Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Obliviousness, Thy Name Is American Religious Right!
The world is constantly taking the religion out of religious holidays. A jolly white-bearded man slipping down chimneys to leave gifts under a tree has nothing to do with the day set to recognize Jesus' birthday. Did the Easter bunny rise from the dead after three days or did Jesus? Why are the real meanings of certain holidays often sidelined while imaginary characters get to play the field?
Separation of church and state, that's why. Some Americans don't want any type of religion intertwined with other affairs. No 10 commandments monument in the Alabama State building. No creationism taught in science classes. Even some, like atheist Michael Newdow, have fought against the pledge of allegiance stating "One nation under God."
Oh yes, some Americans advocate for the separation of church and state. When it isn't convenient for them, that is. Most employers give their employees Christmas Day off, but do these people refuse to leave their jobs? After all, it is a religious holiday that these corporations are honoring. What about stores? Do non-religious people let the "Easter Weekend Special" or "After Christmas Sales" pass them by? Where are all the "no's" then?
Bluntly put, society wants to have its cake and eat it too. People would rather create false ideas and concepts than recognize the deserving person or thing when it comes to a religious holiday. Yet if that same holiday proves beneficial in any way for them, then it's okay to celebrate it as long as it's done their way. As long as I have my own way of celebrating a certain day, everything is fine.
This is untrue. Secular practices do nothing but disrespect religious holidays. They say that the actual significance of the day isn't important. They say their way is better. More importantly, because completely opposite traditions are imposed, secular practices say the original wasn't good enough; therefore, different customs had to be made. If something isn't broken, don't fix it, right? Each holiday has its own specific origin and purpose for celebration. None of them need any additives or any help to be able to fulfill the role for why they are observed.
- Shala Marks, "Secular practices disrespect significance," State Press, Arizona State University student newspaper, April 5, 2010
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* Yes, I'm aware that there is controversy about the pagan roots of Easter but it is still oblivious to so smugly declare the "specific roots" of these holidays have been changed by American secularists.
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Hey! "Mass communication" journalists just have to know how to ask the 5 questions and maybe look pretty on camera. It certainly don't take much logic to be Glenn Beck!
Hear, hear! We need a lot more good old traditional wassailing and licentious revelry!
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