GayPatriot

The Internet home for American gay conservatives.

Merry Christmas from a Jewish GayPatriot

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By some means, unbeknownst to Bruce or myself, someone hijacked our original web-site on blogspot and deleted most of our posts. Fortunately, I archived nearly all of my posts (in text format), thus having text versions of the hundred or so posts I wrote when we were over there. When I read Bruce’s Christmas post, I recalled that I had written a post wishing our readers a Merry Christmas back in 2004, so revise it in order to wish our readers the Merriest of Christmases, even as I, the one offering the wishes, do not celebrate the holiday because of my Jewish faith.

Please note that I did not save the links in the original post, so have had to recover them as best I could. Without further ado, my post of December 21, 2004 revised.

Back in 2004, when my governor Arnold Schwarzenegger lit what most of us (including Jews) know as a Christmas tree. Some reporters sensed a controversy because his Democratic predecessor had called the decorated evergreen a “holiday tree.”

You see, that politically correct Democrat, like too many in our society, strove to eliminate all references to religion in public ceremonies and holiday displays. They seem to think that the Constitution has created some sort of wall of separation between church and state. Unfortunately, that expression (“wall of separation“) comes not from the U.S. Constitution, but from a letter of Thomas Jefferson. The actual text of the First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (quoting only the first part of the amendment referencing religion).

And frankly, this Jewish writer just doesn’t see how calling a decorated evergreen tree a “Christmas Tree” represents the establishment of religion. And yet, so many over at the ACLU get their panties all in a bundle every time someone tries to put a religious symbol on public property.

Now this wave of political correctness has spread beyond the public square. Some corporations train their employees to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

Indeed, a few of my friends worry that they might be offending me if they wish me a “Merry Christmas.” Those very individuals, some of them devout Christians, are touched when I wish them “Happy New Year” at Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Back in 2004, I lit the Chanuka candles for my mostly non-Jewish class of mythology students. They appreciated that I had shared this religious ritual with them.

I appreciate their sensitivity, but why should I be offended by a Christian’s sharing his or her joy in celebrating their religious holiday when they appreciate me sharing my joy in mine?

I understand that if someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas,” they speak from their heart, wanting to share the spirit of this festival (sacred to them) with me. So, I welcome their good Christmas wishes, even when expressed to me, a Jew.

I welcome religious expression because it often (yet, alas, not always) tends to humanize us. In the Jewish World Review, Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg wrote:

let’s put the “Ch” back into Chanukah! And, yes, let Christians put Christ back into Christmas. Let us not attempt to secularize our religions, or to blur our religious differences. Let us learn to respect each other’s religion. Then there will truly be “peace on earth and goodwill toward all men” … and women as well!

He’s right. Let’s learn to respect each other’s religions. We can’t do that by secularizing religious holidays. Nor by eliminating all references to sacred traditions in the public square. Let us share the joys of our tradition and use them to build bridges of understanding.

Indeed, the great Peggy Noonan thinks this might even help the Democrats, writing:

Stop the war on religious expression in America. Have Terry McAuliffe come forward and announce that the Democratic Party knows that a small group of radicals continue to try to “scrub” such holidays as Christmas from the public square. They do this while citing the Constitution, but the Constitution does not say it is wrong or impolite to say “Merry Christmas” or illegal to have a crèche in the public square. The Constitution says we have freedom of religion, not from religion. Have Terry McAuliffe announce that from here on in the Democratic Party is on the side of those who want religion in the public square, and the Ten Commandments on the courthouse wall for that matter. Then he should put up a big sign that says “Merry Christmas” on the sidewalk in front of the Democratic National Committee Headquarters on South Capitol Street. The Democratic Party should put itself on the side of Christmas, and Hanukkah, and the fact of transcendent faith.

Read the whole article and delight in Peggy’s wisdom and writing.

I’m glad my Governor “renamed” the state’s “holiday tree” and called it what it has long been called, “a Christmas tree” (a week before attending a Menorah lighting ceremony). We should welcome public displays of religion in our society and as Rabbi Wohlberg suggested, use them as means to respect each other.

And from this Jewish American, Merry Christmas to all our readers.

Comments

  1. And, a very Merry Christmas to you and Bruce as well. I hope everyone has the best New Years.

    Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg wrote:

    Let us learn to respect each other’s religion

    I’m sorry I have to disagree, as a woman it is very hard to respect one religion in particular.

  3. I’m sorry I have to disagree, as a woman it is very hard to respect one religion in particular.

    Comment by Pamela — December 23, 2007 @ 2:07 pm – December 23, 2007

    As a human being, I loathe Islam… Religion of Satan.

  6. As a militant atheist who spent his high school years despising religion and Christianity in particular, I find these middle-aged secularists making the same arrogant (and ignorant) arguments against religion embarassing. At least I grew up. What sad life journey are they on? I still don’t believe in God but I would much rather live in a Christian country than a secular “scientific” atheist one (N Korea, Soviet Union, Cuba, EU, Canada).

    I’m very happy celebrating Christmas/Yule/Hannakah with my diverse employees here in the medical field.

  7. As a Jew, I love wishing people Merry Christmas! And I’m thrilled to be included in a wonderful Christmas dinner with all the trimmings with friends.
    I adore all the lights, the Christmas tree, and if the music didn’t start around Halloween – that too.

    I have the pleasure of knowing some moderate Muslims (Iranians), the way they follow their religion is not much different than the way most American Jews and Christians do. So although I don’t like Arabs, and am not thrilled with a lot of Islam these days, I’m not willing to write it all off.

