Posted by
WRH Bill (aka Mr. Bill) on Friday, December 05, 2008 7:15:28 PM
I didn't, and don't, particularly intend to make this blog primarily a place to argue about religion. But apropos of the season, and of Michael Reagan's Townhall column on the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays "issue", let me say: As a non-militant and non-dogmatic sort of atheist, I am not in the slightest offended if someone wishes me a "Merry Christmas". I *am* offended, however, by militant Christans who go into a snit, and even threaten protests and boycotts, if anyone wishes them "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".I am also not thrilled with people who insist that, since I don't actually believe that Jesus of Nazareth was born on Dec. 25 and grew up to become the Savior of Humankind, I therefore have no right to celebrate Christmas in its more secular manifestations or to share in the spirit of the season. (And yes, I am also embarrassed by militant atheists who actually do get offended to be wished "Merry Christmas," though I'm not sure there are as many of them as the "war on Christmas" claimants insist.)
It is a fact, as Christians point out, that Christmas is the particular mid-winter holiday celebrated by a majority of Americans. But it is also a fact that Christians hardly invented the idea of a mid-winter holiday-- indeed, they adapted or co-opted the idea of a holiday at this season, and many of the customs connected with it, from other faiths.
If your particular "reason for the season" is that the birth of Jesus is traditionally celebrated this time of year, that's fine. I'm not convinced you're right about the event of Jesus' birth or its significance, but I'm hardly out to take your belief or the joy it gives you away from you. But if your "reason for the season" is the victory of the Maccabees and a miraculously extended oil supply.... or whatever it is that Muslims celebrate at Eid al-Fitr (sp?).... or the winter solstice and symbolic return of the sun from the shortest day of the year.... that's OK too.
And if, like me, you celebrate because of cultural tradition including but not limited to Christian traditions, and simply because you enjoy celebrating and think that "peace on earth and good will to men" is a good idea regardless of the specific reason, or excuse, for it, that's OK too. (Heck, even Ayn Rand, hard-shelled atheist and apostle of the "virtue of selfishness", liked Christmas. Of course, as a fan of capitalism and free markets, she appreciated the commercial aspects of the holiday that more religious or "spiritually" minded people disdain.)
So to al of you out there who may read this-- if anyone actually does read it-- Merry Christmas to you if that is your particular flavor of seasonal joy, or Happy Holidays if you prefer a more generic greeting. And if you wishe me either Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, I will thank you and wish you a joyous season of celebrating whatever you're celebrating (or even a joyous season if you're not celebrating anything in particular other than the chance to celebrate).