War on Christmas

Before I even get started I have to say for the record, "I do not hate Christ", just in case Jerry Falwell is gracious enough to visit my site...although I could use the publicity.

Again as the holiday season begins to approach, fanatical Christians begin to claim that there is some sort of War on Christmas. They continue to bring up false accusations, as Hannity did last year about a New Jersey school banning "Silent Night", and contributing it towards some liberal conspiracy. The ACLU is targeted throughout the year for attacking Christianity but never more so than late November through the end of December. Both the ACLU and the Americans United for Separation of Church and State are demonized for doing nothing more than protecting the civil rights of people who worship under another religion. Certain TV "journalists" asked, "What's wrong with having God in school?" Absolutely nothing, if you go to a private religious school. What the right wing conservatives and Christians are not realizing is that this in not a Christian country. Public schools cannot show favoritism to one religion or another, it's plain and simple. Christmas has evolved into a secular holiday over the last century and that alone makes it possible to be celebrated in schools. Therefore, holdiay classics can be performed such as, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, White Christmas, and Winter Wonderland. However, when these songs are performed without any Christian hymns alongside the Christian right becomes outraged. If you want to experience a nice Christian Christmas show, there are more than enough Churches that offer you this opportunity. Celebrate your right to worship your religion.

If a school decided to celebrate another religion's holy day I guarantee these same people would cry that it was an invasion of Church and state. However, their "enemies" over at the ACLU would be very quick to join them in protest. If schools are to hold any kind of religious celebration then they must hold one for every religion. If this were the case there would be no time for actual teaching and learning except for religious material. The purpose of school is for education, not religious worship. This same battle is what led to Title IX, which makes Universities offer equal opportunities for women as it does for men, particularly with sports. The main argument for this is that women's sports do not bring in the same amount of money as men's and that many men's programs have had to be cut because they cannot afford to fund more women's programs. So should women be treated unfairly? No.

It's interesting that Christians are even fighting to keep Christmas in schools. In fact, this is what created the secular celebration of this holy holiday. They should be upset that public schools and work places have corrupted this sacred day. Even most Christians lose track of what is supposed to be important, they may say a prayer and go to Church, but after that the only important thing is what's inside the wrapping paper. How many of them are disappointed when their brother has more presents than them, or when they get underwear instead of a new videogame. How many of them actually do something that the Jesus they worship would have done? Why not listen to his teachings and apply them to life. Go volunteer at a homeless shelter, offer love to those who you claim are "living in sin", or enjoy a Christmas without presents but share time with the family singing Christmas hymns and praying for forgiveness.
Remember this holiday season that this country has many different wonderful people who worship or choose not to worship the religion of their choice. Religion offers many benefits to society but when used and abused to serve political purposes it counters its original intent. As much as I can see, there is no War on Christmas, only a Christian War on Other Religions.