Posted on 11/03/2005 3:33:30 PM PST by rhema
Somehow Christmas seemed darker last year, bereft of its usual radiance. Like a heroic soldier, it was left alone to fend off a platoon of barrages against it. Shots came from many quarters all contesting the placement of Christmas symbols in public areas.
No protests came, however, from Orthodox Jews, nor those who, while not Orthodox, remain traditionally-valued. And that is because this group understands and appreciates the ameliorating influence that religion provides civic life, so long as the religion does not call for, as in the case of radical Islam, the oppression of infidels.
What better use of public property than the portrayal of values -- such as peace and goodwill to all men -- redounding to societys benefit, as is done, for example, on billboards regarding the hazards of drunk driving?
Furthermore, this group realizes that it is not religion per se but Americas brand of Protestant Christianity that has created such a hospitable environment for Jews, since it celebrates Judaism as a pillar and forerunner to its own Judeo-Christian ethic. Only in America does a form of Protestantism exist that sees in a living Judaism an actual affirmation of biblical Christianity. Evangelicals actually feel a personal bond to Judaism and the Jewish people -- as opposed to the historic theology that while tolerating it, assumed a separateness from it. This is a world first in the 2000 year relationship between Christianity and Judaism.
In contrast, many ardent secularists are discomfited by public displays of Christianity inasmuch as it makes them feel like outsiders. They lack the rootedness and sense of security that serious daily observance, faith, or sheer regard for religion offers. The answer to such insecurity, however, lies not in an annual legal and political war against those, Christians, celebrating their religion, but in being fulfilled and secure in ones own religion.
But to practice ritually, believe or, at least, highly regard would mean they would no longer be secular. And being secular is precisely who they are, what they want to be, and constitutes, for them, their enlightened identity.
It is not the duty of Christians to forgo their religious expression to accommodate those who seem unable to fill their own religious void. Nor should Americans be deprived of historic and cultural Seasonal joys because of the intolerance and stinginess of those apparently incapable of live and let live.
So as not to stand out nor be challenged by the religious traditions and values held by most Americans, the rabid secularists years ago embarked on a campaign to negate Christianity and other parts of Americana. In effect, neutralize the majority and its ethos by changing the culture to fit its secular lifestyle and perspective.
If the majority-held religion and attitudes can be leveled to where no one identifies with something unique, then there is no longer a majority ethos, instead a classlessness. By working overtime and capitalizing on the politeness of those Americans who wish never to offend, they have created a tyranny of the minority.
This neutralizing has been achieved through the concept of multiculturalism, which unlike diversity, wishes to reduce the distinctiveness of American culture. It cleverly labels Christmas displays and the Boy Scouts as non-inclusive and therefore, of all things, un-American.
Multiculturalism has been successful in not only neutering public Christianity and unique Americanism but, worse, convincing too many that their continuation is chauvinistic and exclusive. While the secularists are capitalizing on the innate good-will of the American people, its victims the American majority have become unwitting partners in their own cultural self-destruction.
Multiculturalism is the American version and lingo for age-old Marxist/socialist classlessness. It has taken hold because there exist in this country influential leaders of many different persuasions and races who subscribe to it. Those who have never understood the essence of America configure it through the prism of Europe and the Europeanism they crave. They are cultural elitists who disdain cowboy America and feel superior to it. Others are cosmopolitans who care not a wit nor identify with those in Peoria or Lansing but with Paris, Amsterdam, and Geneva.
Cultural nihilism has become the fashion of those infected with self-hate and those bored by Americanism, and by those in need to display their worldliness by minimizing the value of their own countrys ways. But why should Americans still excited and inspired by our traditional ways and institutions be silenced and made to take a backseat, here in America, to those long-ago cynical and bored by it?
Be it multiculturalism or its broader socialist antecedent, its effects surely weaken a country. For a people without a distinct identity will be unwilling to fight those outside intent on conquering it , and will be afraid -- as we see daily -- to stand up to those within wishing to dissolve it. Why fight if what you are fighting for is no better than what your opponent wishes to impose? Absent something transcendent, what is the purpose of fighting or even maintaining? Even borders should be open to all and full citizen-like benefits provided illegals, the multiculturalists litigate, inasmuch as America has no special reason, nor right, to assign importance to its own identity and sovereign integrity. Liberalism has as its ultimate aim American culturecide.
