For years, you have heard Bill O'Reilly clamor about it. The Christian Right in this country fears it. Even Rick Perry brought it up in his recent gaffe of an advertisement. Yes, it is that most wonderful time of year: to bring up the War on Christmas.
Recent cases that are supposed to prove that there is a "war on Christmas" are attempts to ban the construction of a Nativity scene on public school property or re-naming the Christmas tree a "holiday tree."
If this war honestly existed, let me tell you what it would look like. There would be public burnings of Christmas trees. Those dressed up like Santa Claus would be assaulted. Churches would be vandalized. Giving a Christmas mass or praying to Jesus in public would have you detained by the police. If you want to see what religious persecution actually looks like, take a look at Jewish history.
If you're still not convinced, take a look at polling. Rasmussen shows that 70% of Americans prefer the greeting "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays." Gallup polls are even better. Not only do 51% of Americans consider Christmas to be 'strongly religious' for them, but more than 90% in this country celebrate Christmas. Something tells me that Christmas will continue to be a part of American society and culture.
Why is it that those who are delusional about this "war" prioritize better? What about worrying why Christmas has become a celebration of rampant materialism? Or better yet, why not worry about real problems such as unemployment, increasing health care costs, or insolvent government spending? Rather than appease the Religious Right in some fictitious war, maybe O'Reilly and his ilk should be thankful that Christians throughout America can worship their religion freely.
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