Salvos in the War on Christmas

Continued from page 3

Dear John:

I fear you are missing the forest for the "Christmas trees!"

You insist that I revisit the question "Is a Christmas tree a celebration of religion?" I gave you one fine answer: "maybe," but I can see you need another one. Here it is: "It depends who you ask."

As I noted in my last letter (I'm writing to you more often than to Santa), courts don't consider "lighted evergreens" to be religious symbols as such. Personally, I have always tried, as a Christian, to decouple our family gift-giving from the religious significance of the season (rejecting the "wise men gave gifts to the baby Jesus, so we will give you toys" analogy). But, obviously, if a city-sponsored tree lighting is accompanied by a priest's blessing (as recently occurred on Long Island), he would seem to be making that ceremony "religious." Indeed, some of those commenting on our little exchange here also attribute some Christian religious message to those trees.

But, John, the big issue is not about trees. I have never sued to have one taken down and shredded into pine mulch. However, I am still trying to figure out why you think a public school or a city council is being "hostile" to Christianity if it does call a tree something else-the awkwardly named "holiday tree" or the "tree of lights." What possible injury is caused by using a word other than "Christmas"?

Do you believe that Christianity, survivor of genuine persecution from the days of the Roman Empire to today's Communist China, is going to fall apart over some perceived snub by the mayor of some town in New Jersey? You must be kidding.

On the other hand, just a few days ago on your syndicated radio show (how's that for a plug?) you told me how upset you were that schools were generally labeling the school break in December a "winter holiday" instead of a "Christmas" hiatus. This too seemed to lead you to conclude that little Susie would be deprived of some religious experience when she had to bring home the school calendar on the first day of class and saw no reference to "Christmas." If you are correct that 96 percent of Americans somehow recognize Christmas, the last decade of school calendars that used the term "winter break" must not have broken up the spirit of the season.

Now, let's get back to the forest. The forest of America contains 2,000 different faiths and 20 million freethinkers, a rich biodiversity of theological and philosophical viewpoints. Unfortunately, a relatively small band of members of the Christian faith seem insistent on being officially, and always, on the top of the hill. We might call them "Christian Holiday Triumphalists." They are not about to ever let another faith even come close to getting the acknowledgment their faith receives. If it is December, this is the time to celebrate "Christmas," not anything else. They know that they are in the majority, and whoever dares to mess with them will feel their wrath.

Some of them are more good-humored about it than others. A fellow called me on "The Michael Medved Show" and asked me if I didn't realize that every time someone says "Happy Holidays" an elf dies. On the less pleasant side, an e-mailer wrote me: "I hope you die soon. Merry Christmas."

This "we-must-win" attitude is not harmless. It runs counter to one of the great traditions of America and indeed one of its constitutional foundations: Governments don't promote one religion over others or religion over non-religion. It is strictly neutral, not hostile to anyone. One of the most disturbing implications in your last post was that public events might somehow convince the half of self-described Christians who don't go to church regularly to show up for Christmas. Whatever else politicians do, one thing they must not do is encourage (or discourage) church attendance.

Just a couple of quick corrections: I did not start Americans United (it was first directed by a fine Republican law school dean back in l948), nor have I ever suggested that the ACLU "wussed" out on any legitimate religious liberty issue.

Fa la la la la,

Barry

_Related Features

December Dilemma-Watch Blog A Holiday Peace Plan Has the Holiday Been Hijacked?

Continued on page 5: »