Another Year, Another Christmas Controversy
Entry posted by fking
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Baby Jesus is at the center of a stir in Washington state. Or rather, his manger and replicas of the Holy Family are at the heart of a controversy. With each Christmas comes this predictable storm: a fight about the public placement of religious symbols and the ensuing argument that the meaning of Christmas is being belittled and downgraded by the nonexistent War on Christianity. Some are even using the term the "extermination of Christmas." Bah humbug, Christmas is not being eliminated, it is just asked to share space.
Then as sharing goes others wanted equal rights in their beliefs or lack there of about fairness and soon an atheist organization legitimately claimed its space on the public square as well. So, up went the sign by an organization called the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Placed next to the nativity display, it reads: "At this season of winter solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world."
"Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." It's a good thing babies don't read. But many other people can. First, let it be said that those who take issue with "Happy Holidays" brand of political correctness do have at least one valid point. It's a "Christmas tree" not a "Holiday tree." Millions of Christians purchase and erect in their living rooms every year a Christmas tree. To call it anything else is a snow job.
That lends credibility to those who point to some shadowy conspiracy to expunge Christianity from late December. Admittedly, the heavy use of vague umbrella terms winds up offending some who regard it as an effort to equate other beliefs to their own or worse to cast their faith out of the picture. And let's face it, December 25 is the day recognized by most Christians as the birthday of Jesus.
The shopping frenzy, the "holiday" sales, the red and green decorations...all stem from that fact. Why deny it? To do so just gives people an excuse to work themselves into lather. Some Christians are fine with tolerating other faiths, as long as it is clear that theirs is king of the religious mountain.
The irony is, if we all just lightened up and let Christmas be Christian, there might be less Christian jingoism and more room for others to celebrate their own faiths and traditions. Religious holidays, after all, ought to be expressions of our human attributes, not our petty differences.
After all is said and done, it's my belief that I was born black, raised a Southern Baptist, believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit which will follow me to my grave. Therefore I have no problem saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Excuse me if you get offended, it's not my intentions.
I remember so well during the Columbine school shooting years ago, a kid was asked by the shooter if he believed in God and if he did he would be shot. The kid said yes and was shot, he died for God and is now in a better place.
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