news-record.com

Oh yeah -- it never feels like Christmas any more unless there are some people going around whining about a "war on Christmas." Obviously, anyone who isn't Christian couldn't POSSIBLY be celebrating some other holidays or festivals at this time of year, so anyone who tries to include those imaginary people are just spitting in the face of the only legitimate celebration around.

Seriously.. with all the crap going on in the world today, you feel it's necessary to complain that someone calls a pagan tree display a "community holiday tree"?

And to the N&R staff: why do you encourage such pettiness by posting this drivel? I know you're a community service, but can't you find some way to help encourage people to grow up?

"Isn’t it the Christmas holiday season? Why else are we having a holiday?"

Are people really that ignorant?

Here's a brief list of other holidays this season, several of which predate Christianity:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice#Observances

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THAT POST HERE!

As a professing christian, it doesnt matter to me what they call the tree, it is irrelevant to the celebration I am enjoying on that day. While I do say "Christmas tree" It just as easy a Pine tree to me.
We christians seem to get too wrapped up (no pun intended) at Christmas over this and that.
Christmas has never been proven to be the day that the Christ was born,and has roots to paganism. It is just the day it that his birth is is celebrated . And if that is your reason for enjoying the holiday, as it should be, Then A bunch of idolistic ornaments, should be of no concern. My concern on christmas (and any other day), as is relevant in the christian faith, is that families have food to eat, shelter, and warmth. That my family be together, as many of us as possible.. Give prayers and thanks, enjoy a few surprises..

On a more general train of thought: here's a quote from another Christmas complaint letter today, that they didn't allow comments on:

"What has happened to this country? The majority should rule.

Merry Christmas."

These writers yearn for conformity, as if having everyone follow their direction, life would be better. That's a fantasy, of course. Conflicts will arise, even within the same religion. Why, I'm sure few Americans are aware that Christmas was never celebrated here before the Civil War, not even with a day off from work. And for the record, the Pilgrims considered celebrating Christ's birth as blasphemy. And there are Christian sects today that have the same view.

But what is this desire to have everyone conforming to social celebration conventions? Sure, the society needs to have rules that everyone follows to operate with a minimum of chaos. But holidays don't need to be in that mix; certainly they don't need to be in a society that has a basic rule allowing religious freedom.

I was struck by a statement from a news item on NPR the other morning, about ethnic tensions in northern Iraq. The reporter was talking about the American forces leaving and the declining influence of Americans to keep the peace between Iraqi Muslims (of both major flavors) and Kurds. The reporter said "When guns are drawn in the future, no one knows whether peace will be maintained." As if these groups will inevitably come to blows. And I wondered "Why must these different groups come into conflict?" Their differences should only be superficial, but too many of them prefer conflict, and deadly conflict at that. That's no way to live.

We see similar problems here. People see those around them who differ from them religiously and they get upset, start talking about "political correctness" and how THEIR religion is under attack and in danger of being wiped out. All because they see people who disagree with them? For crying out loud, people... stop making a big deal about it and enjoy your holiday however you want. And if you WANT to enjoy your holiday by whining over the fact that *I* don't celebrate the hoiday your way... I suggest you re-think what you find "enjoyment."

It's called CHRISTmas. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. It you want to celebrate something other, then why not find another time during the year to celebrate whatever it is you want and we won't impose our beliefs on you at that time as you try to do to us. Maybe sometime in May, you can have a "holiday celebration".

Some housekeeping notes:

* To paraphrase a former U.S. Secy of Defense, you go to print with the letters you have, not the letters you want. Today was one of those days.

* @ nemo: Please stay on topic. If that other LTE was open for comment, you could comment on it. But it's not, so you can't. In the meantime, please enjoy one of the other several dozen stories that are open to comments.

* @ Dave: I think your Caps Lock key is broken. Might want to get Santa to hook you up with a new one.

GG

Here's my take:

The Christmas Tree has been associated with Christmas for as long as anyone can remember. Calling it something else is blatantly censoring the word Christmas in fear of offending somebody. Most people, believers or not, could care less what you call the tree.

There are several different celebrations that happen at this time of the year. But let's face it, without Christmas being at the center, there likely wouldn't be a parade.

I do not have a problem recognizing other holidays when appropriate. Whether it's hannukah or even Kwanzaa( which in my opinion is probably the least historical of holidays). Display the menorrah and respect other people's beliefs. But I feel the censoring of the mention of the word Christmas is an attack on Christian beliefs.