Post by Moses on Dec 23, 2004 6:12:45 GMT -5
Like Santa Claus and eggnog, the argument over the proper public role of Christmas has (almost) become an annual tradition. This year, the fighting seems unusually intense. Witness the recent (justified) uproar over comments made by Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly regarding public expressions of Christmas. According to the Los Angeles Times, on O’Reilly’s radio show, “when a listener called in, identified himself as Jewish and raised questions about religious celebrations in public schools,” O'Reilly “replied that ‘overwhelmingly, America is Christian. And the holiday is a federal holiday honoring the philosopher Jesus. So you don’t want to hear about it? Impossible. And that is an affront to the majority.’ Later in the exchange, he told the caller, ‘Come on, if you are really offended, you gotta go to Israel then.’” Yes folks, he actually said that. -- aaiusa.org/countdown/c122204.htm
Actually, Bill, the US is a Protestant Country. Yes, there was at least one Catholic Colony-- Maryland. But Maryland passed a religious tolerance law in 1649, that separated Church and state, and which served as a basis for American principles, when it overthrew the British theocracy (which was Protestant and vehemently anti-Catholic-- the Irish Catholics, in particular, were regarded as barbarians, in need of slaughter/civilization).
The pageant of Christmas is very Catholic, and the Puritan founders banned it. Real Christians/Protestants -- that is the Anglo-variety, regard it as a kind of sacriledge. But Bill, being Irish Catholic, really doesn't understand America or its principles, and should return to Ireland.
Actually, Bill, the US is a Protestant Country. Yes, there was at least one Catholic Colony-- Maryland. But Maryland passed a religious tolerance law in 1649, that separated Church and state, and which served as a basis for American principles, when it overthrew the British theocracy (which was Protestant and vehemently anti-Catholic-- the Irish Catholics, in particular, were regarded as barbarians, in need of slaughter/civilization).
The pageant of Christmas is very Catholic, and the Puritan founders banned it. Real Christians/Protestants -- that is the Anglo-variety, regard it as a kind of sacriledge. But Bill, being Irish Catholic, really doesn't understand America or its principles, and should return to Ireland.
