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Tucker Carlson slammed for calling burning Fox News' Christmas tree 'attack on Christianity’

Craig Tamanaha allegedly set the 50-foot high tree ablaze on Fox Square, New York, at around 12:14 am on December 8

Tucker Carlson has received a lot of flak online after he called the burning of Fox News' Christmas tree “an attack on Christianity”. The conservative television host said, “A Christmas tree is a symbol. It’s a symbol of a specific culture. It’s a symbol of a much-loved tradition that’s hundreds of years old. Above all, it’s a symbol of a religion, the world’s largest. Torching Christmas trees is an attack on Christianity.”

Carlson’s comment came after Craig Tamanaha allegedly set the 50-foot high tree ablaze on Fox Square, New York, minutes after midnight on December 8. The Sun reported that the security saw the 49-year-old accused ascending the tree with a lighter before putting it in flames. He was eventually arrested and held at Midtown Precinct North by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). He has been charged with arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct along with two more.

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Quoting a spokesperson from NYPD, the Daily Mail stated, “On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at approximately 0014 hours, a 49-year-old male was observed by Fox News Channel security climbing the Christmas tree decorated outside their office building near the corner of West 48 Street and Sixth Avenue, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed the male running from the location and he was taken into custody without further incident. The fire within the tree was extinguished without further injury or incident by responding FDNY personnel.”

Meanwhile, a number of people slammed Carlson after he tried to connect the alleged attack with religion. A user tweeted, “No it isn’t Tucker.  I am a Christian.  Torching a tree Isn’t nice but it’s not an attack on Christianity, Christians or Christos.  It’s just a tree.  It did not die to save us from damnation.  It’s a decoration.” The second user commented, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the cross symbol of Christianity? Sorry to break it to you Tucker, but the Christmas tree originated in Norwegian culture as a shrine to Thor. Just fyi.” “Not quite sure how the Christmas tree relates to a religion.  Don't remember Jesus telling the apostles to chop down a tree and put stuff on it in remembrance of him,” the third one added.

A person noted: “Another important symbol: The U.S. Capital. It is literally the cornerstone of America. Imagine if a group of people attacked it, vandalized it, threatening to hang its occupants and assaulted those who’s sworn duty was to protect it. Imagine that.” Another one taught Carlson by saying, “It's a symbol of paganism. Christ-Mass, you have a mass at a death, not a birth. They merge Christ with 13 dead pagan gods and people celebrate it. Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven (winter solstice) read Jeremiah 10.”

A user wrote, “Actually Christmas trees do not originate with Christianity. If you were a real Christian, you would have known that. How come you don’t get so upset when other religions are actually persecuted?” “odd... pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice. ... ‘So the idea of bringing evergreens into the house started there and eventually that evolved into the Christmas tree.’ you're funny,” a tweet added.

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.