ROSELLE PARK, N.J. — A New Jersey City Council’s decision to add the word “Christmas” to the name of its tree-lighting ceremony prompted a council member to step down because it “turned it from a nonreligious event to a religious one.”
Charlene Storey announced her decision just minutes after the Roselle Park council approved the change Thursday night, reported. Her resignation takes effect Jan. 7.
Storey, who was raised Catholic but describes herself as a nonbeliever, said the town’s decision to change the ceremony’s name from “A Tree Lighting” to “A Christmas Tree Lighting” favors one religion and “cuts non-Christians out of the loop.”
Roselle Park Mayor Carl Hokanson said all are entitled to their own beliefs, but also noted that each town can use whatever title it wants to use for the ceremony.
“It’s not a street, it’s not a building. It’s a Christmas tree,” Hokanson said.
