Non Combatant in the 'War on Christmas'
I have to admit, I was quite confused on this "War on Christmas." I saw the news stories on the grandstanding politicians complaining about inclusiveness and diversity, demanding trees be named "Christmas" and parties be named "Christmas." I saw various silly lawsuits. I saw the latest rehash of the "our kids can't sing Silent Night in school" hogwash, and I couldn't figure out what the issue was. Then I saw an interview on CNN yesterday with a Jewish radio host who stated that it was all set up in order to raise more funds for radical Christian groups trying to stir up trouble. That makes complete sense.
I have been Pagan since 1967, although I didn't really know what it was until 10 years later or so. I'm "out of the broom closet." I sometimes wear religious jewelry in public. However, if someone says "Merry Christmas" to me, I am not "offended" as some of these groups are claiming. Why should I be upset that someone has wished me a happy day on December 25th? I hope they have a happy day too. It doesn't hurt me, degrade my faith or offend me that someone has said something that they feel is a wish for my well being. I usually respond with "and a happy holiday to you too" or "same to you" or sometimes just "thank you."
When a person says "God bless you" they are bestowing a high honor upon you as they understand it. No one has ever said "God bless you" to me in anger, or for "bad" reasons (well, except for one case at a wedding when a guest came up to the bride after the Pagan ceremony, stared at me for a second, then spit out "God bless your marriage" turned on her heel and stomped off. My response was "the more blessings the better."). I tend to take the compliment as intended by the person, and thank them, meaning it because they truly meant it in a good way.
I have an interesting laugh about those who demand that decorated trees be called "Christmas Trees" when they are actually Yule Trees that have been usurped by Christianity for their celebrations. But that's another story...
That being said, I will stand up and scream if a public school is using my tax dollars to teach children to sing songs to any particular Deity or perceived Deity. This includes "Silent Night" or any other such song. These songs are inappropriate in the public school setting. The old argument that "we have a menorah therefore we are inclusive" just doesn't cut it in a country with Muslims, Hindus, Pagans, etc. Same argument has gone on for years regarding organized prayer in schools, and thus far the courts have all said no. So basically this is yet another non issue being made a big deal of. It's just another means of "stirring up outrage" that sometimes leads to more donations to various radical groups.
Recasting separation of church and state into a so-called "War" ignores the fact that most people, even most non-Christians, simply don't CARE if someone says "Merry Christmas" to them, or even "God Bless You." As for demanding to exert possession over parties and trees, that seems to me much less a "War on Christmas" and more like a "War on Non-Christians."