Rather nifty! I think that it is important that all religions be allowed access if any particular religion is included. And hey, folks were observing the winter solstice long before the Christian church moved Jesus' birthday to that part of the year.
Wiccan Pentacle May Join Manger Outside Olean Building
The Nativity scene outside a municipal building near Buffalo [New York] could soon be sharing space with a Wiccan pentacle. Olean Mayor David Carucci has given a local resident permission to set up a pentacle next to the Nativity scene outside the Olean Municipal Building
I'm glad he made that decision. I'm all for inclusion of all different religions rather than the exclusion of one or two. After all, we have the freedom OF religion, whatever that may be, rather than the freedom FROM religion.
Hmm, I am glad for the decision as well, but I believe freedom of religion does include the potential for freedom FROM religion, in at least some cases.
For example, in addition to the fact that someone running for elected office not having to belong to a particular faith tradition or set of faith traditions, it should not be the case that they have to belong specifically to ANY faith traditions. (I.e. Atheists, agnostics and the unspecified should have the same rights as those identifying.)
Similarly, if my employer were to require me to keep kosher, or not eat meat on Good Friday because of THEIR religious beliefs, that would be inappropriate regardless of whether my faith tradition said anything about that, or whether I belonged to a particular faith tradition at all.