Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas
Every year, there seems to be a gigantic debate over using the term "Merry Christmas" in the public square. I actually don't think the debate is as "real" as some people make it seem, and I think that its largely manufactured by conservatives to score political points, but it does highlight a number of important cultural issues, nevertheless.
For starters, it highlights the anti-Christian bias of most liberal Americans and Canadians. The bias would be against all religions, but liberals still like to make themselves think that they're compassionate to us funny looking coloured people (Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, etc.) from foreign countries, so they usually concentrate their anti-religious biases exclusively on Christians. Vasakhi, Diwali, and Ramadan will always be Vasakhi, Diwali and Ramadan, but since Christmas belongs to the "white-man" and their religion, it must be offensive, according to most secular whites.
Even though the bulk of Canada's population is "Christian" in some form, saying "Merry Christmas" is somehow worse for secular whites than saying something about Ramadan, Diwali or Vasakhi. I know for a fact that every Vasakhi, in the Sikh community, the premier and federal politicians do what they can to be noticed at the Nagar Keertan (parade). Doing the same at an exclusively Christian-based parade or event would be considered "pandering" to "extreme-right-wing" forces.
I honestly don't get the anti-Christian bias out there, and I don't think that I ever will. I remember growing up watching documentaries on TV about modern-day evangelical preachers like Billy Graham and how they brought thousands upon thousands of people into the Christian faith by talking about "love" and "devotion" and a number of other harmless things. I was always so impressed. "Why couldn't us Sikhs have such impressive revival events?" I've always grown up admiring evangelical Christians and their devotion to spreading their own faith and improving their lives through the Church, even though I have so many problems and concerns with how many of them view their faith in relation to the state.
How long will it be until a time when not only is "Merry Christmas" offensive, but "Happy Vasakhi" could be too? I don't think that we're moving into that type of society (like France - where all religions are hated equally), but it does make me supportive of "Christmas" and even a more religiously based form of Christmas because I genuinely like to see Christians practicing their faith. Devout Christians produce more babies, which helps society in its most basic form. Devout Christians are less likely to be involved in crime, etc. Devout Christians are more likely to be giving, kind and compassionate people. I got so upset at some of my Sikh friends who expressed concerns at the results of the past presidential election in America, because it highlighted their biases against devout Christians, even though they themselves were devout Sikhs. Apparently supporting liberal causes was more important to them then not being irrationally biased towards religious people.
Anyways, a belated Merry Christmas to everyone. I don't personally believe, as a practicing Sikh that Jesus Christ was a "saviour" in the same sense as Christians do, but I do believe that he was a great (and incredibly influential) man, and I see nothing wrong in celebrating that.
For starters, it highlights the anti-Christian bias of most liberal Americans and Canadians. The bias would be against all religions, but liberals still like to make themselves think that they're compassionate to us funny looking coloured people (Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, etc.) from foreign countries, so they usually concentrate their anti-religious biases exclusively on Christians. Vasakhi, Diwali, and Ramadan will always be Vasakhi, Diwali and Ramadan, but since Christmas belongs to the "white-man" and their religion, it must be offensive, according to most secular whites.
Even though the bulk of Canada's population is "Christian" in some form, saying "Merry Christmas" is somehow worse for secular whites than saying something about Ramadan, Diwali or Vasakhi. I know for a fact that every Vasakhi, in the Sikh community, the premier and federal politicians do what they can to be noticed at the Nagar Keertan (parade). Doing the same at an exclusively Christian-based parade or event would be considered "pandering" to "extreme-right-wing" forces.
I honestly don't get the anti-Christian bias out there, and I don't think that I ever will. I remember growing up watching documentaries on TV about modern-day evangelical preachers like Billy Graham and how they brought thousands upon thousands of people into the Christian faith by talking about "love" and "devotion" and a number of other harmless things. I was always so impressed. "Why couldn't us Sikhs have such impressive revival events?" I've always grown up admiring evangelical Christians and their devotion to spreading their own faith and improving their lives through the Church, even though I have so many problems and concerns with how many of them view their faith in relation to the state.
How long will it be until a time when not only is "Merry Christmas" offensive, but "Happy Vasakhi" could be too? I don't think that we're moving into that type of society (like France - where all religions are hated equally), but it does make me supportive of "Christmas" and even a more religiously based form of Christmas because I genuinely like to see Christians practicing their faith. Devout Christians produce more babies, which helps society in its most basic form. Devout Christians are less likely to be involved in crime, etc. Devout Christians are more likely to be giving, kind and compassionate people. I got so upset at some of my Sikh friends who expressed concerns at the results of the past presidential election in America, because it highlighted their biases against devout Christians, even though they themselves were devout Sikhs. Apparently supporting liberal causes was more important to them then not being irrationally biased towards religious people.
Anyways, a belated Merry Christmas to everyone. I don't personally believe, as a practicing Sikh that Jesus Christ was a "saviour" in the same sense as Christians do, but I do believe that he was a great (and incredibly influential) man, and I see nothing wrong in celebrating that.
posted by Japnaam Singh at
1:50 PM
2 Comments:
Although I have nothing against Christians (and do admire them in many ways) I express reservations about some "very christian" politicians (and people) simply b/c I've noticed that very religious Christians come in two basic varieties. The racist, anti-"other religions" (except Jews) type is the one that concerns me. And there are many of them. And their view on their own religion is a very twisted one.
The type that believes in "judge not lest ye be judged" and lives by it have an incredible amount of respect from me. Merry Christmas.
Anonymous ji.. I agree with you in some respects, but no matter what, you will always have extremists. They do NOT concern me, because I believe that common sense always prevails... AS LONG AS.. we all have freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
Take away speech or expression from anyone, and you're on a slippery slope. Extremists will find an even more willing audience. Give it to all, and those with right opinions or correct premises will be able to refute those that are extreme or illogical.
Don't forget, it was non-Christians in the first place that first claimed "insult" at being wished "Merry Christmas," as if it was an evil phrase. That did nothing but provoke the extremists.
In my world, it's "live and let live." The truth will always win when there is total freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
And of course, good training on critical thinking. :) I'd rather have good training in critical thinking, and allow extremists to have their say, than to do away with good critical thinking education and then bar extremists.. and then who else would we bar as well?
Critical thinking is far more important than what some person's speech makes us "feel."
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