Wed, 12/19/2007 - 09:01 — Rottenchester
Posting will continue to be light until after the baby Jesus' birthday. You would think that being the son of God would be enough for the guy, but he apparently needs two whole months of decoration, lights, singing and shopping every year in order to be satisfied that we remembered his birthday. I'm happy with a pair of socks and a bottle of scotch. And if someone mumbles a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sotto voce, I consider it a banner year.
As a non-militant atheist, I find all the "War on Christmas" rhetoric amusing. If such a war exists, it makes our debacle in Iraq look like the Marianas turkey shoot. In other words, Christmas is winning, big-time.
I live in a supposedly lily-white Christian suburb. Not so: Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Buddhists live on my street, not to mention atheists, agnostics and other assorted heathens. We all have to put up with 8 weeks of repetitive music, garish decorations, and rampant materialism. Yet when our school district tries to make Christmas break "Holiday Break", and forbids the use of obvious symbols of Christianity, some parents react as if they replaced the lunch ladies with paroled child molesters.
I believe every Christian has an absolute right to celebrate Christmas in their homes and churches. But I also think that the Hindi, Muslim and Jewish kids on my block get enough Christmas in the stores and on TV. They don't need to have more displays and activities funded by their parents' tax dollars.
Also, those who regularly genuflect in reverence towards "the market" should recognize that my neighbors shop, too. Maybe when a clerk says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," my neighbors and I will feel more comfortable in the store, and we'll be more likely to buy there. That's basic capitalism, not a "war".
Well, enough of that. Even though I'm an atheist, I'm also a devoted Dad and husband, so I'm off to do yet more Christmas shopping. No Massa press conference coverage, and light posting will ensue. Baby needs some new toys.
Comments
As a card carrying Christian and the president of my parish council, I couldn’t agree with you more about the Christmas season dragging on too long.
My sadness at the loss of saying “Merry Christmas” reflects more on the loss of a tradition, than a religious feeling.
I continue to wish people a “Merry Christmas”, and have actually been taken to task for not being sensitive enough toward other peoples’ feelings. I feel that they are trying to make me feel guilty about celebrating my holiday and it does smell a little bit of political correctness.
On the other hand, I have never said anything to anyone who wishes me a “Happy Holiday”. That is their right. I just hope some don’t do it for fear of the “thought police”.
So, in ending, Merry Christmas to all of you! (And a special Happy Holidays to Rottenchester).
As I said, I'm not a militant atheist, so when I see a neighbor or friend who I know celebrates Christmas, I tell them "Merry Christmas". If I don't know them, I keep my mouth shut or return whatever greeting I get, including "Happy Holidays."
So, Merry Christmas, Elmer.
Nice post.
You would think that being the son of God would be enough for the guy, but he apparently needs two whole months of decoration, lights, singing and shopping every year in order to be satisfied that we remembered his birthday. I'm happy with a pair of socks and a bottle of scotch.
Yep, I'm thinking if I hear the 12 days of Christmas one more time my head will explode.
I'm not an atheist, but I'm also not a Christian. I'm also a public school teacher and this year I was more acutely aware of the uber-hype than usual. It kind of pushed me to be more sensitive to the other non-Christians.
However, the curriculum landed me on the holocaust my last week of instruction, and I apologized to the Christians for killing their holiday buzz, but pointed out that Jesus was a great teacher and that if more people actually followed more of his teachings before organized religion came in and twisted them that there might be decidedly less genocide in the world today.
Merry merry holidays to all who create, maintain, and enjoy this important blog. From chilly Olean!