In his essay, “Intellectuals and Socialism,” Friedrich Hayek asked how it was possible for a small group of people to have such influence on the ideas and politics that affected millions. He argued that it was because the socialists influenced the “influencers”–those “secondhand dealers in ideas” like the press, educators, and editors, who spread socialist thought into the mainstream.
A parallel can be seen in the cultural battles over religious symbols during the Christmas … I mean, the holiday season. One would think from media coverage that there exists an overwhelming consensus that religious symbols have no place on public property. But the reality is quite different. There may be a clear consensus among the secular intelligentsia, but it doesn’t hold for most Americans.
A recent poll showed that a majority of Americans are perfectly happy with displays of religious symbols and believe it is fine for schools to celebrate religious holidays.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of adults believe religious symbols like Christmas Nativity scenes, Hanukkah menorahs and Muslim crescents should be allowed on public land. Just 13% disagree, and another 10% are undecided.
Eighty-three percent (83%) believe public schools should celebrate religious holidays. This figure includes 47% who think the schools should celebrate all religious holidays and another 36% who believe they should only celebrate some. The question did not single out which holidays should be celebrated and which should be excluded.
Only 14% think the public schools should not celebrate any religious holidays.
Additionally–news for retailers: “Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of adults prefer “Merry Christmas,” while 22% like “Happy Holidays” instead.”
So why the widespread sense that Christmas is the holiday that must not be named? It’s another example of a small minority of Scrooge-like secularists spreading their gloom to the rest of us in the guise of enlightened tolerance, a secular Uniculturalism that strips America of our traditions and vitiates the human experience.
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http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1219085
Ray
December 15, 2009
2:51 pm
I operate a small retail shipping store and have found that by saying “you are now free to have a Merry Christmas”, rather than telling customers to have a Merry Christmas, lets the customer decide to be merry or a Scrooge. Most of my customers openly appreciate the Merry Christmas phrase and respond accordingly. We avoid the PC “Happy Holidays” phrase, and as do most of our customers. So far we’ve offered a Merry Christmas to over 800 people with no complaints.
On the other hand, I don’t expect to see many anti-religious types sending Christmas gifts. Something about advertising to Scrooge and teaching a pig to sing have similar outcomes.
PATRICK POWERS
December 15, 2009
5:29 pm
As an atheist, I can tell you that many non-religious and even anti-religious people celebrate Christmas. Christmas is pretty much a secular holiday today. As you no doubt know, Christmas was originally a pagan holiday that was “Christianized” a long time ago. If Christians can Christianize a holiday, then secularists can secularize the same. My relatives (all non-religious) put up Christmas trees, exchange gifts, have Christmas Dinner and so on. Remember, all of those traditions were originally pagan traditions.
The non-religious people I know use the name “Christmas” and have no problem with it. The etymology of the word isn’t really important. Just like the word “holiday” is derived from “holy day.” We all know that “holiday” is now used for non-religious days too, such as Independence Day or Labor Day, so its original meaning isn’t important.
The reason for saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” was to be courteous to all non-Christians, not just the non-religious. Apparently, many Christians have a problem with being courteous to non-Christians.
The fact that most Americans support allowing religious symbols on public property is simply due to the fact that most Americans are religious. That doesn’t make it right to ignore the opinion of the minority opposed to it. 13% is about 1 out of every 7 or 8 people. That is not an insignificant number. Also, most non-religious people are not concerned so much with things like nativity scenes, but with things like posting the Ten Commandments in courthouses. We don’t want people trying to influence law or government with their religion.
Dwane Anderson
December 16, 2009
5:11 am
What Dwayne is advocating is simply tyranny by the minority.
I’m also curious why Dwayne has no problem celebrating the secular holiday of Christmas, but has a problem with people wishing him a merry one.
Robineus
December 16, 2009
12:17 pm
“Also, most non-religious people are not concerned so much with things like nativity scenes, but with things like posting the Ten Commandments in courthouses. We don’t want people trying to influence law or government with their religion.”
So, in your opinion, non-religious folks, like yourself, have a problem with our laws and our court condemning things like murder, theft, bearing false witness. Interesting Worldview!
Neal Lang
December 16, 2009
1:59 pm
“The fact that most Americans support allowing religious symbols on public property is simply due to the fact that most Americans are religious. That doesn’t make it right to ignore the opinion of the minority opposed to it. 13% is about 1 out of every 7 or 8 people. That is not an insignificant number.”
If the Ten Commandments send you “non-religious” around the bend, how do you guys feel about Creator Endowed Rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? Is it your position that if 13% or more want to trash it - we should simply rescind our Founding Document on the basis of diversity? And what about the “rights” of the “7 or 8 people” who believe that without this God given, unalienable Rights the “non-religious,” like those who took over control of Russia, will soon be denying those rights to satisfry the “collective.”
Neal Lang
December 16, 2009
2:08 pm
“The reason for saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” was to be courteous to all non-Christians, not just the non-religious. Apparently, many Christians have a problem with being courteous to non-Christians.”
Only an ignorant putz would object to someone wishing them a “Merry” time, no what their religion or non-religion. The entire premise of Christmas is “Joy to World” - the whole World, not just Christians. Christ was born and died for everyone, including the you atheists, which is why the celebration of His birth is a reason to be “Merry!” Only an atheist would think that wishing someone merriness was some sort of insult. Perhaps that is why most atheists are so droll.
Neal Lang
December 16, 2009
2:18 pm
Hey, Dwane, can you list the five greatest “non-religious” cultures in history? Just curious!
Neal Lang
December 16, 2009
2:20 pm
Fun fact - the US House of Representatives Chamber in Washington DC is graced by bas relief sculptures of great lawgivers in history, including Jefferson, Solon, Hammurabi, etc. The interesting thing is that all of the bas reliefs are profiles and are placed in such a way that they are all looking toward a central bas relief, which hangs in a position of honor and prominence and faces the speaker’s podium. The profile bas-reliefs are all “lesser lawgivers.” Who is the greatest lawgiver in history? Moses.
I look forward to Dwayne’s explanation of how this acknowledgement of our cultural heritage and the contributions of Christianity to our society represents a dire threat to his liberty and the impending establishment of forced religious devotion on the populace.
marc
December 16, 2009
4:20 pm
Merry Christmas and God Bless us, everyone!
MaryAnn
December 17, 2009
9:22 am
Christmas is the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus. It matters not what pagans/atheists believe about it, or about any pagan rituals surrounding it. Christmas refers to Christ’s Mass, and nothing else. You can try to spin it anyway you want, but it will always come out the same…Christmas is a Christian celebration, and even those who don’t believe that, still celebrate a Christian holy day.
In other words, Merry CHRISTmas. That’s right! God exists and God is more wonderful than any human can ever imagine. Just because an atheist does not believe does not unmake God. God asks everyone to love Him, but does not require it. If an atheist would rather spend his or her life in darkness and sadness, along with his or her eternity, that is their choice. But let it be known, I am confident that in front of God upon death, there ARE NO atheists. Stick that in yer craw.
Bruce
December 17, 2009
11:55 am
Bruce,
Sixty percent of Atheists believe in heaven. I’d like to know exactly what an Atheist believes he must know or do to merit heaven, since the infinite love and mercy of God are not a part of atheistic thinking. For Christians, heaven is a gift to be accepted, based on the sacrifice of Jesus (It is no accident the baby Jesus is placed in a manger).
I’d also like to know the percent Atheists believe in Hell or Purgatory.
Patrick
December 18, 2009
9:48 am