by Frank Sinbeans

Created on: February 15, 2010

In America and other Westernized democracies, we treasure our freedoms. We're willing to fight - even recognizing that we'll be required to kill, and possibly even die - for them. This includes our right to freedom of religion. We're free to have a religion, or not. We can our wear religions, anti-religion, atheism, or whatever we're inclined to believe, on our sleeves. We can debate about it in public, and in private. Or we can even choose to hide our beliefs from all others, if that's what appeals to us. And it's no one's right to tell others how they can or should express their beliefs - or their lack thereof.

And that right protects Christians, just like everybody else.

Whether a Christian (or non-Christian, for that matter) wants to display a Christmas tree in public, or wish others a merry Christmas, or whatever, is no more offensive than is a Hindu woman choosing to wear a spot of paint on the forehead. Just because, in the United States, Christianity is the predominant religion does not make expressions of that religion more (or less) offensive to non-believers. Moreover, Christmas means different things to different people. To some, it's a highly religious holiday, not complete without a trip to church, or viewing Midnight Mass on TV. To others, it's simply a time of festivities, gift giving, and family togetherness. (And to some, it's nothing more than another chance to party.)

It would be no more reasonable to deny highly religious individuals the opportunity to publicly celebrate what is, perhaps, the most important day on their religious calendars, than it would be to prevent an atheist from celebrating Christmas (which happens), or a Jew, or Hindu, or even a Christian who is simply less devout. Every participant has his or her own reasons for celebrating, and should be left in peace by those who disagree.

To those who find Christmas displays offensive, there is a simple answer: Don't look at them. Don't like the music? Wear ear plugs. Or better yet, learn to be more tolerant. Whether you celebrate or not, reality is, second-hand exposure to religious festivities will not kill you.

As a non-believer myself, I can understand how some may consider "religious zealotry" offensive and tiresome. But as one who loves freedom, and the right for all to experience religion, or the lack thereof, in peace, in whatever way one desires, I can also say to anyone who is offended by religious expression: get over it.

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