Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;
Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;
Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population;
Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;
Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its Judeo-Christian roots;
Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;
Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and Grace; and
Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore, be it
- Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
- (1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;
- (2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;
- (3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
- (4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;
- (5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and
- (6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.
See who voted for this crap.
5 comments:
wait what? what does that mean? is this the first step to becoming an official christian state?
also, "When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not care to support it, so that its professors are obliged to call for the help of the civil power, 'tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one." -- Benjamin Franklin
I flipped out when I read this article. Absolutely unacceptable.
I don't see a reason to be concerned over this resolution. It simply says that the House recognizes Christians - nothing else. . . It does not say that all people must be Christians. There is no direction to go to church, simply that the house recognizes Christians. It doesn't even address the concerns as outlined in the title of this resolution. I would like to know why some of you are so concerned about those who voted for this? I see no harm in accepting an already predominate religion. Waste of time maybe, but no harm. My concern is why there were 9 who voted against it – especially representative of a people who enjoy religious freedom. Would there be as much concern if a similar resolution was passed for any other religion? (I don’t think so).
I also thought this resolution was about recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian Faith, but all I read is that we should respect Christians. Somehow the word Christmas got lost (or severely diminished) in the translation of this resolution. That seems to be happening a lot these days.
This resolution also has nothing to do with the separation of church and state. Those who think it does are sadly misinformed. Our country was founded on Christian principles, but we are given the freedom to choose whatever religion we like. However, that religious freedom does not mean that anyone has the right to take away from or diminish the rights of those who want to celebrate Christmas.
Where is the respect for Christmas that has been observed for hundreds of years in many countries around the world - that of being able to wish someone a Merry Christmas without shame, offense, or guilt? I would have hoped that this resolution would have covered that gap.
Granted, not all celebrate Christmas, but a greeting such as Merry Christmas provides no grounds to be offended. I would not be offended if I was offered a friendly greeting from another religion that is important to them. Over the years, the term Christmas has grown to be more than a day. It represents an entire season that covers many religious holidays, it is not just for Christians anymore. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas Day or the Season, that is your right, but don't prevent me from offering greetings or simply enjoying this special time of year.
I have heard many television and radio ads, received many cards and talked to many folks this season, and seldom do I hear or read the phrase "Merry Christmas" - that is a true shame! Human Resource managers, advertisers, and corporate executives seem to run scared at the thought that someone might be offended if such a congenial address as Merry Christmas is given. I would like to know what the problem is with this great country of ours! Are we really that thin-skinned as American people that we can't tolerate a predominant religious holiday greeting? The majority of a nation should not be forced or shamed into thinking that wishing someone a Merry Christmas is unacceptable or a bad thing.
As indicated in the title of this resolution, Christmas IS important to Christians but the season should be important to all mankind – regardless of your religion. (If that bothers you, I would suggest that you get thicker skin and learn to tolerate and enjoy the diversity of the human race!)
Have a Merry Christmas!
In response to: "Waste of time maybe, but no harm."
When Congress wastes its resources--time, energy, space, materials, brain power--on superfluous legislation, it actually is harmful because those are resources not spent on one of countless pressing, life-threatening, and otherwise dire issues facing our country.
Secondly, this legislation is pointless because it declares something that all Americans are already granted by the constitution--freedom of religion and the right to privacy. Therefore, this legislation is redundant, and again, a waste of resources.
The redundancy and pointlessness of this bill is of real interest--because what would be the point other than to affirm Christian leanings in our government?
If America is a pluralistic country predicated on constitutional freedoms, only one of which is religion, than a) such a bill is unnecessary, but more importantly b) legislation should protect the sacredness and right of individuals to celebrate all holidays--not give a particular group the privilege of legal protections and not others.
By what merit is Christmas protected and other holidays not? Must we waste precious time to protect every holiday when the all Americans have the constitutional right to celebrate in the first place?
But like I have said repeatedly, we have religious freedom so this legislation is a joke and only speaks to Christian bias in our government.
Merry Christmas to you, too--and I say that because I already have the right to, not because my government has insulted my tax dollars with pointless legislation.
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