About political correct Christmas

**CozInCowtown** · 12-20-2012, 09:56 AM

Great words from Ben Stein.

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

ChadTower · 12-20-2012, 10:51 AM

I am not a Christian or a Jew but I agree with every one of his secular points. I even agree with his religious points in the context of his beliefs. Good essay!

Pathfinder1 · 12-20-2012, 01:58 PM

Hi...

I think that Ben is incredibly brilliant. He's one of my all-time favorite people...!!

dinosaur · 12-21-2012, 09:13 AM

Merry Christmas.

Pathfinder1 · 12-21-2012, 10:25 AM

Hi...

PS:

Ben also has a great sense of humor...(perhaps from working with Nixon for so long)...??

Theosus · 12-21-2012, 06:41 PM

I get so sick of all the whining and complaining (especially on Facebook) about "it's not happy holidays it's merry Christmas!" and then there is the supposed "war on Christmas", as if the merchants would ever let the country do away with the holiday.

Just be glad someone said something nice to you, be it merry Christmas, happy x-mass, glorious Yule or happy hanukkahhaha.

If someone wants to call the damn tree a "nondenominational winter solstice-based holiday tree", who are we to tell them they are wrong?

Grandpa · 12-21-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theosus

I get so sick of all the whining and complaining (especially on Facebook) about "it's not happy holidays it's merry Christmas!" and then there is the supposed "war on Christmas", as if the merchants would ever let the country do away with the holiday.

Just be glad someone said something nice to you, be it merry Christmas, happy x-mass, glorious Yule or happy hanukkahhaha.

If someone wants to call the damn tree a "nondenominational winter solstice-based holiday tree", who are we to tell them they are wrong?

I have no objection to them calling it whatever pleases, but I do object to them telling me I can't call it a Christmas tree.

Hikenhunter · 12-22-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theosus

I get so sick of all the whining and complaining (especially on Facebook) about "it's not happy holidays it's merry Christmas!" and then there is the supposed "war on Christmas", as if the merchants would ever let the country do away with the holiday.

Just be glad someone said something nice to you, be it merry Christmas, happy x-mass, glorious Yule or happy hanukkahhaha.

If someone wants to call the damn tree a "nondenominational winter solstice-based holiday tree", who are we to tell them they are wrong?

The biggest problem I have with all of this is that those people who do not want to call Christmas, "Christmas", those people who are offended when we call any Christian day what it is, still want to use it as an excuse to take a day off work, or to have a special get together etc... If they don't believe that is their buisness ,but then I think they should go about their buisness as usual and they should allow those who do believe, to celebrate the way they want to. At the Risk of offending someone I would like to say "HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR" To everyone at OBC.

woodsman · 12-23-2012, 04:16 PM

Christmas wasn't originally a Christian holiday, we made it into one during the centuries. This is why I don't understand why all of the atheists are bothered by Christmas.
Whatever we may call it and whatever it's origins might be, it's the celebration of giving and being truly selfless. As a Christian why would you care what selfish little men think and say? Let them call it whatever they want, because deep down inside they are miserable and lonely. Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

Pathfinder1 · 12-23-2012, 05:50 PM

Hi...

I frequently visit an old friend of mine who is in a rehab joint...wheelchair-bound. During Hunnakuh there, a passing Rabbi would wish me a Happy Hannukah...and I would wish him the same back.

If it were at Christmas time, I would have no qualms (haven't used that word all day) about wishing him a Merry Christmas. And, he would probably wish me the same.

PS: I do prefer 'Christmas Tree', though...!!