis, Washington has banned its residents from saying “Merry Christmas” or displaying any Christmas cards or decorations with any religious significance in common areas.
The trouble started when the building manager at Providence Place in Chehalis told a Christian resident she could not say “Merry Christmas” or hang Christmas cards with religious symbols on her doorframe because the center receives funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. . .
“Americans don’t lose their constitutionally protected freedom to say ‘Merry Christmas’ or otherwise express their faith just because they live in a facility that accepts government funds,” ADF Senior Counsel Matt Sharp said in a statement. “No HUD rule requires senior living centers that accept federal resources to deny their residents the ability to celebrate Christmas with religious songs and symbols.” . . .
“When decorating the common areas and exterior of your community, think festive not religious,” the letter reads.“Greenery, colored lights, snowmen, and snowflakes all convey the festive atmosphere without alluding to a specific religion.”
In a copy of the letter obtained by The Federalist, Newman specifically claims the ban on religious-themed decor is a directive from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. In two subsequent letters sent to residents on December 7 and December 12, two of Providence Place’s directors said that while the nonprofit senior living center is Catholic, it cannot allow residents to display anything that is “specifically religious in nature.” (Read more from “Catholic Senior Living Center Bans Residents From Saying ‘Merry Christmas'” HERE)
Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.
