CNN columnist Roland Martin writes this:
"What if families decided to forego gifts, and instead, used their shopping days giving back to those in need? What if more of us went into our closets, grabbed old toys and clothes, repackaged them, and provided them as gifts to those without? Instead of gorging on food, what if we used some of the dough to feed those who are in need? What if we blew off those gift cards to electronic retailers and signed up with Networkforgood.org, and gave someone a gift card to their favorite charity?"
Maybe he's on to something.
Maybe we need to start a real Christmas and let the secularists have their "holiday."
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Retailer's hit list
Focus on the Family has listed the retailers who are most "anti-Christmas" for this year. These retailers do not allow their employees to use the word Christmas, nor is the word in their stores, advertising or displays:
The list includes:
The list includes:
- Banana Republic
- Barnes & Noble
- Circuit City
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Disney Store
- Ebay
- Eddie Bauer
- Lane Bryant
Don't shop at these stores and let the shift supervisor know why you have elected to spend money elsewhere.
And don't forget to celebrate Merry Tossmas for their catalogues!
My best Christmas memory
Our friends at HighCallingBlogs.com sponsored a Christmas blogging challenge -- and we joined in the fray.
They asked for "Your best Christmas memory" and our post is here.
They asked for "Your best Christmas memory" and our post is here.
Here are links to the other participants:
Sally's Words
Sally's Words
Thursday, December 13, 2007
A Jew responds to Christmas
he following was written by Ben Stein
"I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Christmas banned in England -- in 1647
In 1647, Christmas was outlawed by the English Parliament. Churches were stripped of ornamentation, and organs carted away; religious singing was restricted to the Psalms--an attitude the Pilgrim Fathers had already brought to the New World.Although the ban was soon forgotten, it took nearly two centuries for Christmas to recover its sparkle.
Christmas in the workplace
According to a story in the Jeffersonville, IN Star, About 85 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians and 96 percent of them celebrate Christmas.
The writer asks if we "Are they simply exercising their constitutional rights to free expression or do the celebrations and symbols in the workplace trample on the rights of others by excluding them?
What do you think?
The writer asks if we "Are they simply exercising their constitutional rights to free expression or do the celebrations and symbols in the workplace trample on the rights of others by excluding them?
What do you think?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Atheists find comfort and joy in what?
Jeff Jacoby, the immensely talented Boston Globe opinion writer explores the possiblity of a nation without Christians. He writes, that when the Judeo-Christian values are jettisoned, our nation will also lose the "the system most likely to promote ethical behavior and sustain a decent society."
The result is anarchy.
Is that what you really want?
Jacoby continues, "The atheist alternative is a world in which right and wrong are ultimately matters of opinion, and in which we are finally accountable to no one but ourselves. That is anything but a tiding of comfort and joy."
read the column here
The result is anarchy.
Is that what you really want?
Jacoby continues, "The atheist alternative is a world in which right and wrong are ultimately matters of opinion, and in which we are finally accountable to no one but ourselves. That is anything but a tiding of comfort and joy."
read the column here
The 12 Rules of Christmas®
(With thanks to the Rutherford Institute, whose attorneys compiled this list)
The Rutherford Institute has compliled these lists, in case anyone wants to take Christmas away from individuals of this nation.
