In 21st Century America We Can Curse God—But Not Praise Him
By Debbie Daniel (12/28/03)
It’s been a very Merry Christmas season for me, or will that offend someone?
Wow, Christmas Day isn´t even here yet and I´ve been so excited to be with friends and loved ones that I don´t know what to do. I thought for sure the ACLU would make its way to our little town and threaten the live nativity scene at the annual Christmas festival, but it didn´t happen. The choirs were able to use the original words to the Christmas carols, so double WOWs . . . we´re celebrating Christmas just like old times.
But what about next year?
The first demonstration of gifts given on that first Christmas Day over 2000 years ago was an act of love for the newborn baby, Jesus Christ. People came from everywhere bearing gifts and presenting them to this Holy Child in celebration of His birth. There was singing and shouts of praise and hosannas heard for miles around . . . “the newborn King” is here.
Over two thousand years . . . and now we´ve decided to remove His name from the “list?”
No more gifts for that Jesus kid. Take His name off the roll — find another name for the “big event” — we´re changing the script.
Oh, but keep it a special day — businesses need the money — and people still want to get gifts under the Christmas . . . excuse me, “Holiday” Tree.
Ha! Well, let´s just tear down the manger, throw out the baby, and get a new screenplay written. Yes, it was one of the greatest historic events ever witnessed, and we have testimony to validate its truth, but it´s time to move on from that baby Jesus “thing” and get with it. We need a new character to play the leading role on this day we call Christmas.
Well, I guess we better throw out the Bibles; the birth was recorded. We could rip those pages out, get some new writers, and give it a whole new meaning. Won´t that work? But don´t forget the gift give-away, that´s still a good idea, and you´ll keep the retail stores happy.
The Bibles should go anyway; the information it contains is a bit overwhelming for all our new guests in America. Many want to make this their home. They bring with them different beliefs, different symbols of religion, and we would not want our guests offended by any belief we might have in a God that is contradictory to theirs. How dare we be so insensitive. Have we forgotten our manners?
Strike the name Jesus and Christmas from all the Christmas, sorry, “Holiday” Carols and replace them with secular words. The mention of Jesus´ name is offensive. It is now: “Sweet Little Holiday Boy, Lying in a Manger” or better yet, “O Holiday Night”, rather than “O Holy Night.”
Goodness, we might as well get it over with. I´m sick of drawing out this slow demise of Christmas. We´re either going to continue to fight for our right to have Christmas Day and all that it stands for, or give it up quickly and start handing in our Bibles to the ACLU for the “Great Bible Bonfire.”
Do we really believe the act of gift-giving started when Macy´s, J.C. Penney´s, or Sears decided to have a big gift buying event and then picked a day to give it all away?
The idea that we change the name of our Christmas carols if they refer to Jesus Christ, God, or anything that would denote something religious or holy, is absolutely unconscionable.
Christmas is a good thing. It´s the same Christmas I´ve known since I was a little girl. Why are we determined to change it into something else?
Christmas is a time of celebration. What do they think we´ve been celebrating these past 2000 years? If it´s not the birth of Jesus Christ, what is it?
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, have we been told not to mention the name of Dr. King for fear it would offend someone? But you might say the name Christmas has a religious connotation. Well, so does the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - he was a very religious man; a Christian who became a Baptist preacher, and he certainly celebrated Christmas.
Isn´t it amazing that there are only two federal holidays named after “religious” men and now the one for whom Dr. King dedicated his life is being cast out? Zip, zilch, nada . . . no more Jesus at Christmas?
You know, there is probably something about every single aspect of our lives that could offend someone. But Christmas? Have we lost our minds .. . our hearts? What are we doing?
As excited as I am about this Christmas season, I am also keenly aware of some pretty lonely soldiers right now who are not the least bit concerned about offending anyone. I imagine they´re holding on to every song and lyric they can remember of Christmases past. And for some reason if someone were to start singing “Silent Night, Holy Night,” I believe there would be some tears to fall. And ne´er should anyone try to correct them.
I don´t think they´re going to get the “memo” about changing the words from religious to secular. In fact, I guarantee they couldn´t care less about some crazy school administrators in Wisconsin who have lost their minds over revising these words. Oh, I just sit here trembling in disbelief over the idea of changing Christmas as we´ve known it.
Our kids can be exposed to men and women kissing and fondling those of the same sex as they march down the “public” streets of America in Gay Pride parades, but this same freedom of expression or speech will not allow our children to sing a song about Jesus?
We can listen to the “F” word spoken on network television, which is allowed by the Federal Communication Commission, but because it is used as an adjective or emphasizes an exclamation, it is therefore acceptable and does not render any material obscene?
Oh, I see.
We can curse God, but not praise Him? We can say in vain, “Jesus Christ, Holy Shi-,” but not “Jesus Christ, Holy One?”
“God Da-- You” is common language, but “God Bless You” or “God Bless America” gets an annoyed look?
Hmmm . . . you know, when I think about it, I believe I´m the one that´s offended.
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