Nov 30 2005
It’s Okay to Say ‘Merry Christmas’
As you listen to the discussions about the secularization of Christmas, it’s interesting to pay attention to the arguments used by the foes of Christmas. Usually when a group seeks to “de-Christ” Christmas it’s nominally because they don’t want non-Christians to be offended by an overtly Christ-centered message. So it was interesting to read about a British Councilman from Wolverhampton who stood up to denounce that argument.
From New Kerala (by way of the FoxNews Tongue-Tied column):
Punjabi Christian restores Christmas to British town
By Prasun Sonwalkar, London: At a time when Britain’s multiculturalism is fast turning into often misplaced political correctness, a Punjabi Christian councillor in the west Midlands town of Wolverhampton has been credited with bringing Christmas back to the country.For years, in keeping with the multicultural ethos, the town would herald Christmas with the politically correct slogan of ‘Welcome’ in the display of lights - this was spelt in several languages, including Punjabi. Wolverhampton has a significant population of Punjab origin people.But Elias Mattu, 46, a Punjabi Christian councillor, campaigned within the local council to include the word ‘Christmas’ in the public display in lights that is funded by the council.
Now thanks to his efforts, the public display of lights costing 150,000 pounds has been switched on with the words ‘Happy Christmas,’ rather than the bland and politically correct ‘Welcome’.
Mattu said: “Some officials seemed to think that the word Christmas might offend some minorities. But I pointed out that in India we have more than 500 religions and we have no problem getting on with minorities.
“I don’t know of a single minority in Britain which is offended by the mention of Christmas. I believe it was easier for me, as an Asian, to argue this case. I think all faiths should be accepted equally - but not at the expense of Christianity.
“Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus I’ve spoken to here all join in with it. It is patronising to suggest they’re offended. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and by removing the word Christmas from the lights I think it erodes Christian values.”
And now Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, wants to get into the act by calling the Capitol Christmas tree a Christmas tree.
