Holiday, etc.

In recent years, it seems like there is a huge backlash from the Religious Right when it comes to the way the holidays are acknowledged and celebrated. I swear, not a day goes by that someone dosen't make some sanctimonious comment about "keeping Christ in Christmas" by telling their kids that Santa works for Jesus, or some other such thing, or signs an email or tweet, "Merry CHRISTmas", or something else like that.

You know, I'm totally fine with people acknowledging whatever holiday they want, whatever way they want. I have a problem with people trying to put their way off on others, or diminish other people's ways, and that's what it seems like the Religious Right is doing.

In the Army, the unit holiday party is mandatory if your unit has one, so making it ONLY a Christmas party is actually pretty discriminatory. I will be the first to say that since something like 90% of Army Chaplains are of one Christian faith or another, soldiers who are not, will need to speak up if they want their side of things represented in the unit party. I always tell people that they should just make some decorations that represent their traditions, and volunteer for the set-up committee so that they can get them in there. Most Chaplains also give the same advice. They are of their own view point, but have the job of supporting soldiers of all faiths, so they are a great asset in helping any soldier represent their side in the unit holiday celebration, This always works famously, and the holiday party truly represents all soldiers who have spoken up and represented themselves. I have seen Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Yule/Solstice decorations alongside the Christmas decorations at many unit parties I've attended over the years.

The problem comes when the announcement calls it a Holiday Party rather than a Christmas Party. The Religious Right just flips out at this. They think it's "overly PC" to acknowledge holidays other than Christmas. I think that's just so asinine. Our country has people of all faiths. Why can't everyone be acknowledged? A lot of people have holidays this time of year. Why should the Army, which includes soldiers of all faiths and views, only acknowledge one?

What's more, for some people, Christmas is not a religious holiday at all. For a lot of people, it's just a fun holiday that's mostly about Santa, and presents, and food. It's not wrong if it's a completely religious holiday for some people. It's also not wrong if it's a secular holiday for others. I have never seen someone who prefers a more secular approach in their own life try to put that off on the religious ones, but I see the reverse all the time from November to January. It's absolutely ridiculous.

So basically, this is America. Freedom of religion is guaranteed to us in the Constitution. That means freedom to opt out of the religious aspects of things, is also implied. Plus, if you want to get really technical about it, ask any historian. There's no way Jesus was actually born in December. Christmas as we know it, is merely a piggybacked celebration on the Celtic celebration of Yule. This was done to make it a more attractive prospect for the Irish to accept Catholicism. The equivalent can be said of nearly every holiday that's celebrated by any Christian denomination these days. If you're going to harp on something being done "the way it was always done", let's go ahead and get it right. It's Yule, it was night before last, and did you have a bonfire, light yellow candles, or hang a Yule wreath? No? Neither did I. It's ok. The point is, historical fact does not back up the majority of people on this, and while I'm totally ok with that, and support their right to have their celebration however they want it, it does emphasize that they are certainly in no position to tell others that they are wrong.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! (Yes, to everyone, no matter what holiday they celebrate.)