Tuesday, July 05, 2005
“Secularist” is the Santa Claus of religion. An abundant gift giver that people try and convince the innocent to believe in, But more often than not, an illusion used to scare folks into behaving.
It’s so meaningless a distinction that it’s begotten “Church on Church” attacks. When The United Church of Christ tried to encourage people to start attending services again to find a new shared fellowship with their neighbors, regardless of opinions on race, abortion or sexual orientation. (Views also shared by Unity and Unitarian Universalist congregations) they were charged with “hate crimes” against the fundamentalist sects.
Suggesting these churches can advertise they’re “welcome to all” is “bigotry,” according to churches which apparently … aren’t.
The boogeyman of “the communist ACLU is ‘preventing’ Nativity scenes” is used by those seeking religious exclusivity on government property (in communities unlikely to approve of the same space used for similar ceremonies from all religions). Such was the case of the Salvation Army — wanting to be the only charity soliciting at Target.
Which party is using force: heavily funded groups in the business of taking pre-emptive offense, complaining about television broadcasts, movies and music their followers never see, or the seemingly wise businessmen wishing “Happy Holidays” willing to respect customers’ celebrations of Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, or even (gasp) nothing in December?
“Forced” recognition that millions of Americans have multiple belief systems and accompanying holidays has shamelessly been labeled a “hate crime against Christians.” Spurred on by talk radio, televangelist’s fund-raising screeds, and identical opinion letters across America, such is the great “Secularist” discrimination Myth.
It’s so meaningless a distinction that it’s begotten “Church on Church” attacks. When The United Church of Christ tried to encourage people to start attending services again to find a new shared fellowship with their neighbors, regardless of opinions on race, abortion or sexual orientation. (Views also shared by Unity and Unitarian Universalist congregations) they were charged with “hate crimes” against the fundamentalist sects.
Suggesting these churches can advertise they’re “welcome to all” is “bigotry,” according to churches which apparently … aren’t.
The boogeyman of “the communist ACLU is ‘preventing’ Nativity scenes” is used by those seeking religious exclusivity on government property (in communities unlikely to approve of the same space used for similar ceremonies from all religions). Such was the case of the Salvation Army — wanting to be the only charity soliciting at Target.
Which party is using force: heavily funded groups in the business of taking pre-emptive offense, complaining about television broadcasts, movies and music their followers never see, or the seemingly wise businessmen wishing “Happy Holidays” willing to respect customers’ celebrations of Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, or even (gasp) nothing in December?
“Forced” recognition that millions of Americans have multiple belief systems and accompanying holidays has shamelessly been labeled a “hate crime against Christians.” Spurred on by talk radio, televangelist’s fund-raising screeds, and identical opinion letters across America, such is the great “Secularist” discrimination Myth.
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