B3 Award for December 3 - 9, 2005
Published 12.09.2005 by ~mattg
As I was browsing the news today I realize that there is somewhat of a holy war going on around us. The whole “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” debate seems to be a bit stronger this year than most. Perhaps the neocons are looking for something to fight about, or perhaps it’s a relatively slow news week, but this “debate” has received more than its fair share of press coverage over the last few days. Time paints it as a picture of “brother vs. brother” as evangelical denominations face of as some churches cancel services on Christmas. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been one standout quote on this topic to point to the absolute futility of this discussion.
So this week’s award slot will be devoted to stirring up some debate, even if it’s only with T.
Personally, considering that “Christmas” runs from Halloween to New Year’s and encompasses a number of other religious holidays (including some which are not “little ‘c’” catholic), Happy Holidays is a great phrase to use during this time of year and, in my humble opinion, does not at all degrade my ideas of the meaning of Christmas. I’ve always enjoyed this time of year, not because of the presents or church, but because it has always been a time for family gatherings, reminiscing, and enjoying what I have been fortunate enough to have: a very loving family whose members would do anything for each other.
Call me crazy, but this season is a time to be celebrate one’s friends and family, not start a holy war over a phrase. So to the religious right who thinks the liberals are stealing Christmas, don’t worry: big business already has the money in the truck so the liberals can’t get it.
Filed under News
You make it difficult to stir up debate when you speak sensibly about things! I suppose I’m the one left to say something so provocative that I may not even believe I’m actually saying it!
But I won’t.
Instead I’ll further fuel the fire. First up, this so-called debate is definitely a lot stronger this year than years past. I’m not entirely sure why, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it has to do with a combination of neocons/fundamentalists’ feeling vindicated with Bush’s 2004 victory with their now having to be on the defensive given the massive screw-ups of the past year. When you feel that you have political collateral but people are still questioning you (something which is very democratic, but apparently entirely un-American), you get upset when you’re not a rational creature. So you start yelling and shouting and become caught up in your own lies. Then you’re paranoid and everyone’s out to get you. Or you’re just a truly evil monster. My guess is that the ground troops are of the former, the ringleaders the latter.
Anyway, making the stink that people like Bill O’Reilly are making over Christmas is simply disgusting. They’re politicizing Christmas for their own warped ends. Think I’m crazy? Look here Daily Kos: O’Reilly: Soros is “Moneyman” Behind War on Christmas.
It could just be that I’m offended because I’m a secular, half-Jewish, Hungarian student of philosophy, just like George Soros (who studied with Karl Popper; Soros only turned to business because he realized he needed money to do philosophy and doing philosophy wouldn’t make him money, so corporate-take overs he went!).
But then I see stuff like this. And I really start to wonder what’s going on… but then again, I’m also a lunatic atheist…
Make of this what you will.
The best part is their argument:
Yea, because to me, nothing adds to the essence of the birth of Christ like hundreds of people trampling each other for the last Tickle Me Elmo or a $20 DVD player.
Perhpas if these “family” groups spent more time with their family and less time at the mall, the wouldn’t worry so much about the essence of the holiday.