As Christmas Day approaches, I think it is time to take a look into the “War on Christmas.”
First, let’s look at what conservatives are saying. Bill O’Reilly, host of The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News, has this to say about the “War on Christmas.” O’Reilly claims that taking the word “Christmas” (he doesn’t care about the “merry”) out of the holiday season is “all part of the secular progressive agenda … to get Christianity and spirituality and Judaism out of the public square.” He goes on to say: “Once you start taking out even the secular symbols of religious holidays — Christmas trees, Santas, so forth — refuse to use the word “Christmas,” you can shove this religious stuff indoors, out of sight.”
We’ll talk about the ridiculousness of his statement a bit later.
On another front, WoldNetDaily, which touts itself as an “independent news company dedicated to uncompromising journalism seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty”, but is essentially a conservative news source, is selling Christmas-Defense Kits because “the American Civil Liberties Union grinches will be out in full force punishing those erecting Nativity displays, extending Christmas greetings and otherwise exercising their God-given, First Amendment-protected rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”
Let’s look at these two interesting news items for a second before we look at the ACLU’s position on Christmas. First of all, O’Reilly claims that millions of shoppers will not go to stores that refuse to use the word “Christmas” in their advertising. He also claims that Christians will be offended by being given the greeting “Happy Holidays” by store team members. First of all, if Christians refused to shop at places that did not use the word “Christmas” in their advertising, hundreds of retailers would have been hurting long before now (and obviously, not as a result of the economy). Secondly, the greeting “Happy Holidays” encompasses all holidays, including Christmas, during this month-long period between Thanksgiving and New Years. So why then should I be offended by this greeting? The cashier doesn’t know if I’m a Christian or a Jew or an atheist. But this isn’t the most sigh-inducing comment by O’Reilly. He actually uses Santas and Christmas trees as symbols of the Christian holiday that need to be kept in order for the sanctity of Christmas to continue.
Though many Christians refuse to ignore the historical truth, the fact is that many of our “Christian” traditions actually originated from Pagan rituals and symbols. The Christmas tree is one of them. Take a look at the origins of the Christmas tree:
The following demonstrates what the Babylonians believe about the origin of the Christmas tree: “An old Babylonish fable told of an evergreen tree which sprang out of a dead tree stump. The old stump symbolized the dead Nimrod, the new evergreen tree symbolized that Nimrod had come to life again in Tammuz! Among the Druids the oak was sacred, among the Egyptians it was the palm, and in Rome it was the fir, which was decorated with red berries during the Saturnalia!” (Walsh, Curiosities of Popular Customs, p. 242).
Frederick J. Haskin’s Answers to Questions states, “The Christmas tree is from Egypt, and its origin dates from a period long anterior to the Christmas Era.” Did you know this—that the Christmas tree long preceded Christianity?
Most aspects of Christmas are not referred to in the Bible. Of course, the reason is that they are not from God—they are not part of the way He wants people to worship Him. The Christmas tree, however, is directly mentioned in the Bible! Turn to Jeremiah 10:2-5, “Thus says the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen…For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.”
This plain description of the modern Christmas tree is clear. God directly refers to it as “the way of the heathen.” Just as directly, He commands His people to “learn not the way of the heathen,” calling these customs “vain.”
Clearly, O’Reilly is confused about his Christmas traditions. The Christmas tree, as well as the yule log, holly wreaths, mistletoe, and exchanging gifts all pre-date Christianity. Why one would be concerned about these “traditional” Christmas symbols being lost to the “pagan” or “heathen” secular society is beyond me.
WordNetDaily claims that the ACLU is attacking Christmas. And many Christians believe this is so. However, this is what the ACLU actually has to say about Christmas:
For some, however, misrepresenting the ACLU when it comes to religion has become a holiday tradition akin to making eggnog and decking the halls with holly. Invariably during the run-up to Christmas, the ACLU is annually and wrongfully disparaged for waging a mythical “War on Christmas.” In fact, the ACLU zealously defends the right of both non-believers to practice no religion at all and religious believers, including Christians, to practice their religion freely. And the ACLU’s zeal certainly does not take a vacation during the holidays.
Christmas displays, for example – things like nativity displays – are perfectly acceptable at homes and churches. Religious expression – during the holidays and throughout the year – is a valued part of the First Amendment rights guaranteed all citizens. But government should never be in the business of endorsing things like religious displays. Religion is best served when the government plays no role in promoting any particular holiday or any individual religious tradition. That job is best suited for individuals, families and religious communities. For when that decision is left in their hands, and kept out of the hands of the government, those who decide to are truly free to celebrate the religious holiday of their choice.
Clearly there is some confusion on this issue. And it looks like the religious right are the ones getting it wrong.
Why waste time publishing these pagan lies? The historical record was “revised” to diminish the divinity of Christ and his birthday. The Earth-pagans who did this intended to use people like you as willing dupes in spreading their lies. Please remove this post.
Perhaps you misunderstood what I had to say. I was only remarking that I find it ironic that O’Reilly cites things like christmas trees and santa as symbols of Christ’s birthday.
You are right, I’m sorry. Disregard my earlier post.