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Dec. 2, 2005 I really didn't want to wade into these waters, I figured there are already a lot of people writing about this, and most of them doing a good job on it. But the voices are only getting louder, and like most things in this country we're pretty evenly divided. I think I speak for many when I say it's ridiculous that even the word Christmas is now a term of offense. It's ridiculous for two reasons. First, Christmas has been a secular holiday for a long time now. It's more about Santa Claus, Rudolph the red nose reindeer, and frosty the snowman than it is about Jesus of Nazareth. I have nothing against the secular nature of the holiday, but you know secularism has gone too far when even the word is something forbidden. We tiptoe around it, and say seasons greetings, and happy holidays. As if we are celebrating winter, or the holidays themelves. Secondly, most people are not offended by Merry Christmas. Only those who go about looking for something to be offended by shrivel at the sound of Merry Christmas the way a vampire does at a cross. Critics of Christmas, atheists and people with such thin skin that you can see how slowly their little hearts beat, say that it is a violation of the seperation of church and state. Well, I hate to be the one to break it to them, but no it isn't. First of all the words seperation of church and state appear nowhere in the constitution. What it says is that congress will make no law establishing a religion. That's a big difference. Secondly Christmas is an official holiday, and has been since President Grant. Lastly because we already live in a secular society. I can hear the coalition of the offended now. "What are you crazy? We are two steps away from a theocracy. We, the enlightened, are constantly having your stupid superstitions forced on us." Well, to them I say. Make sure you take your medication more often. Living amongst a religious people is not having religion forced on you any more than two people greeting each other with a Merry Christmas, and a nearby atheist who oveheard getting offended. They also need to look up the definition of secularism. In it's purest form it means that the state won't have an official religion, and everyone can worship(or not worship) as they see fit. What the coalition want at the low end a society like Europe where religion is barely tolerated, and certainly never any public mention or display of it. Never mind that many countries in Europe have a state church. What they really want is something like Cuba. An atheistic society where believers can be watched by the state to make sure we're not doing anything dangerous, like praying of saying Merry Christmas. Some will believe that I am going overboard, and that's kind of the point. To show how silly the coalition of the offended really is. They would deny that they would forbid us our religious rights, but they are already doing it. What ever happened to freedom of speech? I could have summed up this article a few paragraphs ago, by saying what I am about to say. If two little words that represent a holiday of peace, happiness, and compassion offend you what does that say about you? Are you offended by peace, happiness and compassion? Or do you just emulate Ebeneezer Scrooge? In short,get over it. ------------ About the author: Craig Chamberlain has written more than 100 articles for Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: craig_chamberlain@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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