The National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, is facing criticism after featuring controversial Christmas trees at its annual tree festival. Out of the 66 trees on display, the ones that drew the most attention belonged to the Satanic Temple of Wisconsin and the Bay Area Council on Gender Diversity. The trees, which will be exhibited until December 31, departed from traditional Christmas decorations and instead showcased symbols and messages related to their respective causes.
The Satanic Temple tree was adorned with red lighting, pentagrams, and ornaments with phrases like “Hail Santa,” a play on “Hail Satan.” On the other hand, the Gender Diversity tree featured pink and blue trans flags and ornaments advocating for the protection of transgender children. While some attendees praised the festival’s inclusivity, many locals expressed concerns over the presence of these trees.
Conservative grassroots organization American Majority’s executive director, Matt Batzel, voiced his outrage on social media, posting photos of the Satanic display and criticizing the museum for featuring a “Satanic worship tree.” Other users questioned the appropriateness of displaying such trees at a family-friendly event and lamented the perceived shift away from traditional values.
One local Christian pastor, Luke Farwell, also raised objections to the museum’s decision. He questioned the inclusion of these trees at a Christmas event aimed at children, highlighting the clash between Christian themes and Satanic symbolism. Farwell emphasized the importance of free speech but underscored the need to recognize and respect the offense caused to Christians by such displays.
Farwell closed his statement by quoting Christian author C.S. Lewis, who famously said, “There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” He called on Christians to exercise their voices in defense of their faith and values.
The National Railroad Museum has yet to comment on the controversy. The inclusion of these controversial trees has sparked a broader discussion about the boundaries of inclusivity and the clash between different ideologies during the holiday season.
As the festival continues, this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding religious freedom, free speech, and the evolving nature of holiday traditions in an increasingly diverse society.
