Growing up in a predominantly Jewish community, I was more used to singing about Dreidel’s than Christmas Trees, at least in public. And that really only happened in school. The rest of the time, we just lived our lives and listened to people talk about who they hated a lot and who they hated not as much. There was no war on Christmas in my neck of the woods. Then, in the last few decades, a lot of people started to whine about their loss of dominance in the culture and the privilege they used to have that they never knew existed. Kids like me were called “disadvantaged”, so we got stuff that others had but that our family couldn’t afford. (That’s equity, by the way, that leads to equality – sort of). Equal rights were part of the dream, not the threat, to a better future.
All of the sudden, Starbucks occasionally had non-Red & Green cups in December! These are not Christmas colors, by the way; they are from Nordic/Germanic traditions that were synced with pseudo-Christianity to sell the dream of a greed-filled Christmas – advertising, if you will. Righteous indignation exploded – how dare other religions ask for equal footing – that’s downright Constitutional! “We are a Christian Nation!” the fake Christians wailed. No mention of just how few of our founders – just how few Americans during the Revolution – were actually practicing their alleged faith. We are so used to Christian Nationalism that we mistake it for actual faithfulness. Real Christians embrace others with love. Fake Christians work to diminish them.
Boo Hoo! There is no war on Christianity in America and there never has been. Up until not too long ago, lots of activities were banned on Sunday’s, giving deference to church folk. We can’t say the same about the Holy Days of Jews and Muslims, can we? And if I, as a Christian, were being considered for vice president, I wouldn’t have to worry about being murdered because of my religion. And, as one friend told me yesterday, I wouldn’t have to worry about my family and faith community being in danger because of their religion. If that isn’t privilege, I have no idea what is. The only religious war taking place in America is the one being waged by people pretending to follow Jesus, but instead are using Him for political and financial gain. They will go after anyone – including me – who disagrees with them. And many of them have guns and are not afraid to use them.
Good people come in all kinds of faiths and political parties – terrorists do as well. Banning anyone for the religion they practice is illegal. Controlling people’s rights based on your religious views is also illegal. There is a war on women – there is a war on democracy -and there is a war on decency. But there is no war on Christmas. Make sure you know who the actually warmakers are. They are sneaky and divisive and working hard to take us over. Be prepared.
Prayer – Holy God, this great nation provides room for every person to practice – or not – the faith of their choosing. Remind those who would evict those who are different from them of Your great gift of freedom. Amen.
Today’s art is “Freedom to Worship; Freedom from Worship” by Ted Wallace.