Posted on 12/10/2003 8:19:47 PM PST by Lancey Howard
The name change: Why we did it Bucks County Courier Times
Our view: We didn't drop Give-A-Christmas in favor of Holiday Fund in a politically correct effort to minimize religion. We changed in recognition of changing demographics and to broaden the fund's appeal.
We get it. We really do. We understand why some folks are upset about the name change for our annual fund drive. We've read all the letters - and we sympathize.
But replacing Give-A-Christmas with Holiday Fund - a change we implemented last year - wasn't done to minimize the importance of Christianity's most celebrated and joyous holiday. We recognize and accept the monumental impact Jesus Christ had and continues to have on the world. We recognize and accept the profound role Christians played in the founding and development of this nation. Indeed, some came here in order to practice their religion without persecution. Their contribution to this nation is clear and unassailable. To a large degree, we are who we are today because of them.
And we are proud of that heritage. We really are.
We also recognize the good and charitable things Christian churches and organizations do here and around the world. Millions of less fortunate people are better off because of those generous and caring efforts. We recognize all of that.
We also recognize that these are trying times for Christians. Not only has prayer been banned from the public schools, the word, "God," is unwelcome in many public venues. The Nativity scene and The Ten Commandments likewise have been banished from the public square.
We recognize that people are understandably angry over what many view as assaults on religion.
But we also recognize that ours is a nation of mixed cultures and religions. And non-Christians are among the nation's fastest growing populations. That's as true in Bucks County as it is across the rest of America.
So our name change was motivated chiefly by changing demographics. We wanted to maximize the fund's appeal by welcoming the newcomers' participation. Our goal, after all, is to raise as much money as we can, so we can help as many people as possible.
It was a practical decision, not one driven by political correctness or any other ideology, as many of our letter-writing critics have charged. Nor was our intention to water down or in any way neutralize Christmas.
Much of the money contributed did and does buy Christmas gifts for struggling members of our community, but it also is used to pay for staples - food, and fuel, and clothing for people in need. And to pay for other life-sustaining services.
So for quite a few folks the fund doesn't really give a Christmas as much as it gives necessities - and hope. These are causes worthy of our attention.
Our hope is that you won't let the letter writers dissuade you from contributing to the Holiday Fund. We won't keep the critical letters out of the paper because our mission here is to provide a forum for citizens to express their points of view. And we want to hear from you - good or bad.
Still, we hope that those who are angry with us can muster up some understanding - if not, perhaps some forgiveness. Because we meant no harm or disrespect. We really didn't.
Our intention was to maximize inclusion, not minimize the importance of Christmas or Christ or Christians. We wanted to broaden the fund's appeal - because the need is broad and, unfortunately, growing.
December 10, 2003 6:08 AM
They want to wash their hands of anything Christian, but I bet they party hearty because of the "holy-day".
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