Apparently some Christian wing nuts are all in a tizzy because Bush sent out 'happy holiday' cards instead of 'Christmas cards.' It makes me wonder if they will ever acknowledge that they are not the only religion in this country and they are not the only religion to celebrate a holiday in December.
Maybe, just maybe, one or two of those cards mailed by Bush are going to Jews (Gasp!). It never ceases to amaze me how close minded some people are.
'Holiday' Cards Ring Hollow for Some on Bushes' List
By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 7, 2005; Page A01
What's missing from the White House Christmas card? Christmas.
This month, as in every December since he took office, President Bush sent out cards with a generic end-of-the-year message, wishing 1.4 million of his close friends and supporters a happy "holiday season."
Many people are thrilled to get a White House Christmas card, no matter what the greeting inside. But some conservative Christians are reacting as if Bush stuck coal in their stockings.
"This clearly demonstrates that the Bush administration has suffered a loss of will and that they have capitulated to the worst elements in our culture," said William A. Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
Bush "claims to be a born-again, evangelical Christian. But he sure doesn't act like one," said Joseph Farah, editor of the conservative Web site WorldNetDaily.com. "I threw out my White House card as soon as I got it."
Religious conservatives are miffed because they have been pressuring stores to advertise Christmas sales rather than "holiday specials" and urging schools to let students out for Christmas vacation rather than for "winter break." They celebrated when House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) insisted that the sparkling spectacle on the Capitol lawn should be called the Capitol Christmas Tree, not a holiday spruce.
Then along comes a generic season's greeting from the White House, paid for by the Republican National Committee. The cover art is also secular, if not humanist: It shows the presidential pets -- two dogs and a cat -- frolicking on a snowy White House lawn.
"Certainly President and Mrs. Bush, because of their faith, celebrate Christmas," said Susan Whitson, Laura Bush's press secretary. "Their cards in recent years have included best wishes for a holiday season, rather than Christmas wishes, because they are sent to people of all faiths."
That is the same rationale offered by major retailers for generic holiday catalogues, and it is accepted by groups such as the National Council of Churches. "I think it's more important to put Christ back into our war planning than into our Christmas cards," said the council's general secretary, the Rev. Bob Edgar, a former Democratic congressman.
But the White House's explanation does not satisfy the groups -- which have grown in number in recent years -- that believe there is, in the words of the Heritage Foundation, a "war on Christmas" involving an "ever-stronger push toward a neutered 'holiday' season so that non-Christians won't be even the slightest bit offended."
(Full Story)
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5 comments:
I'm blaming this on John Gibson and his damn book, and the fact that he has a platform at Fox news where he is trying to increase his sales. There have been some very ridiculous moves by the so called anit religion crowd, my favorite so far is the attempt to force Las Cruces to change the city logo to not include crosses. I guess the city can keep the name of The Crosses since it's in Spanish and it's not offensive in another language. Or something. This war on Christmas nonsense is the reciprical response by the idiot brigade on the other side. At least I understand where John Gibson is coming from, for him this is all about book sales and money, for everyone else, well...I don't know.
Maybe it's become the national pastime to look around and see if we can find someway that we've been slighted. I'm sure I can think of something if I put my mind to it.
Ok, the changing of the logo might be going a little too far, but I have never seen it so I reserve final judgement. Dose it have jesus nailed to a cross, or just some crosses?
Living in NYC, there are more religions that I can count on all 16 of my fingers and toes. Hell if I am going to try to remember who is jewish, hindu, christian, muslim, etc. For me it is a a generic 'happy holiday.'
My feeling is - if saomeone says 'Merry Christmas' and you are not christian, don't get offended. They are just trying to wish you well. If you are christian and someone says, 'happy holidays.' don't get offended. That is just their gig.
But christians are going to have to get over the fact that they are not the one and only religion in this country and not the only religion that celebrates in December.
Besides, isn't christmas supposed to be about love, peace and understanding?
I am utterly stunned by the apparently serious comment by the Catholic League president that sending out "holiday" cards shows the President has "capitulated to the worst elements of our culture."
So, let's see, we have murderers, terrorists, child molestors (including some of our catholic clergy), thieves. Who are we missing? Oh, people who send warm greetings in December.
The Catholic League and their far-right fundy friends really need to gain some perspective on true injustice and suffering in the world.
This would be hilarious if it were'nt so sad
I just got my Christmas card from Governor Jeb Bush. It states, "Wishing you every happiness for this season and throughout the coming year." It also contains the verse from Psalm 91:2, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." No specific reference to Christmas.
I love the word "tizzy."
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