An “old friend” from real life reappeared as a “new friend” on Facebook just in time to read my last blog. His response via e-mail shed light on an issue that is closely related to my remarks. I’d like to acknowledge his views and attempt to bring the two issues into harmony.
My friend has been subjected to anti-Christian bias on several occasions. As a teenager, his efforts to start a Christian club on campus were met with opposition by ignorant people. A few years ago, he was criticized for wishing others a “Merry Christmas” at work. In light of the fact that people of faith are being deprived of their civil rights across America with increasing frequency, my friend felt that my blog made light of a serious issue. He was particularly offended by my reference to the “Crusades.”
There have been an increasing number of attacks on Christian liberty, freedom of speech, and religious expression in recent years. Children and young people have been denied the right to express their faith in school. Crosses, nativity scenes, and other religious symbols have been stripped from public properties. And yes, people have been prohibited from saying, “Merry Christmas” on the job.
As I prepared my blog, I was not thinking of this on-going attack on Christian liberties . . . I was focusing on the more recent attack by Christians on business and people who choose to avoid the word Christmas. I think it is absurd to be Christ-o-phobic, but I believe we might do well to grant others the right to express their non-Christian, secular views.
It’s like two sides of a coin. Freedom of speech and religious (or non-religions) expression is the issue. On one side of the coin, Christians have a right to express their faith publicly. On the other side, non-Christians have a right to express their unbelief publicly.
As I understand history, good “Christian” men from Western Europe moved across Europe to the Middle East to liberate the Holy Land, killing hundreds of thousands of people in the course of their “crusades.” I chose to equate recent attacks on Target, Costco, Old Navy, and other companies to the crusades. Why do we demand that commercial interests say “Merry Christmas” when their only interest is profit? What have we really gained when they capitulate to pressure and begin using the word “Christmas” again? Are they closer to Christ? Is Jesus Christ really honored?
It is an entirely different matter to defend one’s homeland from invasion by hostile forces, which is what we do when we defend religious expression. I believe you and I ought to have the right to say “Merry Christmas” in schools and at work!
Costco, it’s OK to say “happy holidays!” My friend, you have a right to say “Merry Christmas!”
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