Public Religious Displays
Mon., December 20, 10:21 AM
I wrote another letter to the editor today. Then I decided I want to disseminate it further. Here you go. I'll let you know if it gets printed.
There are times when people who have a basically sound idea go completely overboard. The atheist group protesting the Christmas display in Milford is a prime example.
Let me preface this by pointing out that I am Jewish. I do not celebrate Christmas. When I was in elementary school (granted, that was back in the middle ages), Christmas was a big part of the December curriculum. I sang Christmas carols, even “Gloria, in excelcis Deo,” knowing they were not part of my religion. I might choose not to participate, but the programs would remain. I was not permanently scarred by this practice.
By junior high school – I was still singing – the powers that were allowed us to include two Hanukkah songs in the Christmas program, which was open to the public. The Christian kids were free to choose not to sing the Hanukkah songs.
Possibly the greatest strength of the American way of life is our diversity, along with the freedom to choose what parts of diverse customs we will practice. We can appreciate the beauty of art and music that stems from another culture. We are also free to ignore it. The venue – private or public land – doesn’t really matter. You can walk down the street and see one Christmas display after another; you will not stop at each one and ask “who owns this?”
Personally, I like some aspects of Christmas and dislike others. That’s my prerogative. If you don’t like it, ignore it. Teach your children that you do not believe in such things. But teach them also that others are entitled to their own point of view. Next month the displays will be gone. Surely you can wait that long.
Merry Christmas! And happy solstice/dayoff/holiday to the rest of you.
