It would be simpler to disregard the subject altogether. But as is so often the case in religious matters, our culture wants it both ways. It wants the benefits of religious observance and practice without the religious content. And at no time is this double-mindedness more clearly on display than at Christmas. For instance, Christmas is a federal and state holiday.
Government offices are closed and employees get paid leave.
But some branches of government work overtime acting as if that weren t the case. In Lynch, the Court ruled that the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island s nativity scene passed constitutional muster. The problem with striving to protect people from considering the origins of Christmas is that there is no predicting what will cause people to make undesired religious associations. A few weeks ago, Jim Johnson decided that the generic seasonal celebration in politically-correct Eugene was still too sectarian. So, he banned the use of Christmas trees that s right, Christmas trees at municipal facilities and public building including, at least for a while, the senior citizens center.