the so-called war on Christmas

A year ago I wrote an essay that I didn't post here because I'd submitted it for publication elsewhere. The fabricated "war on Christmas" has caused me to want to share it now.

As I write this, it is mid-December and numerous editorial writers, buoyed by what they think is a mandate from the November 2004 election in the US, are railing against the secularization of Christmas. Now on one level I agree with them; what is supposed to be the second-holiest day on the Christian calendar has been reduced, largely, to reindeer, tinsel-covered trees, a fat red guy, and loot. Lots of loot; it's how many retailers stay in business. If I were a Christian, I might be pretty annoyed at that too.

The problem, though, is in their targetting. I've seen quite a few folks lately writing about how catering to the non-Christians (who, after all, are a minority and ought to just do everyone a favor and get out of the country now, or so I gather) has brought this on. "The Jews won't let us celebrate our holiday!", they whine, or "those damned athiests are taking the christ out of Christmas and must be stopped!" It's always someone else's fault, it seems.

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I wish my Christian friends a merry Christmas. I realize that your lunatic fringe does not speak for you, and I'm sorry you have to put up with those guys.