A War on Christmas

[Warped]

(CNN) -- Americans are in a war that pits the politically correct against Christmas carolers, some say. They say it's a battle that plays out in the halls of Congress, retail stores and public schools across the country, and it's one that's been raging for years.

Republican Rep. Henry Brown of South Carolina introduced a resolution this month asking that the House express support for the use of Christmas symbols and traditions and frown on any attempt to ban references to the holiday.

"Each year, I could see a diminishing value of the spiritual part of Christmas," Brown said. "It would seem like another group would go from the Christmas spirit to the holiday spirit."

"What I'm afraid of -- if we don't bring some kind of closure to this continuous change, then in 20 years it will almost be completely different from what we see today ... and so we would lose the whole emphasis of what the very early beginnings of Christmas was all about."

So far, the resolution has one Democrat and 72 Republicans as co-sponsors. The House hasn't taken it up, but the chamber adopted similar resolutions in the past.

Barry Lynn, an ordained minister and executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, isn't keen on the prospect of congressional action.
Don't try to 'help' the baby Jesus by passing a resolution on his behalf.
--Barry Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

"Resolutions like this come up because there is this bizarre view by some members of Congress that there is a war on Christmas and that they have to be the generals in some responding army," he said.

"My advice to the lawmakers would be promote any religion you have through your private acts, and don't try to 'help' the baby Jesus by passing a resolution on his behalf. It is arrogant and ridiculous at the same time," Lynn said.

Christmas is in no danger of being ignored, Lynn said, noting that signs of the holiday emerge as soon as Halloween passes.

"You would literally have to be living in a very deep cave not to understand that there is a religious holiday called Christmas that is soon to come," he said.

In his view, some people feel a "false sense of some kind of attack on Christmas" if a school holds a winter concert instead of a Christmas concert, or if retailers declare "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

Time.com: Brief history of the war on Christmas

In California, Tea Party activist Merry Hyatt is trying to get support for a ballot initiative that would require that public schools give their students an opportunity to hear Christmas songs. (Parents could opt out for their children).

Lynn said the move violates the principles of church-state separation.

"It's not being anti-Christmas to recognize that most Christmas carols are really hymns, and a hymn is a prayer set to music."

Mathew Staver, law school dean at Liberty University, a Virginia college founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, said, however, that some schools and businesses are going too far to "censor" Christmas because they don't know the laws.

Staver founded the Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit litigation group dedicated to advancing religious freedom and conservative values. The counsel provides free legal advice and defense for government entities to ensure religious viewpoints on Christmas are not censored.

One example Staver cited began in Oregon, where an elementary school principal replaced Christmas trees with snowmen and banned all religious symbols, saying Santa Claus fell into the category.

Liberty Counsel sent the principal a letter telling her the law doesn't require her to "secularize" the holiday. The counsel also pointed out that by banning religious symbols for a holiday with secular components, she risked violating the Constitution by not being "viewpoint neutral," Staver said.

Parents were upset as well. The principal eventually changed course and restored the tree and jolly St. Nick.

Staver keeps a "Naughty & Nice" list that shows which retailers include references to Christmas in their advertising and which do not.

When he started the list five years ago, both sides were about even, but this year the "nice" list is longer.

"It's better this year than it was in 2005, but I think it's better this year because we and others have made a point to make sure that Christmas is not forgotten," he said.

Peter Sprigg, a senior fellow for policy studies with the Family Research Council, which promotes Christian values, said the "pro-Christmas side" has made progress in recent years.

In some circles, he said, "Political correctness is preventing people from even sayings 'Merry Christmas.' "

He said it's important to defend the right of people to celebrate the holiday and noted that December 25 is a federal holiday the government recognizes as Christmas.

"If we want to be concerned about the fact that we are a multicultural nation, then the solution is to allow everyone the freedom to celebrate what they want rather than stifling the celebration of the majority because it might be offensive to the minority," Sprigg said.

In Washington, Republicans have taken up the war on Christmas as their own battle.

"Republicans and conservatives have definitely gained a lot of political points by pointing out some of the silliest and more extreme examples of political correctness," said Tom Smith, director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Research Center.

