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Gifts for all occasions in the Galleria! The "What is the Deal?" Deal-of-the-Week: Holiday Gifts Under $50 December 12, 2004 What is the Deal with People Offended by Christmas? By Jan A. Larson Well, it is that time of year again - the time when the minds of many Americans turn to thoughts of gift giving and expressions of goodwill toward men. It is also the time when some individuals blow a gasket about the very idea that an entire nation would celebrate a holiday that is based on a religion other than theirs. On the surface, it is astonishing that anyone would be truly offended by anything that is so utterly inoffensive. First of all, there is absolutely nothing that is offensive about the common practices that surround Christmas - giving gifts, spending time with family and friends, food, parties and the expressions of goodwill that go along with the season. If you set aside the religious origins of Christmas, I can't imagine anyone that wouldn't like it, never mind being offended by it. Second, if you do consider the religious nature of Christmas, I just can't see how it could be that devastating to non-Christians to witness, if not actually participate in, this celebration. Surely one can see the joy that the Christmas season brings to so many, especially children. That offends you? Personally, I take no offense toward anyone celebrating Hanukkah or Ramadan or even toward those that choose to celebrate nothing. The beauty of America is that each is free to celebrate or not celebrate their religion and religious holidays as they wish. Third, and most importantly, it seems that most of those "offended" by the practices of the Christmas holidays are those that are either scared out of their wits that somehow they are going to be forced by the government to celebrate against their wishes or be indoctrinated like drones into a belief system with which they disagree or they are actively seeking to remove all vestiges of religion from American society. That group, of course, is not offended so much as they use offense as an excuse to drive their agenda. This first group is simply ignorant. The First Amendment specifically states that the government "... shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion ..." There has never been any attempt by the federal government to establish religion in this country. It is a long stretch indeed to classify the discussion of the Christmas holiday in particular or Christianity in general in a historical context in the public schools to an establishment of religion. Similarly with public displays of Christmas symbols or someone saying "Merry Christmas" as you enter a department store. There is simply nothing being established. What is often overlooked when discussing the "separation of church and state" is the part of the First Amendment that states, " ... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The second group mentioned above, those that wish to eradicate religion altogether from American society, have successfully intimidated public officials, school administrators and even private employers using the "offense" defense into the squelching the celebration of Christmas. Threats of letters, phone calls and lawsuits have put many on the defensive - afraid that school children singing a Christmas carol or an employee putting a wreath in her cubicle constitutes an unlawful establishment of religion. John W. Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute has published "The Twelve Rules of Christmas" which clarify the common Christmas practices that pass constitutional muster. Clearly those in the public school system, government officials, many private employers and just about everyone else would be well served to study these rules. Americans are free to exercise their religion and that includes the celebration of Christmas. To those that are offended by Christmas, there are some options: 1. Lighten up and enjoy the season with your fellow Americans, having confidence that it won't rub off on you if you don't want it to. 2. Stay home and hide under the bed until it is all over. 3. Move to a country where no one is free to celebrate Christmas. I'm sure you won't be offended there. -- Send feedback to the author. The "What is the Deal?" column will appears weekly on the Pie of Knowledge website. Guest submissions are welcome and encouraged. To submit an article to "What is the Deal?" click here. To subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list and receive early notification when a new column is available, click here. The Pie of Knowledge will never, ever divulge email addresses to any third party for any reason unless so ordered by a court of law. Contributions to the Pie of Knowledge are greatly appreciated. 
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