That Christophobia Thing.

There is a culture war.  A lot of folks deny it on both sides, but there is a culture war and one of the battles is indeed over Christmas.

Mentioning the “C” word in some circumstances can be tantamount to uttering a profanity.  My wife is the director of a men’s barbershop style chorus here in town and they are currently doing their annual Christmas show.  They’ve contracted with the local Community College to use their little theater.  They are paying the college to rent the facility for the weekend.

My family back in the Great Lakes State had their annual Christmas get together last night and they phoned me as I helped Mrs. VW and some of her chorus members get set up for the show. 

I told my brother what I was doing and where, he was surprised.  He works for a public college back in Michigan.  According to him, he said that the college wouldn’t even allow an organization to rent their theater to put on anything Christmas related.

That’s idiotic.  It’s just another example of “Christophobia”.  It’s the irrational fear of anything Christian.  I admit I made up the term, but it is surely based in fact. 

The other day, I went to the local little neighborhood grocery store to pick up a few things.  It’s a small Mom and Pop place that you really don’t see much of any more.  I paid for my items and as the young college-age clerk handed me my receipt, I thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas.  He kind of froze for a second, frowned at me and said really grudgingly, “Happy Holidays”.  Yeah, right, thanks pal!

Now I’m not a zealot.  I don’t walk down the street with a bible in my hand ready to thump it on the next person I see.  I’ve said Merry Christmas all my life.  I’ve sent a card or two that said “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings”.  I got the standard Christmas card from the White House this year and didn’t think a thing about it saying Happy Holidays.  So what?  I say Merry Christmas; I’ve always said Merry Christmas.  Culture war or not, it’s what I’ve said long before someone started complaining and I’ll probably continue to say it.

It’s not like I’m wishing you a bad thing.  If the young clerk had been cheerful or merely said “Thank you” I wouldn’t have probably given it a second thought.  If I were to be greeted by a Muslim during Ramadan saying, “Ramadan Mubarak” I wouldn’t be offended in the least.  I would thank the gentleman, wish him the same and move on.  Why would anyone take offense at being wished the blessings of Ramadan?  I’m not Muslim, but it doesn’t bother me.  I would assume that meant the person was wishing me good, not ill.  It’s the same if a Jewish person wiished me Happy Hanukah.

If it offends you for someone to wish you a Merry Christmas, than you are small minded.  I wouldn’t be far from the mark to say that you are an angry, selfish person. 

Civility is surely slouching away.  I’ve heard all the arguments about Christmas.  I’ve heard, and even agree to an extent, the complaints about commercialism.  I’ve heard the arguments concerning its pagan traditions, I couldn’t care less.  If you choose to celebrate Christmas in someway or not, it’s up to you.  If you want to buy into the commercialism (and admittedly I do) then go for it.  If you want to keep it strictly religious, then whatever you choose is fine with me.  But if I wish you a Merry Christmas, don’t take it as an insult.  It surely isn’t meant that way.

If you are offended by someone wishing you a Merry Christmas, then grow the hell up.  At least be civil.  Oh, and seek some help for that Christophobia thing. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

VW

Comments

[Peace Moonbeam]

Violence Worker, thank you for voicing the thoughts of millions concerning Christmas.
The "de-Christing" of Christmas saddens me deeply as I believe it's a true barometer of the spiritual health of our society. It's nice to finally see a groundswell of support for the truth that we have been, and are a Christian nation and refuse to be bullied by the ACLU and the rest of the secular leftists who worship at the alter of man.
Enough is enough for those of us who have ridden this slippery slope of "political correctness" from the late sixties to today.
We are not afraid to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord nor are we going to acknowledge this holiday as anything but a celebration of His birth.
Merry Christmas!