Christianophobia

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Posted: December 13, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern


© 2004 Creators Syndicate, Inc.


"'Tis the season to be jolly." But, as usual, not for all of us.

It is the Christmas season, that time in December when all good Christians celebrate the birth of the Savior of mankind, born in a stable in Bethlehem, 2,000 years ago.

It is a time of family gatherings and gift-giving, of joyous music and fond memories. For some, it is one of the few days of the year, Easter being the other, when they return to the old church for the feast day that yet retains its hold upon them from childhood.

Even many non-believers celebrate, for Christmas joy is contagious.

But not for all. For some, it is not too much to say that they hate the idea of Christmas with a deep abiding hate, not just the "Bah, humbug!" dismissal of old Scrooge. They want Christmas dead.

As usual, they are busy at work, going to court to get Nativity scenes expunged from public squares, demanding that statues of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus be removed from department stores and parades, checking vigilantly to see that any and all caroling at public schools is free of such outrages as "Silent Night." For people such as these, even Santa has become an intolerably divisive figure who must be purged from public life.

And this year, again, they are meeting with some success, especially with a business community for whom Christmas has always been about sales volume, not salvation.

Target stores have told the Salvation Army it may no longer station volunteers at store entrances, with their red kettles, and solicit charitable contributions for the poor. The 30-year tradition that reaped the Army $9 million a year has been terminated

The reason? Says Target, unconvincingly, it is so the company can have a consistent policy of no solicitations outside its stores. But in recent years, the gay lobby has pressured Target to ban the Army because it is Christian and rejects homosexuality as sinful.

Now Macy's has stopped using the phrase "Merry Christmas" in all store advertising, replacing it with what Macy's calls the more inclusive "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Holidays."

But how is it "inclusive" to exclude the Christians' greeting? Is that not anti-Christian? Why would the Macy's of the "Miracle on 34th Street" do such a thing? Why would Federated Department Stores, Macy's parent company, impose such a policy?

By Newton's laws of motion, an object moving in a given direction will continue to do so unless an outside force intervenes. What hidden force intervened to cause Macy's to reverse course and suddenly sever its ties to Christmas? Who insisted that Macy's cease to mention Christmas, the holiday around which its selling season is built?

It is hard to believe some Macy's executive took it upon himself to make so offensive a decision as to expunge "Merry Christmas" from the store, when so many of Macy's most loyal shoppers were certain to be disheartened and hurt. Who is trying to kill Christmas?

It needs to be said. What we are witnessing here are hate crimes against Christianity – the manifestations, the symptoms of a sickness of the soul, a disease a Vatican diplomat correctly calls "Christianophobia," the fear and loathing of all things Christian, coupled with a fanatic will to expunge from the public life of the West all reminders that ours was once a Christian civilization and America once a Christian country.

Americans are among the most tolerant of peoples. No one demands that any dissenting adult or child be made to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, or join in Christmas caroling, or be forced to say a prayer before class, or go to church at Christmas. The Christian majority only asks that they be free to be themselves, to exercise their freedom to express their love of their Savior as the First Amendment has always guaranteed.

But what are we to make of Maplewood, N.J., where the Columbus High School brass ensemble was ordered not to play a single Christmas carol at their holiday concert, not even an instrumental version. Parents and students were outraged. "This is censorship at its most basic level," said student Ryan Dahn. Correct, Ryan.

In Denver, officials of the annual Parade of Lights refused to permit in the parade a float carrying the banner "Merry Christmas" with members of the Faith Bible Chapel congregation, who were to sing Christmas carols. Approved was a float sponsored by Two Souls, an American Indian group that considers homosexuality holy.

While Christmas often brings forth the best in some of us, because of who and what is being celebrated, that is not true for all of us. For some, it brings forth the purest malevolence. Why? Sadly, because they do not know Him. Nevertheless, Merry Christmas – to all.

Some Americans are.

Thank you, Grandpa, and Merry Christmas to you, too. I sincerely wish you the best in celebrating the birth of the icon that represents all that is good in mankind.

As far as the posted article; classic Buchanan, Mr. Isolationist himself. Ann Coulter was bad enough, but now Pat, too? You're really hangin' on the fringe. Ol' Pat ain't the most tolerant of Christians, ya know. Matter of fact, one could easily accuse him of anythingbuthiskindofchristianphobia.

However, I agree with much of what he says here. Before my kids went shopping this year I told them Target was off limits because of their Salvation Army ban. But Pat's way off base with his accusation of the gay lobby. Pat's just trying to stir up more hate in the name of red.

And Macy's? That's pure economics. (It's not in Newton's Laws) They're just trying to appeal to more diversified religious demographics. Personally, I think they suck for it. But I'd think Pat would be proud of that entrepreneurial move; it's so Republican. By the way, how exactly is "Season's Greetings" exclusive?

So, as repugnant as I find those that try to ban things Christmas from America, I find even more repugnant those that use the other's actions to stir their fire of hate towards those that view the world differently. Of all the times in the year to be tolerant, open-hearted, and understanding, I'd think the Hannukah-WinterSolstice-Christmas-Kwaanza season would be the most obvious.

Besides, Happy-Merry Hannukah-WinterSolstice-Christmas-Kwaanza just doesn't quite roll off the tongue.

what a lovely christian sentiment.

Dude, whatever happened to good will toward man? not to mention peace on earth, but that's a whole different story isn't it?

again, if you are trying to imply that somehow non-christians cannot appreciate and celebrate the life of christ during the holidays you are perpetuating a hypocrisy of the highest possible magnitude. I think I spelled it out pretty clearly in the other thread on the exact same subject.

You give up every trapping christianity has borrowed from other religions and cultures, then you'll have the high ground on which to pontificate.

otherwise its another roll in the mud.

...and here's a thought...

give me a solid reason why, when the Bible so clearly states that it is the mission of Christians to spread the good news of Christ, you would hold it against unbelievers for celebrating the birth of the bearer of that news?

Actually I do wish you guys a Merry Christmas no matter what that means to you. My real point is that I see it as unfortunate that some are so bent on stopping everything Christian that they are trying not just to make the holiday more all inclusive but spoil many enjoyable and healthy traditions in the process. Too many lawyers I say. Too much ACLU interference. Not enough good will towards men.

All crazy arguing aside I hope all who lurk these parts have a happy time over the next week. Hope the new baby brings joy into your home and that we can all appreciate whatever we have atleast for awhile.

Merry Christmas and thank God for the ACLU.

I also hate to see what have been traditional symbols and activities of Christmas disappear, regardless of religious significance. I don't often shop at Target, but I've been stuffing twice as many bills in the Salvation Army bucket at QFC this year.

Merry Christmas, Grandpa.

Peace on earth, good will toward men.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Good post Salmo.