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Maybe I'm reading too much of this stuff. I only know that there are some really strange people who seem to think there's a "war" on Christmas started by people who don't agree with the Christian myth around the holiday, which seems to be a melding of pagan and early church customs. That might be disturbing to really fundamentalist Christians, but that's history.
One thing I try to do is be objective and start from what is actually going on. What is actually going on is a few very strange people seem put out with the idea that not everyone sees Christmas the way they do and are hell-bent to make sure we all "see the light", even if they have to create a firestorm to do it. That strategy fits with the current strategy of trying to "moralize" and "christianize" us so-called "liberal savages". Wil Wheaton's essay drives this home for all to see and rather vividly depicts how it plays out: in our family life across this country. Most telling was the description of what seems to happen as intelligent people embrace dogma without question. Something delightful and warm and human seems to go out of them. I watched this many times with people's conversions to religion. The joy and aliveness seemed to leave only to be replaced by this angry, unapproachable beast who seemed ready to explode into madness and hysteria if you didn't say the right things.
I try always to seek the truth, or get as close to it as possible. That seems to keep me sane especially during times like this. Thanks, Wil for your hilarious and poignant piece. Good Wishes to you this holiday.