1. Public school students’ written or spoken personal expressions concerning the religious significance of Christmas (e.g., T-shirts with the slogan, “Jesus Is the Reason for the Season”) may not be censored by school officials absent evidence that the speech would cause a substantial disruption.1
2. So long as teachers are generally permitted to wear clothing or jewelry or have personal items expressing their views about the holidays, Christian teachers may not be prohibited from similarly expressing their views by wearing Christmas-related clothing or jewelry or carrying Christmas-related personal items.2
3. Public schools may teach students about the Christmas holiday, including its religious significance, so long as it is taught objectively for secular purposes such as its historical or cultural importance, and not for the purpose of promoting Christianity.3
4. Public school teachers may send Christmas cards to the families of their students so long as they do so on their own time, outside of school hours.4
5. Public schools may include Christmas music, including those with religious themes, in their choral programs if the songs are included for a secular purpose such as their musical quality or cultural value or if the songs are part of an overall performance including other holiday songs relating to Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or other similar holidays.5
6. Public schools may not require students to sing Christmas songs whose messages conflict with the students’ own religious or nonreligious beliefs.6
7. Public school students may not be prohibited from distributing literature to fellow students concerning the Christmas holiday or invitations to church Christmas events on the same terms that they would be allowed to distribute other literature that is not related to schoolwork.7
8. Private citizens or groups may display crèches or other Christmas symbols in public parks subject to the same reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions that would apply to other similar displays.8
9. Government entities may erect and maintain celebrations of the Christmas holiday, such as Christmas trees and Christmas light displays, and may include crèches in their displays at least so long as the purpose for including the crèche is not to promote its religious content and it is placed in context with other symbols of the Holiday season as part of an effort to celebrate the public Christmas holiday through its traditional symbols.9
10. Neither public nor private employers may prevent employees from decorating their offices
for Christmas, playing Christmas music, or wearing clothing related to Christmas merely because of their religious content so long as these activities are not used to harass or intimidate others.10
11. Public or private employees whose sincerely held religious beliefs require that they not work on Christmas must be reasonably accommodated by their employers unless granting the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the employer.11
12. Government recognition of Christmas as a public holiday and granting government employees a paid holiday for Christmas does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.12.12
The Rutherford Institute has compliled these lists, in case anyone wants to take Christmas away from individuals of this nation.
1. Public school students’ written or spoken personal expressions concerning the religious significance of Christmas (e.g., T-shirts with the slogan, “Jesus Is the Reason for the Season”) may not be censored by school officials absent evidence that the speech would cause a substantial disruption.1
2. So long as teachers are generally permitted to wear clothing or jewelry or have personal items expressing their views about the holidays, Christian teachers may not be prohibited from similarly expressing their views by wearing Christmas-related clothing or jewelry or carrying Christmas-related personal items.2
3. Public schools may teach students about the Christmas holiday, including its religious significance, so long as it is taught objectively for secular purposes such as its historical or cultural importance, and not for the purpose of promoting Christianity.3
4. Public school teachers may send Christmas cards to the families of their students so long as they do so on their own time, outside of school hours.4
5. Public schools may include Christmas music, including those with religious themes, in their choral programs if the songs are included for a secular purpose such as their musical quality or cultural value or if the songs are part of an overall performance including other holiday songs relating to Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or other similar holidays.5
6. Public schools may not require students to sing Christmas songs whose messages conflict with the students’ own religious or nonreligious beliefs.6
7. Public school students may not be prohibited from distributing literature to fellow students concerning the Christmas holiday or invitations to church Christmas events on the same terms that they would be allowed to distribute other literature that is not related to schoolwork.7
8. Private citizens or groups may display crèches or other Christmas symbols in public parks subject to the same reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions that would apply to other similar displays.8
9. Government entities may erect and maintain celebrations of the Christmas holiday, such as Christmas trees and Christmas light displays, and may include crèches in their displays at least so long as the purpose for including the crèche is not to promote its religious content and it is placed in context with other symbols of the Holiday season as part of an effort to celebrate the public Christmas holiday through its traditional symbols.9
10. Neither public nor private employers may prevent employees from decorating their offices
for Christmas, playing Christmas music, or wearing clothing related to Christmas merely because of their religious content so long as these activities are not used to harass or intimidate others.10
11. Public or private employees whose sincerely held religious beliefs require that they not work on Christmas must be reasonably accommodated by their employers unless granting the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the employer.11
12. Government recognition of Christmas as a public holiday and granting government employees a paid holiday for Christmas does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.12.12
Friday, November 30, 2007
A Christian lawyer weighs in
Todd Juris' excellent blog has a great balance of law and faith as he goes through law school.
He said this:
"I find it more offensive that stores are commercializing such an important Christian holiday... I mean, how does spending so much money to get consumers to spend theirs get across the Gospel? That and forbidding employees from saying "Merry Christmas" is what bothers me."
and he weighs in on the tree issue
"WHO CARES if it's called a "Christmas tree" or a "holiday tree"? Once again, we miss the real debate. Let's say a public school has a "Winter Festival." A young man wears a shirt that says, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Said young man is expelled. That's where the issue, in my opinion lies. Or try another, probably more true, hypothetical. Say the state Capitol has a Menorah, but says "Bah Humbug!" to a Christmas tree or Nativity scene. That's showing a preference towards religion. Is the title of a tree really going to ruin our holidays and bemoan the downfall of Christmas? If a Christmas tree has special meaning to you, let it mean that in your home; let it mean that when you pass the "holiday" tree; let it mean that when you pass an evergreen forest. Just don't lose your witness over the name of a tree!
