War Over Christmas Comes to Congress

By: Sergey Kadinsky
Topics: In The News

(iStockphoto)

The annual cultural debate over Christmas has come to Congress.

South Carolina Rep. Henry Brown, Jr. and 18 of his fellow House Republicans this week introduced Resolution 951, which makes it clear that Christmas should not be watered down for political correctness.

"I am troubled by the growing sentiment that the phrase 'Merry Christmas' is not appropriate," Brown said in a statement on his web site. "I am worried that attempts to celebrate a 'politically correct' holiday season may cause the loss of some of the traditions sacred to this widely celebrated holiday."

The nonbinding resolution states that it was never the intention of the Constitution's authors to "prohibit any mention of religion or reference to God in civic dialog" when they prohibitied the establishment of an official religion.

It goes on to say that the House "strongly disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas," and "expresses support for the use of… symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas."

"I believe it is important to preserve the right for everyone to worship as they believe," Brown said. "As a Christian, I feel it is also important that I have the right to celebrate Christmas and observe its significance as a national holiday and I strongly believe that wishing someone 'Merry Christmas' should never be met with disapproval."

To further bring his point home, Brown commented that while Christmas is a national holiday, its true meaning is to "celebrate of the birth of Christ."

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by webmonkeydc January 2, 2010 2:35 AM EST: Reverse Discrimination of Christmas: http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2010/01/reverse-discrimination-of-christmas.html; Reply to this comment


by britnboy December 11, 2009 3:55 AM EST: Check out how San Francisco celebrates the holidays. Annually a gay group creates The World's Tree of Hope in SF City Hall. It is cover with thousands of orgami cranes each inscribed with wishes send in from around the world. Obama, Clinton, Jane Goodall, Pelosi have all sent in wishes as well as everyday folks from around the world. One can send a wish in online for free at: http://www.rainbowfund.org/tree The tree is stunning - they are adding wishes through out December. They will print your wish, fold it into a crane and place it on the tree. It is billed as a project promoting, peace, love and humanitarianism for all people on earth. Now that is real "Christmas" spirit.; Reply to this comment


by JV1970 December 10, 2009 5:16 AM EST: If any of you think our religious freedoms aren't being taken away, well I know they are! I was fired once for reading my Bible on my breaks at work!; Reply to this comment


by JV1970 December 10, 2009 5:04 AM EST: We must never forget that Jesus is the "reason for the season"!; Reply to this comment


by opaingermany December 10, 2009 3:52 AM EST: I seem to recall that our country's constitution was based on Christian values. Therefore, to have such holidays as Christmas and Easter only confirm those values. Realizing that there are among us citizens who are non-Christian, we must always take into account their rights to believe as they will. Those citizens should remember however, the above and, at the very least, practice that toleration that our constitution guarantees. I recommend to those who take umbrage at being greeted with a "Merry Christmas" or the like, to just answer with a "Seasons Greetings" or maybe "Happy Holidays". Nobody gets hurt and the Peace of the Season (as shown throughout history) will not be broken, but rather, enhanced. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!!!; Reply to this comment


by newsterl December 10, 2009 2:56 AM EST: JOLLYPANTS;
"The militant atheists and the commie libs will behave like absolute Nazi's on this, trying to ever expand the meaning of "separation of church and state"."

GOOD! The right wing chrustaceans have forced THEIR krap on the rest of us for centuries, they FORCED native Americans and many many others to either convert or DIE- read the history, watch the documentaries like "500 nations" and see what they did, and they want sympathy and tolerance??? bullchit!!! Start by taxing the hel1 of them.; Reply to this comment

by eimorfin December 9, 2009 9:05 PM EST

One by one our rights and freedoms are being thrown down the toilet....but hey we were all fooled and continue to walk down the same path like sheep on the way to the slaughter....

Reply to this comment


by newsterl December 10, 2009 2:52 AM EST: Yeah, my freedom FROM religion is subverted and having religion and christmas foisted on me for 3 months a year is infringing on MY rights.

"I am troubled by the growing sentiment that the phrase ?Merry Christmas? is not appropriate,"

Its NOT appropriate, and Im troubled about having this garbage foisted on me from early November now thru February or even later, I wont even mention my tax dollars being used to give to CHURCHES in the form of "non profit" TAX DEDUCTIONS


by earthling76 December 9, 2009 8:08 PM EST: Are you people being distracted from something important?; Reply to this comment


by james.grimes December 9, 2009 7:44 PM EST: There is a separation of religion in this country. While I agree political correctness has been allowed to run amuk in this country, Congress does not have the time for a resolution. There are too many other things going on in this country to worry about--such as why while other countries subsidize the cost of drugs, why we have to pay full price.; Reply to this comment


by nordeck52 December 9, 2009 7:36 PM EST: Political correctness is a joke, and an exercise in semantics. It's pathetic.; Reply to this comment