the Centrist

In what many are calling “the war against Christmas” we are witnessing sanctioned religious bigotry. When the spirit of Christmas eventually wins this war, many will look back on this sad chapter of American History and be unable to explain why any would want to gag the message of hope and love. Perhaps some yet unknown author will write another Christmas Classic making the Politically Correct Judges the villains and those who stand up for their faith as the heroes. I cannot think of a time in a Democratic Republic when the very salutation, “Merry Christmas”, has been banned by tax supported public schools as well as private retailers. America has officially witnessed Political Correctness gone amuck. In some schools even the colors of red and green have been banned. Ironically our military is half way across the world insuring religious freedom to those of the same faith whose fanatical fringe has attacked, tortured, and murdered our citizens. While approximately 95% of America claims to be Christian they are not granted those same freedoms.
Those of you who would point out the mindless facts that the 25th of December is really not the birthday of Christ, or that the Kings did not come to worship the Christ child until about a month later, or that there is no real evidence that there were three kings, only three gifts … please. We base our respect for institutions on tradition. For instance there is no evidence for the story of Santa, but we have respected it (up until the last few seasons) because of the tradition built around an advertisement for Coke at the turn of the last century.
But head way has finally been made. In some circles “Merry Christmas” has slowly found its way back to the main stream of advertising and salutation. I would like to say that this is because of logic and freedom of speech. I mean, how can any even think wishing somebody, anybody, a joyous day on Dec. 25th, is a bad thing? But that is not so. Rather it is because of the almighty dollar. These gains have been realized only through Christian based boycotts and law suites. For instance the latest retail giants to cave have been Target and Sears. They are actually agreeing that it is all but inane to band the words ‘Merry Christmas’ in their holiday marketing. Furthermore, the sacred song, Silent Night’s make over into ‘Cold in the Night’ has been dropped by a school system which has decided to give the song back its original lyrics … rather than fight a law suite. Couple that with the City of Boston and the White House agreeing that the tree they decorate at this time of year is indeed a Christmas Tree, not a Holiday Tree, and the truism, turn about is fair play has found new validity.
It is funny how the ACLU and other pro-choice proponents lecture us on the fact that the Supreme Court has already ruled on abortion, and that makes it ‘settled law’… almost sacred to them. Yet the Supreme Court has ruled that as long as any faith is not exclusive in the public place, any religion may be displayed. Most Christians do not object to allowing public display of the Minora, Crescent, and or any other religious symbol espousing good will toward mankind … just as the Supreme Court has ruled. Yet they simultaneously attack the Courts decisions on other settled law … i.e. religious expression in public, marriage, gun rights, etc.
Who could have believed merely a decade ago that the Christmas message that God so loved His creation that He became one of His creatures to save them from an eternity of hate and prejudice would be anything but embraced? If this message were housed under any other title but Christianity it would qualify as Politically Correct. Perhaps WorldnetDaily.com’s Managing Editor David Kupelian puts it best: “Our nation’s founding religion is being attacked as never before. The Constitution is being twisted out of all recognition, history is being rewritten, and Christian teachings and observances are being shut out and shut up. And while we sit around watching this helplessly, we’re bequeathing a different America to our children. It’s time for people to wake up.” And perhaps in the Christmas of 2005 they finally have … Merry Christmas.