Increasingly, their contentiousness goes beyond the church-state issue into areas touching all of American life -- be it lawsuits against the military, government interrogators of terrorists, border patrol, or the Boy Scouts. Most often these are members of the Blame-America-First chorus in matters having nothing to do with religion but foreign-policy issues. That tells us a lot about their general feeling about America and what they are really up to.
Generally, we find excuses and justifications for that and those we love while finding things to criticize in those and that which we dislike. Their never-ending, boisterous criticism of America vis a vis the rest of the world (even indicting the American people --- the most generous -- for not giving enough aid for the tsunami catastrophe) sheds light on their congenital anti-Americanism, which on the domestic side is manifest in their desire and actions to dismantle historic America and its way of life. At its core, it has little to do with the First Amendment.
To me, there is something emotionally wrong -- no matter the IQ with spoilers who so denigrate and despise the very America that has given them so much and been the source of all their blessing and fame. Why would anyone take seriously and surrender to the machinations of such people, especially when it imperils that which they love?
For the politically motivated, removing Christmas from localities and villages all across the Red states is the way to avenge the 2004 election: You think you control America well you dont. Our A.C.L.U. lawyers will rule over your communities, and your Evangelical President is powerless to do anything about it.
They are equally oblivious to the pain of parents of Boy Scout troopers and the constant indictment of our soldiers inasmuch as they are, by and large, detached personally from these institutions and the individuals aligned with them. Even the removal of the Ten Commandments from public courthouses is non-personal given that to the secularist the Ten Commandments is not part of his glorious past but the core of the Evangelical present.
Most of us realize that among the most vocal entities spreading the message against Christianity, our traditional institutions, as well as the majority-held attitudes are the A.C.L.U., the New York Times, Hollywood, and the Anti-Defamation League. No one should be afraid to take these entities front-on out of fear of being labeled racist or callous to past historical injustices.
Fighting for the preservation of our historic American culture is not offensive, nor chauvinistic, nor exclusionary. Its our heritage, one our children deserve.
Rabbi Spero is a radio talk show host, a pulpit rabbi, and president of Caucus for America. He can be reached at Caucus for America.
Fighting for the preservation of our historic American culture is not offensive, nor chauvinistic, nor exclusionary. Its our heritage, one our children deserve.
I think you will enjoy this.
ON THE NET...
http://www.truthusa.com/CHRISTmas.html
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Coincidentily, I put my lights up today. Ya it's a little early but only because I want my message to run as long as possible. I've spelled out in lights "Screw U ACLU" on the rooftop.
Pictures man! We need pictures!!!!
LOL....Santa will REALLY like THAT!
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Tell me, would they dare censor a Muslim holiday in this country?
This is a great message, and right on the money. And for the record, I try to wish people a Merry Christmas, unless I know they're Jewish. In which case, of course, it's Happy Hannukah.
Excellent article. At first, I thought the title referred to something else. During the oil crisis in the early 70's, President Nixon suggested setting thermostats at 55 degrees and not putting up Christmas lights. Lack of Christmas lights seemed almost like a patriotic act. My town was dark at Christmas and it took many years to have people decorate with outdoor lights again. Never again! Let's make sure the ACLU and other far out groups don't try to kill Christmas observations by tying the issue to energy use. As for the thermostats...the birth of the pantsuit.
This year I will have a brand new Nativity Scene on my front lawn. Wal-Mart was the only store in town selling them!
Thanks for the ping ntnychik!
"Palestine is the wrong name for their State. It should be called Anarchy."FReeper sgtbono2002
"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."
The Nature Of Bruce ~
read/pingout tomorrow.
I am planning to start a Christimas decoration thread in a little while, so anyone who wants to can post pictures of their own efforts. As many Nativity scenes as possible.
Put it on the basement floor, it will be closer to their abode.
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