The War on Religion ( Archived) (30)

From Rep. Ron Paul, MD

“As we celebrate another Yuletide season, it’s hard not to notice that Christmas in America simply doesn’t feel the same anymore. Although an overwhelming majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, and those who don’t celebrate it overwhelmingly accept and respect our nation’s Christmas traditions, a certain shared public sentiment slowly has disappeared. The Christmas spirit, marked by a wonderful feeling of goodwill among men, is in danger of being lost in the ongoing war against religion.
Through perverse court decisions and years of cultural indoctrination, the elitist, secular Left has managed to convince many in our nation that religion must be driven from public view. The justification is always that someone, somewhere, might possibly be offended or feel uncomfortable living in the midst of a largely Christian society, so all must yield to the fragile sensibilities of the few. The ultimate goal of the anti-religious elites is to transform America into a completely secular nation, a nation that is legally and culturally biased against Christianity.
This growing bias explains why many of our wonderful Christmas traditions have been lost. Christmas pageants and plays, including Handel’s Messiah, have been banned from schools and community halls. Nativity scenes have been ordered removed from town squares, and even criticized as offensive when placed on private church lawns. Office Christmas parties have become taboo, replaced by colourless seasonal parties to ensure no employees feel threatened by a “hostile environment.” Even wholly non-religious decorations featuring Santa Claus, snowmen, and the like have been called into question as Christmas symbols that might cause discomfort. Earlier this month, firemen near Chicago reluctantly removed Christmas decorations from their firehouse after a complaint by some embittered busybody. Most noticeably, however, the once commonplace refrain of “Merry Christmas” has been replaced by the vague, ubiquitous “Happy Holidays.” But what holiday? Is Christmas some kind of secret, a word that cannot be uttered in public? Why have we allowed the secularists to intimidate us into downplaying our most cherished and meaningful Christian celebration?
The notion of a rigid separation between church and state has no basis in either the text of the Constitution or the writings of our Founding Fathers. On the contrary, our Founders’ political views were strongly informed by their religious beliefs. Certainly the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both replete with references to God, would be aghast at the federal government’s hostility to religion. The establishment clause of the First Amendment was simply intended to forbid the creation of an official state church like the Church of England, not to drive religion out of public life.
The Founding Fathers envisioned a robustly Christian yet religiously tolerant America, with churches serving as vital institutions that would eclipse the state in importance. Throughout our nation’s history, churches have done what no government can ever do, namely teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government. This is the real reason the collectivist Left hates religion: Churches as institutions compete with the state for the people’s allegiance, and many devout people put their faith in God before their faith in the state. Knowing this, the secularists wage an ongoing war against religion, chipping away bit by bit at our nation’s Christian heritage. Christmas itself may soon be a casualty of that war.”
Dr. Ron Paul is a Republican member of Congress from Texas.

I have to say that as a Pagan I have objected to this as well. Churches have the right to display nativity scenes, though I don't believe that they belong in the town square. I've never objected to being wished a "Merry Christmas", and can even say the words in return...but I have appreciated more the co-workers and friends who are aware that Yule/Solstice is my holiday and wished me either a Happy Yule or a Happy Solstice...and wished them a Merry Christmas in return with more feeling than to those who say that to me instead. (Gosh I hope you followed that wording.)

Our nation's heritage is religious freedom, not Christianity. There are many from all faiths here, and all have the same rights.

nobody wants 'the log' conrad

Ho Ho Ho

I am opposed to any organized(sic) religion. Christian, Pagan, moslem,mor any other. Christmas is just a happy time for many, and I don't think there are many that even think about it's religious beginnings. Of course, when talking to the media....everyone claims to be a Christian.

Religious symbols do not belong in any govenment establishment, Period!!

I am Glad to a organized religion. Christian,. Christmas is just a happy time or many, and I t think there are many that even think about it's religious beginnings. Of course, when talking to the media....everyone claims to be a Christian.But thankfully i respect my Pilgrim Forefathers as its the American way of life which i hold dear to me as a patriot


SHIPBROKER YOUR COMING CLEAN AT LAST