Celibrate diversity
Below is the text of a Catholic League ad that appeared on today’s op-ed page in the New York Times:
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY:
The United States is 85 percent Christian, which means we are more Christian than India is Hindu and Israel is Jewish. Moreover, 96 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas. So why do we have to tippy-toe around the religious meaning of Christmas every December? There is something sick about Friendship Trees, Winter Solstice Concerts, Holiday Parades and Holly Day Festivals. The neutering of Christmas extends to the banishment of Nativity Scenes from the public square, the expulsion of baby Jesus from crèches not otherwise forbidden, the banning of red and green at school functions, the censoring of “Silent Night” at municipal concerts, etc. All of this madness is done even though 97 percent of Americans say they are not offended by Christmas celebrations. So as not to be misunderstood, it is important to recognize that the few who are complaining do not belong to any one religious or ethnic group—there is plenty of diversity to be found among the ranks of the disaffected. No matter, fairness dictates that their intolerance should not trump the rights of the rest of us. Diversity means respect for the traditions and heritages of all groups, not just those which have been cherry-picked by the multicultural gurus. To be excluded is normal. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Black History Month, Gay Pride Parades—they all exclude someone. The Olympic Games are a showcase of segregation—men are barred from women’s sports—yet not even radical feminists call it sexist. Should all of these holidays and events be banned because some feel excluded? By celebrating Christmas we are celebrating diversity. Don’t let the cultural fascists get their way this year.
William A. Donohue |
Known as 
Ugh, what's the point of calling it "Happy Holidays" if you have all this verbal wrangling? For crying out loud, I want to be spontaneous and greet everyone "Merry Christmas" and not have to go through what I did when I had my first American Christmas ever in 2004. My sister, who lives in the OC diocese, asked me to buy greeting cards at the mall for her neighbors. When I got her cards that read "Merry Christmas" because I couldn't find the cards that merely mentioned "Happy Holidays" at the price she was looking for, she told me that not all her neighbors celebrate Christmas for what it really is - it's just a secular holiday for them and they might be ticked off. Oh well. I was glad I inadvertently got those cards anyway.
The backlash has begun. Christians are taking back Christmas.
Personally, I refuse to utter the words "Happy Holidays (Holydays)" or "Season's Greetings" - and pagans can simply forget about hearing "Happy Winter Solstice" proceed from my lips!
We are setting out the creche this week. It is my favourite thing at Christmas. My first creche was a really ugly one I made at camp when I was a kid. I painted Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the shepherds, the wise men, a few critters, all in ghastly colours. That set was treasured for years until the cheap plaster crumbled into dust.
Well - that was a happy walk down memory lane!
What about Hannukah Bushes?
Many years ago, a Boy Scout troop in Los Ángeles that was sponsored by a synagogue had a Christmas Tree lot. All the street-facing signs said "Christmas Trees", but on the side facing the temple, the lettering said "Hannukah Bushes".
May all reap the blessings of Our Lord as we again celebrate his Incarnation. Amen
I wish you the best, Sister. The situation in the US certainly merits as a head-scratcher in the Philippines where, despite the commercialization, we really do celebrate Christmas for what it is. Wait till we have the nine-day Dawn Masses from 16-24 December where we all go to the Church at 4:00 or 4:30 AM. Spain has certainly given us a precious gift.
If I think some of my friends/acquaintances may be "offended" by a Christmas card, we simply don't send one to them. If someone complaints about a Merry Christmas card, next year they'll get a "hope you're miserable this season" one.
Mr. Donohue is right on target this time.
(Though he did forget to mention how harshly the Olympics discriminate against the not-particularly-coordinated which is a personal sore spot!)
"Mary Christ Mass" to all who believe in the
Incarnation and believe that Jesus is the Bread from Heaven, laid in a manger!
To those who don't believe we pray for your conversion and I feel you should go on with your daily lives without all the beautiful traditions that have been outlined by the birth of Jesus, Immanuel, the most important event that has changed history forever.
May the Peace of Christ Reign in our hearts!
I'm considering wishing everyone a Happy Advent Season starting on Sunday. Not even the first day of Advent yet and already I am hearing "Happy Holidays".
I agree with you, Esther-Advent hasn't started yet, and there has been Christmas music on the radio stations since Thanksgiving, and even before! A wise priest I once met said, "Whoever heard of someone's birthday being celebrated a month ahead of time?"
A hardhitter as always, Bill Donohue is...keep fighting, guy!
Why people tiptoe around? Because they don't believe what they say they believe and don't want to take responsibility for it. That's why.