Here is a lovely email a reader received today in her inbox. I don’t think this is who they meant for her to pass is on to :)
(Thanks Anthea)
I had this exact email sent to me about two weeks ago, except mine also asked, “If you agree, pass this on, if not, simply delete it.” Now, I’m not about to let that go, so below is my response.
The poem operates under the faulty premise that December 25th is primarily derived from a Christian holiday. While that might be the current majority of celebratory reasoning, historians will largely disagree with the claim that most of the practices are of Christian origin. Check pretty much anywhere on Google for this. I found this site, which is pretty succinct: http://www.essortment.com/all/christmaspagan_rece.htm.
You and I won’t disagree at being appalled with the rampant consumerism - it probably annoys me more so than the average theist, and for similar, though less religious reasons. The commercial bastardization of a holiday that we revere is unacceptable regardless of the reasons we hold respect for it.
There’s a really good book I’m reading at the moment which you might enjoy if you can get a copy (I could only find it on the Kindle) called The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas. Mostly written in humor, it’s got a bunch of really interesting perspectives on the holiday from nonbelievers, but the general consensus is that the holiday has special meaning regardless of your belief or non-belief (it’s not an argument against theism, it’s forty-two nonbelievers answering the question, “What does Christmas mean to you?”). For me personally, it represents family, friends, and celebrating the relationships we have. The inclusion of gifts is a manifestation of that closeness and support we have for one another.
The poem makes two points at the same time that I have to say something about, however. First is a statement against the separation of church and state, the second is against the trend towards diversity from private institutions.
The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. “ In this regard, the public support of religion in general, and specifically the Christian god, is explicitly unconstitutional, and even theists will disagree with items on our currency and in the Pledge of Allegiance on this point, especially if they are of another religion entirely.
To the second point, it’s completely within every private institution’s rights to support any religion it sees fit, and it proves rather profitable for companies to appear supportive of as many demographics as they can. In this regard, it’s unsurprising that companies such as Gap outwardly express the celebration of even Kwanzaa, a holiday with suspiciously recent origins. If a Christian company wanted to shout, “Merry Christmas!” in its marketing rather than a more secular message, that’s their right, and no one should begrudge them of that. Conversely, I don’t believe anyone should be appalled at secular-toned holiday messaging for exactly the same reasons.
Personally, I’ll almost always tell someone, “Merry Christmas!”, but that’s not because it has religious meaning to me. It’s the name of the holiday as I know it, plain and simple.
Oh, and I’m sure you’re aware by now, but if you’re going to forward this kind of thing to me, you ought to expect a response ;). Please don’t take it as an attack, because this is all said out of love and respect for you, and my intent is merely to provide a perspective as someone with vastly different views on the topic.
