It’s pretty sad that we are weeks away from Halloween and we’re already hearing the grumbling of the dreaded “War on Christmas” by media and potential political candidate alike.
Of course, this professed “war” is nothing more than a grab to tug at the heart strings of many who believe all things Christian in the US has been stream rolled for the sake of others. That’s just bucket of spit because this so called “war” on the diminishment of Jesus’ birthday is a façade when considering no one knows the actual date of birth for the son of God.
Yes I said it, his birthday was not on Dec 25, the date was chosen as symbolic and Pope Benedict XVI even agrees.
But this is not a blog about the birth of Christ but about the whining by many because people say “Happy Holiday” instead of “Merry Christmas.”
So let me ask “Why do we say Happy Holidays?” The chosen date of Dec 25 has more to do with other holidays celebrated in that timeframe. There are roughly 12 holidays celebrated leading up to Dec 25. We have Christmas, Omisoka, Shabe-Yalda, Kwanzaa, Yule, Id al-Fitr, Hanukkah, Wandering Goddess, Bodhi, and Winter Solstice. Saturnalia and I’ll even add Festivus for good measure.
Wow! Could you imagine a store clerk being polite and saying all those holidays to a costumer? Life would be easier if everyone wore a religious tag so everyone knows the proper greeting/salutation.
Please save me your pitchforks and screams of the lack of religion in the public school arena as that can be countered easily with a simple question; which religion should be allowed in public schools?
Remember public schools are for everyone, so you HAVE to accommodate all not just one. And you only have to look at the current cries of students learning about Islam or Quran during their Civics and History classes for validation.
Yet, I have no true issue with my child learning about religions/religious regions in public school. Too be against it only shows ignorance. If you want your child to learn about your particular religion you have two choices; Home School or Religious School.
This professed “war” would make more sense if it weren’t about greetings/salutations but against the true culprit……….. Consumerism!
We as a nation have corrupted so many historic events for profit. July 4th, Labor Day, Memorial Day has been turned into “50% off sale” days on everything from hot dogs to tickets to auto sales. Nope we must molest every holiday to make a buck. Is there any other religion that has been corrupted by money than that of Christianity?
Hey wait a minute, come to think about it I don’t recall ever seeing a Hanukkah candle sale advertisement in the 5 weeks between “Black Friday” to Christmas Eve, so why is Christmas the only target of commercialism?
It can’t be denied that more children today believe more in Santa Claus than Jesus Christ. But who do you blame for that? Well the simple answer for many would be Atheists before saying Coca-Cola or Macy’s come to mind.
I understand that over the decades, many have fallen out of religious belief and thanks to commercializing every holiday or historic day for money; it’s easy to see how more children believe in Santa then Jesus’ birth. But to add a Yule log to the fire of the argument, here’s a little story out of Sacramento this week that should make one think of this war of words.
Per an article on the website Woman’s Day on Monday 10/5, a Southern California mother was served legal papers threatening her with a civil lawsuit due to her son’s negligent actions towards his classmates. It seems her son traumatized eight of his fellow classmates by informing them that Santa Claus does not exist and that the parents are demanding he stay away from their children or further legal action will be taken.
Got that, this little boy told some classmates that Santa Claus doesn’t exist and now their parents are claiming he took away their innocence.
And yet people are worried about putting “Christ” back in Christmas when parents, religious or not, are pushing a fat man in a Red Suit is the joy of the season as a marketing ploy. So remember when you hear about the “War on Christmas” it’s ok to say “Happy Holidays” so not to offend your Jewish or Arabic friends while you’re shopping at Toys R’ Us for the “BOGO” on the latest Star Wards Episode VII toys.
And to top this blog off, I just found out today (10/8) was “Bring your Bible to school day” to encourage students to bring their bibles to school to celebrate religious freedom. But keep your Torahs, Quran, Bhagavad-Gita, Adi Granth and Tripitaka at home because you don’t want to offend one’s religious belief.
That’s it, Slap the political tab, pour some “Mad Elf” and stuff your stocking only after you pay your political tab.
CHEERS!
