Smug and Ignorant

Here is an example of the arrogance of Christianity:

(CNN) — This whole push to remove Christ from the Christmas season has gotten so ridiculous that it’s pathetic.

Roland S. Martin says we should continue to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Because of all the politically correct idiots, we are being encouraged to stop saying “Merry Christmas” for the more palatable “Happy Holidays.” What the heck are “Seasons Greetings”? Can someone tell me what season we are greeting folks about? A Christmas tree? Oh, no! It’s now a holiday tree. Any Christmas song that even remotely mentions Christ or has a religious undertone is being axed for being overtly religious. And I’m sorry, forget X-M-A-S. Malcolm X? Yes. X replacing Christ? No.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m very respectful of other religions. I don’t want anyone to be afraid of discussing the Jewish faith when we address Hanukkah. And we shouldn’t dismiss Muslims when the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is held during December. In fact, Americans are so ignorant of other faiths that we can all learn from one another.

But this seeming backlash against Christianity is bordering on the absurd, and we should continue to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

(Is he? The Roman Pagans celebrated the Saturnalia from Dec 17-23. This was long before Jesus. The worshipers of Mithras celebrated the Birthday of the Invincible Sun on Dec 23 long before the victorious Christians decided to appropriate the day for themselves. We Norse Heathens celebrate Jöl (Yule) over this same period. The reason for the season, Mr. Martin, is to show proper devotion to our Gods. This was true 2,000 years ago and it’s no less true now, and it was being done before anybody had given thought to a Galilean peasant later made into a God.)

I know that may sound strident, but it’s true. We spend an inordinate amount time focused on shopping and buying gifts, but really, what does any of this have to do with the birth of Jesus? We have families all over the nation killing themselves to buy a tree they can’t afford, running up their credit to buy toys and other gifts, all in an effort to make someone else happy.

(On the contrary, along with commercialism, there is far too much Jesus in the holiday season. Jesus was born in the spring, most scholars believe. So please, Mr. Martin and the rest of you, leave us our traditional holiday and find one of your own. We’d appreciate it)