Good point brother.
In this greatest nation, we should be free to worship any way we choose. Far too many worship a holiday that is just a spending spree.
On the other hand, our beliefs that "behold, a King has come" should not be mocked or minimized.
Let the pagans have their holiday -- and I'll have mine!
He said this:
"I find it more offensive that stores are commercializing such an important Christian holiday... I mean, how does spending so much money to get consumers to spend theirs get across the Gospel? That and forbidding employees from saying "Merry Christmas" is what bothers me."
and he weighs in on the tree issue
"WHO CARES if it's called a "Christmas tree" or a "holiday tree"? Once again, we miss the real debate. Let's say a public school has a "Winter Festival." A young man wears a shirt that says, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Said young man is expelled. That's where the issue, in my opinion lies. Or try another, probably more true, hypothetical. Say the state Capitol has a Menorah, but says "Bah Humbug!" to a Christmas tree or Nativity scene. That's showing a preference towards religion. Is the title of a tree really going to ruin our holidays and bemoan the downfall of Christmas? If a Christmas tree has special meaning to you, let it mean that in your home; let it mean that when you pass the "holiday" tree; let it mean that when you pass an evergreen forest. Just don't lose your witness over the name of a tree!
Good point brother.
In this greatest nation, we should be free to worship any way we choose. Far too many worship a holiday that is just a spending spree.
On the other hand, our beliefs that "behold, a King has come" should not be mocked or minimized.
Let the pagans have their holiday -- and I'll have mine!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Now the trees are offensive
Missouri State University decided to remove a Christmas tree from their atrium at Strong Hall.
Now, thanks to widespread protests, it's back up.
The school president, Michael T. Nietzel, said this. "We decided this is the right thing to do. Missouri State is an institution at which many different religions are represented, and we try to be sensitive to the many views people hold."
It sounds like he got right.
A faculty member was the original complaintant, saying that tree showed "a lack of sensitivity" to those of other religions.
I didnt know trees could show any emotions, let alone sensitivity!
In case you are wondering, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a Christmas trees are secular symbols, as are menorahs.
I would never argue that a Christmas tree is part of my faith -- and thus it is silly for those of the anti-Christmas to be offended by this supposed display of religion. It's not. It's cultural. So leave them up.
Now, thanks to widespread protests, it's back up.
The school president, Michael T. Nietzel, said this. "We decided this is the right thing to do. Missouri State is an institution at which many different religions are represented, and we try to be sensitive to the many views people hold."
It sounds like he got right.A faculty member was the original complaintant, saying that tree showed "a lack of sensitivity" to those of other religions.
I didnt know trees could show any emotions, let alone sensitivity!
In case you are wondering, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a Christmas trees are secular symbols, as are menorahs.
I would never argue that a Christmas tree is part of my faith -- and thus it is silly for those of the anti-Christmas to be offended by this supposed display of religion. It's not. It's cultural. So leave them up.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
It's okay to wish me a Merry Christmas
A note from a new friend:
"Thank you for your efforts on your Christmas blog - keep up the good work! My wife and I would like to send you our "It's okay to wish me a Merry Christmas" button to wear. We started doing WishMeChristmas in 2005 as a means to stopping some from taking away Christmas. Our website, www.wishmechristmas.com, encourages folks to wish someone a Merry Christmas and keep Christ in Christmas.
Thank you and God bless.
Regards,Dean Dzurilla
Friday, November 23, 2007
Even Santa reminds city of Christmas
The Redding, CA, Record Searchlight reports that the local Tehama county has banned all reminders of Christmas from their offices. And not just the overtly 'religious' symbols.
Apparently, even Santa has to take a hike too.
County Social Services Director Christine Applegate says "Santa's origins are Christian," so he's inappropriate for a government office.
What are they going to do with Valentine's Day,after all it is named after the dreaded "Saint Valentine." And don't even get them started on the Easter Bunny.
I bet they still have the day off.
Apparently, even Santa has to take a hike too.
County Social Services Director Christine Applegate says "Santa's origins are Christian," so he's inappropriate for a government office.
