Posted on 11/19/2002 6:17:05 PM PST by mlmr
The Christmas stock is out in the stores. There are scads of snowmen, Santas, reindeer and other items craving for your dollar. But interestingly enough, when one asks for religious Christmas items, at most stores, which serve a public that is conservatively estimated to be about 67% practicing Christian, there is nothing for sale.
No Christian based ornaments, hardly any Nativity scenes, and Christmas card... “Well Lady, I have robins, joke cards, Santas, dressed and nude, as well as lovely winter scenes and smart looking graphics.” Nativity scene? Magnificent reproductions of famous religious Nativities painted by the Masters? Ummm...no.
Some clerks make a weak smile and point out their extensive angel ornaments...others are belligerent and say firmly: "No we don't carry that sort of thing here." One owner said she did not carry religious Christmas items because people would be offended.
Guess what? I am offended. Every time I walk into a store decked out in its Christmas finest and cannot find any religious Christian items, I am offended. Every time I walk through huge displays of Christmas knickknacks and have to hunt to a bottom shelf of dark aisle to find a small nativity or Christian Advent calendar, I am offended. Every time a walk into a store with a brimming Menorah display, but no equally brimming nativity display, I am offended. (I have nothing against Hanukkah, I just want my religious tradition upheld with respect too. After all we are talking about 2% of the US population versus 67%.)
It is odd. When I talk to clerks about the availability of religious items in their stores, most also tell me that many people ask for them, but there just isn't anything available. Funny, that there is a need and no will to fill it.
I am equally offended by the Christians who are oblivious. Who no longer expect their tradition will be honored by having its items made available through retailers. Christian who don't want to rock the boat. Christians who don't want to seems too pushy or too religious.
I recommend that all thinking Christians go into retailers and ask where the Christian religious objects are located. If there are no religious objects available, perhaps it is time to tell the retailer how disappointed and offended that your religious tradition is being dismissed.
So I have decided to be offended...and to let people know...that true plurality honors even the faith of the majority and dominant culture. I encourage you to do the same...it confuses 'em when we use their words and phrases against 'em.
Proudly displayed on the lawn of the County Court House!
Europe, although very secular is very respectful of CHRISTIANITY. Most of Europe is Christian. Look at Ireland and Italy (predominantly Catholic) Britian, Germany, Austria (Protestantism and Catholicism prevail) The Greeks are Orthodox. I'm surprised at your surprise.
Is this for real??
I do this ALL the time when I am out during this time of year. Drives my wife nuts, but I really don't care. I confront people...ask them where the tradition of exchanging gifts for this 'holiday' come from? Why are they ASHAMED of Christmas? I believe Jesus had something to say about those who were afraid to confess Him to others. There is nothing like pinging someone's 'comfort zone' this time of year.
I expect them to respect the beliefs of the majority of their customers.
Maybe if you read Luke 6:20-26 you'll see what Christ had to say about those who were marginalized for His sake....
But they are taking advantage of a religious holiday to make a profit....and in the process...gutting the holiday of all its meaning and not respecting the religous aspects of this one particular holiday, while paying attention to other religion's holidays.
No. But the Politically Correct "Sparkle Season" has always nauseated me.
I consider it a victory that it is officially kaput.
Gulp! Well, they did use the word Christmas...but this certainly not what I had in mind...
Say that reminds me...
A couple of years ago I found out right here on Free Republic that I was Jew. Yup! I made a post (I think it was on a Chanukah thread), wherein I typed "xmas". Somebody got worked up, and posted their own vanity thread about the "Christ killing Jews taking the Christ out of Christmas". My post was offered as Exhibit A proof of this Zionist plot.
But there's more to the story...
That very morning, before the [short-lived] thread appeared, a Jewish Freeper had made a comment to me, that the Lord has a way of revealing what tribe a person is from.
Oy vey. :-O
How's that for the Christmas Spirit?
I see this as part of the culture war for traditional people.
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