Let’s revisit the “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” controversy. I was thinking about this the other day, for no apparent reason…and it struck me! Holidays are derived from Holy Days. I checked and sure enough, “Based on the English words holy and day, holidays originally represented special days of the Christian Church calendar”
So what’s the problem now?
Well I think the problem with most contemporary fundementalist Christians is that they are looking to be persecuted as a way of shoring up their eschatology. They need the temple to be rebuilt and to be persecuted. They are working on the temple (which is why they support Israel no matter what) and now they have found their persecution in "Happy Holidays". Then there is the nominal Roman Catholic, Bill O'Reilly, who is really trying to trump up ratings, he plays the part of theologian when it comes to Christmas but is he perfectly okay with all sorts of other stuff, many things which go against the Roman Catholic Church which he likes to mention so often he is a member of.
ReplyDeleteHoliday and Christmas are both pretty much secualar terms to me now adays. Christ was taken out of Christmas long ago to be replaced with capitalism.
Merry Capitalismas!!!!
I think you have a point there..."need to be persecuted"
ReplyDeleteYes it creates the us vs. them mentality found so often in all sorts of fundementalism. I find it interesting that the hate Jesus tells us we will encounter for his sake has to be created by fundementalist. Almost like proof texting scripture. If they don't create these silly controversies then they don't fell truly Christian. Contrast that against the Christians in Eastern Europe, China, Africa, and the Middle East. They have been and are being martyred for their faith while American fundementalist lament the use of "Happy Holidays". Keeping in mind also that the money being spent to reconstruct the temple, fight these silly battles in court, etc could be used to feed the hungry and house the homeless. I think it will make for a mighty interesting judgement day.
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