But Republicans also should worry about pushing it too far, he added, because the American people believe in "good liberal thoughts" like "diversity and different people all being treated the same." It's OK to attack political correctness, he said, but the GOP must be careful not to come off as "anti-minority or against diversity."

The attack can backfire as well if voters think their representative is more committed to protecting Christmas than protecting jobs or economic stability, Smith said.

For Staver, the campaign to save Christmas continues, and it's one he will never abandon.

"What happens this year is not necessarily an indication of what will happen next year, so I think each Christmas has to stand on its own and I think each one is worth fighting for," he said.

"I think we are winning a lot of the battles in the war on Christmas, but I don't think the war is done, and I don't think it ever will be."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/18/war.on.christmas/index.html

I was going to post this earlier but even in our break room we had a Christmas tree, some presents, and lots of giftwrap up on the walls and some douchebag had to complain about it and now all the stuff got torn down. Now its really either and Athiests breakroom or some Muslim breakroom I have no idea. Anyway it wasn't like we had crosses and holy water set up everywhere. I see Christmas as a holiday almost anyone can celebrate now and its a shame it had to come to this

 

[Escaep]

We've become too scared to offend anyone nowadays.

 

[Raziaar]

Spoiler

 

[CptStern]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/18/war.on.christmas/index.html

I was going to post this earlier but even in our break room we had a Christmas tree, some presents, and lots of giftwrap up on the walls and some douchebag had to complain about it and now all the stuff got torn down. Now its really either and Athiests breakroom or some Muslim breakroom I have no idea. Anyway it wasn't like we had crosses and holy water set up everywhere. I see Christmas as a holiday almost anyone can celebrate now and its a shame it had to come to this

it's a conspiracy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkTyPzRzuwc&feature=player_embedded




also **** christians. they stole a pagan holiday and are now crying when other groups do the same to them? there's not a shred of truth to the christmas story so why continue the charade?

http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_lib.htm


ps: it's my work's CHRISTMAS party tonight. there'll be at least few jews and a couple of muslims in attendance. also a bunch of people who couldnt care less about jebus.

 

[No Limit]

Now its really either and Athiests breakroom or some Muslim breakroom I have no idea.

Huh?

..

 

[15357]

**** Christmas. There I've said it.

 

[Darkside55]

"...we would lose the whole emphasis of what the very early beginnings of Christmas was all about."

That's what I'm saying, man. Fuck this "happy holidays" shit and let's go back to remembering what December 25 was REALLY about: THE DAY OF THE UNCONQUERABLE SUN. Let us prepare our hymns to King Helios as we watch the daylight hours lengthen on this, our winter solstice.

 

[Qonfused]

Hint: Christmas hasn't been a Christian holiday for a long, long time.

 

[Raziaar]

I can't stand it when people get offended when somebody says Happy Holidays.

"IT'S CHRISTMAS! IT'S CHRISTMAS! I CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE WE'RE A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY!" they scream...

Assholes.

 

[15357]

That's what I'm saying, man. Fuck this "happy holidays" shit and let's go back to remembering what December 25 was REALLY about: THE DAY OF THE UNCONQUERABLE SUN. Let us prepare our hymns to King Helios as we watch the daylight hours lengthen on this, our winter solstice.

I thought you had to calculate that on the lunar calendar...

 

[CptStern]

I can't stand it when people get offended when somebody says Happy Holidays.

"IT'S CHRISTMAS! IT'S CHRISTMAS! I CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE WE'RE A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY!" they scream...

Assholes.

"oh it's also Hannuka. I thought you were a jew. sorry my mistake. didnt think only christians were allowed to celebrate this time of the year"


thankfully I've never run in to someone who would get angry if I said "happy holidays". I kinda wish I would so I could tear them a new hole

 

[MJ12]

don't you ****ers ever wish me a merry christmas again

 

[VirusType2]

I think 1/4 of America's energy problem comes from excessive Christmas lights usage.

