Since its founding, our country has been a majority Christian nation. That's not to say that these Christians agreed on everything. It seems that there were as many different flavors of Christianity then as there were religions in the world and perhaps more; the same holds true today.
Because of these differences our founding fathers were wise enough to construct our Constitution on the foundation of liberty and freedom. They envisioned a public square not with an absence of religion but rather with a riotous tapestry of religious thought and expression; even if that religion was based on the faith that there's no God at all.
What these men from various religions and varying degrees of faith were most afraid of is that the government would choose one religion over the others even if that religion were a form of Christianity.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.Unfortunately over the last twenty or thirty years, one religious voice has gained a measure of dominance over the others. In the name of religious freedom this voice has worked tirelessly to reduce or even remove the voice of Christianity in the public square.
It's ironic but often true that groups will use the banner of freedom and tolerance to in fact restrict the freedoms of others. The freedoms of religion, speech, the press, and assembly are freedoms designed specifically for the expression of thought even or especially when that thought is religious in nature.
We've often held that if you do not allow your views or beliefs to be challenged, perhaps you need to re-examine those beliefs and the reasons for them. The same is true for religious belief. If your faith can not withstand the simple expression of "Merry Christmas," then perhaps you should re-examine your own faith - even if that faith is a certainty in the absence of God.
So... to those of you of the Christian faith (no matter which one) who will be celebrating Christmas, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. For those of you who are of different faiths - what ever they may be - we wish you a Merry Christmas as an expression of our faith not as an attack on yours.
18 comments:
Right on Eye!! I'm so sick of politically correct "happy holidays". CHristmas is a Christian holiday, and I always make it a point to say "Merry Christmas" to the public that I deal with every day at the City, and they say it back. Those who are not Christian should and I think do understand that this is a Christian holiday, and take no offense. The only people taking offense are some managers/admin. types I work with at the city--they fear the words "Merry Christmas" so I say it especially loud in their presence.
Thanks for posting the true meaning of CHRISTmas. Whether you are a Christian or not, celebrating the truth of the birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.
Blessings to all
Right back atcha! And thanks for bringing so much laughter (and controversy) to the internet. There is a light in the wilderness.
I disagree wholeheartedly with your premise. There is no meaningful anti-Christian movement in this country. Christianity and Christmas dominate the public square. If this was the country the founders wanted, it is what they could have created. They went to great lengths to avoid this. Thanks for listening and, oh yeah, and Merry Christmas.
The Journal is a good example of "Anti -Christ" . In years past the newspaper would say "Merry Christmas" across the top of the front page. This year it says Happy Holidays. It's TODAY'S paper, not last week's or the next week's. It's today. TODAY is Christmas. It should be sreaming MERRY CHRISTMAS!! across the top of the front page. I'm tired of buying this godless piece of dung they call a newspaper. The Albuquerque Publishing Compnay has nothing to be proud of. Get some gumption, hire some real journalists by the way and start printing the truth about the godless bunch that run this city as well.
Thank you 'Eye' for having the 'GUMPTION' and not being afraid to say it loud and clear.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you liberal heathens who despise GOD so much. May you just burn here or elaswhere as you should.
Oh, there is a HELL, so get used to the idea, and take all of the 'Pelosi's' you can find with you. Better yet, just go to another country and condem the religions you find there. See if you live more than an hour.
Well said and Merry Christmas
Everyone should read Sam Harris book, Letter to A Christian Nation. Thought, logic and reason should never be feared, but embraced.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you liberal heathens who despise GOD so much. May you just burn here or elaswhere as you should.
Oh, there is a HELL, so get used to the idea, and take all.........
HOW VERY CHRISTIAN OF YOU.....If this is what you learned about being a Christian in school I think you missed the point of it all. If this is what Christianity is all about, I'm really glad I follow another faith.
I attended a Christmas party yesterday and a close friend told me about your website. I have reviewed several of your stories. Wow; that's all I can say.
Happy belated Merry Christmas to all.
I want to thank the "Eye on Albuquerque" for speaking the truth. I can see now why this website is so popular!
"MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you liberal heathens who despise GOD so much. May you just burn here or elaswhere as you should."
And you wonder why some people don't like having religion put in their face? People who patronize the sentiment expressed above are indeed godless and without humanity.
Also, with respect to the perceived attack on Christianity consider this: Do you want a Star of David in the town square? Do you want Morning, Afternoon, and the other three muslim prayers broadcast over the loud speakers? Are you ready for the Hindu's to have their shrine up as well? If not then start exercising some tolerance because if the Christians are going to get time on the stage then so are all the other groups....that is why the words "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" are written.
I'm as secular as they get but I did indeed have a Merry Christmas and I appreciate the lessons of the prophet known as Jesus Christ. Remember Luke 6:35-38;42
Happy Holidays!
Christmas was created around 300-400 AD by politicians that wanted the Pagan's (a dominating group) & the Christians to get along. Some historians believe that Christ was actually born in early October.
The politician's, at that time, chose this time of the year for Christ's B-day because of Pagan celebrations. The, so called Christmas tree, was/is a Pagan novelty. Notice how many other religions, that were around before Christianity, celebrate this time of the year also. It was a smart political move, by leaders, who wanted to keep the people in control. Let us remember the Crusades, the 30 years war, more people were killed in the name of Christianity for standing up & speaking out about their religious beliefs. Towards the end of the war the Templar nights were becoming too powerful, so the politicians had their leaders executed & they were disbanded after that. All in the name of Christ.
I agree about some of the absurd politically correctness that's going on these days; however, there should always be a seperation of church & state. That's why our forefather's fled England and why we have the freedoms that we do today in America (for now).
I'm alittle disapointed in "the eye". You make many claims to be in alignment with the constitution, but this latest post shows that you pick & choose.
When we start taking sides we separate the people. Please "eye" don't go that direction not all of us are Christians. This site is so informative for exposing the corupt actions of city hall, don't give them back the power.
I would anticipate Brad will introduce an ordinance that will allow a manger to be on display at civic plaza following this post. The manger will have a red light rather than a star above the anointed one (this blog writer will push for a baby Winter) to demonstrate his vehement opposition to the “scameras.” It is amazing how this blog supports the council pres on every issue and has an uncanny ability to rail against a situation before Brad inserts agenda items to cure the ills outlined on the eye. The title of this blog should be renamed to Brad’s Brown Eye on Albuquerque.
For a couple thousand years Christians, Muslems and other religous groups were the ones dominating other people. Through torture, killings etc people who did not belong to their exact religous group were victimized.
I find it hilarious now that in the year 2007 these same groups cry that they are the victims because others don't want to hear their supersitous gobbly goop.
Go whine somewhere else and while your at it pray to your God for all the souls killed in the name of religon.
I love it!! The godless bunch that run the Journal! Right on!!! The Journal should say Merry Christmas!
Also, to all the above preachy crap about the history of religion, blah, blah, blah, peganism worshiping trees,blah, blah, yaddy-yaaddy, dah WHATEVER,yeah I've heard it all before. Say something new alreay! And oh yeah do you think all this could be backlash from having to deal with political correctness crap for so long!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
For you that didn't like the history lesson, not all people are as intellectual as you are. But, my friend, you forget we are in New Mexico here. I believe our state ranks around 49th for having good public education. So maybe some people, obviously not you, could use a history lesson.
I suspect that you belive women should stay home barefoot & pregant. And that it's OK to beat your wife & kids. You sound like a Muslim extremist to me.
By the way I love your grammar!
The only arguement you can make is about the grammar?! That is pretty much the only debate you can have when people do not believe in reason and logic.
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