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Tuesday, December 13, 2005
White House 'Holiday' Cards
I
applaud President Bush for sending out cards wishing "holiday" greetings and omitting the mention of Christmas from his message. Given that we live in a secular society, it's refreshing to see tolerance and good sense in recognizing that many of us celebrate the holiday season while not celebrating Christmas.
H
owever, the President's generic "holiday" card has provoked cries regarding a supposed "war on Christmas." But this "war" is an imaginary, one-sided affair, existing only as a weapon in the arsenal of right-wing ideologues.
I
t sets up as a straw dog people who disagree with their opinion on the role of religion in the public arena. There is no war on Christmas. Rather, there is a genuine and deep disagreement in this country about the role of religious displays in public institutions. This is not a war; this is democracy.
I
am fond of Christmas--the music, decorations and spirit. Yet I don't think that the school library is the appropriate place for a child to see a Nativity scene, menorah or any other display of religious symbols. Religious education should be left to the parents.
M
any people disagree, but I don't see myself as being at war with them. Right-wing ideologues, however, see any disagreement with their views as apocalyptic and can, apparently, only react with hysteria.
Posted by fm on December 13, 2005 at 12:18 AM