Well, I knew we couldn't get through the season without it: the annual complaint letters-to-the-editors from good Christians whose sleighbells are in a sling because some shopkeeper made the horrific error of saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." I suspect we have a better chance of the winter solstice not coming than a year without these "war on Christianity" whines.
So to all of you who believe there really is a "war on Christianity" in Canada and the U.S., ponder these. Let me know if, by any chance, any of them cannot be answered with "yes" ...
- Is every religion-based statutory holiday in Canada and the U.S. based solely on Christianity?
- Are the stores decorated, are the salespeople frazzled, is Santa sitting in every mall, are the radio stations playing music specifically for Christmas?
- Is there at least one Christian church in every city, every town, almost every hamlet that has a name, where you can go in freely to worship any time the doors are open? Churches which, by the way, are exempt from taxation?
- Can you go into almost every card store and buy Christian-themed Christmas cards? Can you then send them freely through the Canadian or U.S. postal service, often bearing stamps specifically themed for Christmas?
- Can you go into almost any jewelry store and buy a cross or a crucifix?
- Can you go into almost any book store and buy a Bible? If you travel, are chances good that there will be one in your hotel's bedside table?
- Can you say grace at any restaurant before you eat your meal?
I think the "ayes" have it.
Remember: war is over ... if you want it.