    I love America, there is a true feeling of sharing different traditions with one another.

    Merry Christmas to All!!

  8. Leah: I was in Israel once (I’m a Christian) and I was invited to shabbot dinner in Jerusalem at a university.. that was a really cool experience.. it was great to see how much affection everyone had for one another.

  11. #10 – Chaser, to a point you are correct: Arabs were some of the first Christians, along with Greeks and converted Jews. However, I believe the commenter was talking about “militant Islamists” and those who are supposedly moderate but silent when the militants are out there butchering those who “insult Islam.” (How do you “insult” a religion worse than Christianity, like dunking a crucifix in urine? But I digress.)

    My Greek Orthodox ancestors once said: “Better to live under the crescent than the pontiff.” However, they changed their tune from 1453 until 1821, after Greece was freed from Muslim rule.

    Yes, we are all God’s children. However, I would hope that Arabs live the way Jews and Christians do – to do unto others as they would have us do unto them. There are good Arabs, yes – but they are vastly outnumbered by the vocal majority who want death to all non-Islamists.

    Regards,
    Peter H.

  12. In Relgious Science or Science of Mind we respect all relgions. I still have a problem with Islam and hope that the day will come when they will renounce violence and the imams will apologize for the atrocities commited against Jews, Christians,gays, lesbians,and women.in the name of Allah and for the desecration of the Church, the Bible, and Missals they used for toilet paper when they occupied the church in Jerusalem.

    When occured, I always greeted my co-workers who were Jewish with Happy Chanukah. In common with Christianity it is a feast of light, as the eternal truth illuminates the darkness of our ignorance just as the days begin to get longer the sun dissapates the darkness of night.

    Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,

  14. Vince, I’m glad you had a wonderful time in Israel. America and Israel are two unique countries in this world, in that they open their doors and arms to strangers.
    Chase, call me a scrouge if you like. I’ve lived around Arabs, I don’t like them. Yes I am open minded enough to be willing to accept the individual as a good person if they prove themselves worthy of it.
    But sorry, on the whole, as a people the Arabs have done a pretty miserable job of respecting any kind of human rights. They murder their own women and daughters and consider it a matter of pride. Let’s not get into what they do to Gays.
    And they wouldn’t be happy with me wishing them a Merry Christmas. As to their being Arab Christians, they are dwindling in numbers. 40 years ago Bethlehem was a majority Christian city, today – maybe 10%. That wasn’t the fault of the Israelis, that is the fault of their muslim neighbors who see their Christianity as more of a problem than their being Arab.
    But to you I’m more than happy to wish a Merry Chirstmas!

  15. Good for you, Leah! Say exactly what you want and don’t let people like Chase shame you into editing the point you are trying to express into sanitized, benign statements that offend no one and impart nothing. He has pledged full, blind allegiance to his own identity box crafted by the Left and his indoctrination includes a misguided belief that he suddenly has the authority to act as a thought cop. I can’t believe the nerve some people have, telling others what they can and can’t say.

    The only thing more annoying than the politically correct leftists who think their own “enlightenment” entitles them to censor others, is the politically correct leftists who somehow still haven’t figured out that conservatives started standing up to the Thought Police about 10 years ago and telling them to cram it. Turns out, they’ re not that scary.

    Well done, and Merry Christmas.

  16. Sean A.. i agree with you.. telling the Thought Police to shut up removes their power. The Left thinks it can brandish it’s smear labels and then everyone will automatically shut up.. only our own failure to stand up for ouselves allows them that power.

    Besides. I dont see the logic in forcing people to remain silent about non-accepted-views… why would you not want that person known.. in other words, would you prefer to pretend he’s someone he’s not.. harboring these thought but never expresing them? that cant be heathy for anyone.

    I don’t like Arabs either. In the Middle East Christian Arabs are about the same culturally as Muslim Arabs because the Christian is dhimmi in the Middle East.. he is saturatated in the Jew Hate that overflows from the Muslim world.. you can’t be a Christian in the Middle East and tell a Muslim not to hate th eJEw.. instead the Christians gave up a long time ago and accepted the Muslim viewpoint.

    You want to see this played out.. view this video from the late 1980s.. in it is the story of the Christians in the West Bank. The story is how the Christians are joining with the Muslisms for the first intifada against Israel.

    The story looks at the past in Lebanon when some of the Christians decided to fight alongside their Muslim cohorts against the Israel invasion.

    Because the Christians were raised in the same Jew-hatred the Mulsims teach, the Christians thought to fight against Israel would buy their favor with the Muslims.. once Israel left the Muslims killed hte Christians.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxD_kgIqp3Q

  17. I would much rather live in a Christian country than a secular “scientific” atheist one (N Korea, Soviet Union, Cuba, EU, Canada).

    For those who aren’t up to speed, Canada is STILL a Christian country! And one of the few who actually recognize gay marriage.

    As a Canadian, I take offense at any comment that Canada is anymore secularize than the U.S. If anything, Canada is more Christian, showing more love than the U.S. toward ALL people. But that is a debate for another time, perhaps.

    While I do consider the U.S. to still be a dangerous place for gays and lesbians to live given the current government, I do think that will change and I would choose to move there should my lover decide to stay there.

    Merry Christmas to all!

  20. While I do consider the U.S. to still be a dangerous place for gays and lesbians to live given the current government…

    You consider wrong.

    Sounds like you’re a Canadian who harbors a few prejudices / stereotypes.