What are they going to do with Valentine's Day,after all it is named after the dreaded "Saint Valentine." And don't even get them started on the Easter Bunny.
I bet they still have the day off.
"We're bringing Christmas back to Long Island"
MSNBC reports that the Village of Patchogue has its own man who is keeping Christmas in vogue -- Phil Butler.
Tired of hearing "Christmas" replaced by the politically correct "holidays" since moving to the village two years ago, Butler urged local officals to rename its end-of-year boat parade to a "Christmas" parade.
Next, Butler got the local garden club to rename its "holiday house tour" to "the Christmas house tour."
Go Phil!!
The village wouldnt allow him to put up a Nativity scene on the public grounds -- so he leased and empty lot downtown and put up his own.
And if anyone would be offended by celebration of the birth of Jesus, whom His followers call "the Christ," it would be the Jews.
But the local Rabbi, Joel Levinson, of Temple Beth El in the village, said he hadn't heard of Butler's plans, but said he "respected any religious celebration."
Tired of hearing "Christmas" replaced by the politically correct "holidays" since moving to the village two years ago, Butler urged local officals to rename its end-of-year boat parade to a "Christmas" parade.
Next, Butler got the local garden club to rename its "holiday house tour" to "the Christmas house tour."
Go Phil!!
The village wouldnt allow him to put up a Nativity scene on the public grounds -- so he leased and empty lot downtown and put up his own.
And if anyone would be offended by celebration of the birth of Jesus, whom His followers call "the Christ," it would be the Jews.
But the local Rabbi, Joel Levinson, of Temple Beth El in the village, said he hadn't heard of Butler's plans, but said he "respected any religious celebration."
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Where's the offense?
Michael Stelzner's blog reports on a couple of polls from last year. Zogby American Consumer report found that 95 percent of folks are NOT offended when they hear the words “Merry Christmas.”
That same report said that 1 in 3 are actually very offended when the words “Happy Holidays” push out the phrase “Merry Christmas.”
This should not come as a big surprise because another poll by Fox News/Opinion Dynamics showed that 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.
So where's the offense?
That same report said that 1 in 3 are actually very offended when the words “Happy Holidays” push out the phrase “Merry Christmas.”
This should not come as a big surprise because another poll by Fox News/Opinion Dynamics showed that 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.
So where's the offense?
Twas the night before a winter holiday
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
How the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings,
the teachers would say December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas;
it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton,
Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word,
as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!
When all through our land
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
How the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings,
the teachers would say December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas;
it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton,
Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word,
as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Happy Holidays -- what a crock!
This year, we are beginning to see the worn-out phrase, "Happy Holidays."
What in the world does this mean? It's too much to say "Christmas," because somebody, somewhere might be offended.
And yet we scurry around to parties, buying gifts, hanging lights and whistling tunes to some conglomerate of holidays? No -- It's Christmas. Say so say it already!
What in the world does this mean? It's too much to say "Christmas," because somebody, somewhere might be offended.
And yet we scurry around to parties, buying gifts, hanging lights and whistling tunes to some conglomerate of holidays? No -- It's Christmas. Say so say it already!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Colored lights just too festive for Colorado town
The city of Ft. Collins, CO started the holiday season off with a bang.
A special task force in this Colorado city recommended banning red and green lights at the Christmas holiday because they felt the lights would remind people of the actual Christmas holiday -- and that is something government "shouldn't do."
In case this might be misconstrued, Seth Anthony, a spokesman for the committee, made it crystal clear.
"Even though the Supreme Court has declared that in many contexts they are secular symbols, often still send a message to some members of the community that they and their traditions are not valued and not wanted,"
"We don't want to send that message," said Anthony.
So Seth, just exactly what kind of message ARE you sending?
A special task force in this Colorado city recommended banning red and green lights at the Christmas holiday because they felt the lights would remind people of the actual Christmas holiday -- and that is something government "shouldn't do."
In case this might be misconstrued, Seth Anthony, a spokesman for the committee, made it crystal clear.
"Even though the Supreme Court has declared that in many contexts they are secular symbols, often still send a message to some members of the community that they and their traditions are not valued and not wanted,"
"We don't want to send that message," said Anthony.
So Seth, just exactly what kind of message ARE you sending?
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