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Wednesday, November 29, 2006 12:00 AM

Don't like Christmas? Get a life

You may feel excluded by Christian symbolism, but you're in America. Work with it.

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  • Wednesday, November 29, 2006 02:58 PM

    Sacred/Secular

    My issue with the ubiquitous Christmas season, aside from being unable to escape it, is that people seem to want it to be by turns secular and sacred, and vehemently either. If it's secualar, American-aculturated, all-encompassing, non-religious, then it shouldn't matter, for example, if you skip saying "Merry Christmas" and say "Happy Holidays" instead. However, if you're OK with the tree and lights, but not the songs & sentiments praising the Christian prophet/diety, then that seems to be a problem (for some). If it is a religious holiday, then it shouldn't be incumbent upon non-Christians to participate. In fact, if it is sacred, then it is disingenuous and disrespectful to feign a worship you don't believe in. Spirituality needs to be more than lip service, so skipping religious Christmas by non-Christians is more respectful of it's meaning for those who believe.

    The problem I see with Christmas in America is that it's a moving target. Is it secular or is it sacred? Please let's pick one so we can all move along.

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