Merry Christmas

Call it the miracle on Smith Street. In nearby Providence, Governor Chafee this year caved in and termed the state’s festively decorated spruce a “Christmas Tree.”

The governor noted that his past insistence on calling it a “holiday tree” had been “a focal point of too much anger.” Apparently this anger was the fault of intolerant religious nuts (nearly 50% of Rhode Islanders are Catholic) and had nothing to do with his own intolerance. The governor got in his symbolic licks, though, by absenting himself from the lighting ceremony. A speech to students at Princeton University was deemed a higher calling.

Just as there is room in the public square for Menorahs and synagogues, crescent moons and mosques, Sikhs and their temples, and agnostics and atheists (the last of whom take on faith that God does not exist) there is also room for Christmas trees and churches. We are big hearted and tolerant enough to embrace them all.

Those who battle the Christian religion, such as the Freedom from Religion Foundation, (whose very name gets it wrong) get it wrong. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” This powerful clause of our first amendment properly enshrines our right to freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. It fully supports atheistic belief systems as much as any other belief system. All are allowed; none are prohibited nor mandated.

We can sympathize with those who are leery of religion. We wouldn’t want radical Islam forced upon us by government decree. (Not moderate Islam as practiced by millions of peaceful Americans, but the fanatical variety that subjugates women and murders those who don’t share their convictions). Equally, a government mandate imposing the repugnant Westboro Baptist Church on us would be just as horrific. But the same first amendment that protects us from them also requires us to hold our collective noses and recognize their right to their beliefs.

It is odd how secular America so vehemently rejects Christian values. ABC Family, a subsidiary of Disney Corp., sells morning airtime to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). (This is because of the channel’s origin as evangelist Pat Robertson’s TV ministry, which morphed into the Family Channel and then was eventually acquired by ABC/Disney).  Prior to airing this objectionable Christian content, they make it emphatically clear, on screen and with accompanying narration, that “the following program does NOT reflect the views of ABC Family.”

Apparently the risqué “Secret Life of the American Teenager” featuring promiscuity, teen pregnancy, and drug use is more Disney’s idea of admirable family values.

Perhaps old fashioned Christian values such as “thou shalt not kill” and “honor your mother and father” are outdated and out of fashion. They have served this country well since the Pilgrims landed almost 400 years ago, but perchance it’s time to retire them.

Or, on the other hand, we can call our Christmas trees what they are and wish each other peace on earth, goodwill to all of us.

Merry Christmas.