 

[CptStern]

ya americans go a little overboard

 

[VirusType2]

When I was very young, the whole family would pack into 'the tank' as my brother called it - a very large family car; then we'd prowl up and down streets checking out the lights. Most houses had some Christmas lights, but on every street there was always one that was epic.

I guess it's cool for the kids, but I don't know, maybe they can start using LED. They are extremely efficient. Do they have those yet, I wonder.

google says **** yes.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=led+christmas+lights&aq=f&aqi=g10&oq=&fp=b36c7832dbb01be6


I feel a little better now. When I was a kid Christmas lights were almost the size of those candle shaped standard light bulbs, and just as inefficient.

 

[CptStern]

almost all christmas lights sold in stores are LED. the traditional ones are quickly being phased out

 

[Tacoeaterguy]

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Most houses had some Christmas lights, but on every street there was always one that was epic.

You need a car?

I guess it's cool for the kids, but I don't know, maybe they can start using LED. They are extremely efficient. Do they have those yet, I wonder.

Yeah, my parents got LED chistmas lights this year.

 

[Sheepo]

Blah, blah, blah, Christmas music sucks, war on Christmas is trivial, Christmas has no "spiritual value" anyway blah blah blah

 

[Warped]

Blah, blah, blah, Christmas music sucks, war on Christmas is trivial, Christmas has no "spiritual value" anyway blah blah blah

you should remove your santa hat from your avatar at once and report to work on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day for double duty! chop chop!

 

[Maestro]

Hannukah isn't at the same time of the Gregorian calendar every year.

I hate political correctness, celebrate Christmas or whatever god-damn holiday you want just don't step on my toes about it.

 

[xdrive]

Excuse me! i am Muslim. How dare you practice your christian Christmas tradition in your own country! How disrespectful to me and my fellow immigrants that have immigrated to your country. You should be respectful of my religion by NOT practicing yours.

 

[Seppo]

nbody should ever have a good time and I hate it when people have fun.

 

[Eejit]

Relevant. Barely.

 

[Solaris]

I for one like Christmas and defend it's place in schools and the workplace.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

I've never personally come into contact with anyone who was actively trying to get Christmas out of anything. Obviously some people grumble, but people will complain about everything - I complain about a lot of things.

The only case I can think of of someone banning Christmas is Cromwell.

 

[Eejit]

And Cromwell was one of the biggest dickholes in history.

 

[xdrive]

I can't believe any of you would dare practice your own religion in your own country! You should all respect me and everyone else that not follow your religion by not practicing yours! How dare you!

 

[L3N!N]

ya Texans go a little overboard

I concur.

 

[Danimal]

Relevant. Barely.

I don't need to read any other post, or come back to this thread ever.

Eejit has given me the lulz I wanted.

 

[cleverendeavouR]

We had Christmas banned at my high school.

They would give you detentions for talking about it or bringing in presents.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

I think you're exaggerating.

 

[cleverendeavouR]

I'm not. They always gave unnecessary punishments for silly stuff.

If a teacher even heard your cell phone you'd have 3 days detention, if it happened a second time you were given 3 days of internal suspension.

 

[ríomhaire]

Your school is retarded. You need to organise a flash mob of carollors.

 

[Maestro]

I'm not. They always gave unnecessary punishments for silly stuff.

If a teacher even heard your cell phone you'd have 3 days detention, if it happened a second time you were given 3 days of internal suspension.

Where do you go to school?!

 

[cleverendeavouR]

In New Jersey of course. What other state would have such silly rules!

 

[Baserape>]

Iran?

 

[Solaris]

I don't believe the guy, must be lying.

 

[Polaris]

It's funny how conservative Protestants are now strident proponents of celebration of Christmas, in early days of Puritanism they banned Christmas for being both pagan like and pro-Catholic. Now they're trying to cram Christmas down anyones throat if you like them or not. Of course the real, traditional Christian Christmas with Baby Jesus, Santa Claus, reindeers and Coca-Cola...

Actually I like and celebrate Christmas and I think that American liberals are shooting themselves in the foot with their so much politically correct rhetoric, especially around this date.