http://www.samueljscott.com/2006/12/25/from-a-religious-to-a-cultural-christmas/ Understanding politics from the left, right, and center Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:07:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= http://www.samueljscott.com/2006/12/25/from-a-religious-to-a-cultural-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-44 retro Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:27:24 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2006/12/25/from-a-religious-to-a-cultural-christmas/#comment-44 Hard to believe Christmas is already around the corner. I am ready for some Thanksgiving turkey though. Hard to believe Christmas is already around the corner. I am ready for some Thanksgiving turkey though.

]]> http://www.samueljscott.com/2006/12/25/from-a-religious-to-a-cultural-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Jeff Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:43:11 +0000 http://samueljscott.com/2006/12/25/from-a-religious-to-a-cultural-christmas/#comment-43 Why can it not be both religious and cultural? Indeed, one need not accept the dogma of Christ's birth (or even acknowledge his existence) to believe in peace, love, hope, and joy, or to engage in something that has truly become an American holiday, replete with food, decorations, and yes, commerce promoted through gift-giving. What's wrong with Santa Claus visiting a Jewish or Muslim home? To my knowledge, the Tooth Fairy doesn't play favorites. The Easter Bunny, too, has been known to deliver candy snacks to non-Christians -- talk about your commodification of a religious event! In short, Christians should celebrate their holiday as both Christians and as Americans, and non-Christian Americans should be happy they're free to celebrate or not celebrate whatever religious or cultural holidays they wish. Not to mention the free day off. Why can it not be both religious and cultural? Indeed, one need not accept the dogma of Christ’s birth (or even acknowledge his existence) to believe in peace, love, hope, and joy, or to engage in something that has truly become an American holiday, replete with food, decorations, and yes, commerce promoted through gift-giving. What’s wrong with Santa Claus visiting a Jewish or Muslim home? To my knowledge, the Tooth Fairy doesn’t play favorites. The Easter Bunny, too, has been known to deliver candy snacks to non-Christians — talk about your commodification of a religious event! In short, Christians should celebrate their holiday as both Christians and as Americans, and non-Christian Americans should be happy they’re free to celebrate or not celebrate whatever religious or cultural holidays they wish. Not to mention the free day off.

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