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Christian Americanism Vs Secular Pluralism Sometimes we are called to defend the faith we practice, and in doing so we may offend people who do not share the values we hold dear. In America, while defending our faith, we find that it is hard to remove Christianity from Americanism, so we end up defending both. Some well meaning but seriously deceived people will try to tell you that because America is a “melting pot,” Christianity and the observance of Christmas is out of place or offensive to the secular members of our diverse society. Christmas is celebrated because of Christ’s birth, so yes, it is also a religious observance by most Americans. Christmas is celebrated around the world, not just in America. Yet, it is in America, where people have many freedoms, that we find non-Americans and non-Christians challenging the practice of our faith. They find it offensive. So, in America, where most of us worship Christ, we do not appreciate the secularists and foreigners trying to tell us that we can’t do it publicly. Foreigneres living in the United States, a country that has given refuge to people from many parts of the world, can exercise their freedom to practice their own religion if they wish to do so. Our Constitution protects that right even if they are not Americans. If they left their own country, there must have been very good reasons to choose America rather than some other country. But what happens to some once they are here? They become offended by Christian practices in America. They like America but not it’s Christianity? Sorry, but they have a choice to make before they came; not us. When they left their native country for whatever reason, to came here by choice, I think it is inappropriate that they choose not to respect the traditions we hold dear. Respecting our traditions is not only good manners, but it shows gratitude that America welcomed them with open arms, and that they did not have to go somewhere else. Perhaps they chose to come to America rather than face hunger, poverty, persecution, death or whatever the reason that brought them here. They knew Americans are basically good, kindhearted people who would go the extra mile to offer them Christian hospitality. America is known for its generosity and goodwill to all people, worldwide. Some people come to America, as a guest, and what happens then? Pretty soon some begin to expect that Americans should stop being Americans. They start expecting Americans to make allowances so they don’t have to lose their cultural identity. What’s wrong with this picture? We Americans were here first, and we do not want to lose our cultural identity either; so what do you supose we do about it? American Christians worship Christ, and celebrate Christmas because of Jesus' birth. Foreigners knew Christmas was celebrated here before they came, and still came. So why is it then, once they are here, they feel offended that we celebrate Christmas in our own country? They are allowed to practice their religion while they live here. So, why can’t they extend us the same courtesy? The Atheists hate anything that has to do with God and religion. That is their God-given right as God gave each person free will. But I object to the fact that they try to impose their choice on those of us who are Christians. We do not impose Christianity on anyone. Why? I know; the ACLU is on their side, but guess what? The monies collected in all the frivolous lawsuits against Christians come from the taxes paid by the hardworking Christian Americans (for the most part). Their right to protest came as a result of the sacrifices of those who fought for their freedom to complain. It also came from the generosity of those who welcomed the foreigners who now complain, and by whom, we now feel persecuted by. Does that make you a little queasy? It ought to. So now they are here, and together with the Atheists, they want to change us to fit their need for bigotry. What’s wrong with this picture? Americans have open arms to help, and give refuge, to many who come looking for a better standard of life; to pursue the elusive American dream; that’s why many come. Does not mean that we Americans must lose our identity so they can have theirs? Somehow I fail to see that as God's will for America. Non-Christian Americans have the right to go to their Synagogue or Mosque or whatever place of worship they go to. Also, they have the right not to participate in religion at all. They can choose to worship anything they want to, even a rabbit, if they think it meets their spiritual needs, and nobody will persecute them for doing so. It is called freedom of religion that began with God who gave us free will. Whoever does not believe in Christ, or does not want to participate in Christmas, don’t celebrate. Nobody prevents them from practicing their religion, or force them to practice Christianity. They can remove themselves from any Christian activity and nobody will be offended. Does it make their kids mad that they won’t be allowed to participate in Christmas because they are not Christians? That’s not our fault; that is their parents' choice, but it appears that Americans are to blame, rather than admitting to their kids that they do not like the celebration of Christmas. They need to be truthful to their kids and stop the persecuting us. They can learn and accept the tenets of their own faith, and teach it to their children, but why tell the rest of us that we can’t practice our faith because it offends them? This is America, where freedom rings. Christian Americans please, do not allow Christmas celebration to disappear from the tapestry of America in order to satisfy religious bigotry by those who are here as our guests. We need to continue to respect other people’s desire to practice their faith. Other people who do not believe like us should stop persecuting us just because they choose not to believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. This is America. I am a Christian American, the wife of an American soldier, the mother of an American soldier, the daughter of an American veteran, the daughter-in-law if an American veteran, the granddaughter-in-law of an American veteran, and sister to a Vietnam veteran now deceased. I appreciate their love for God and country, that is very much like that of our forefathers who fought for our freedoms. In America, we have the right to celebrate Jesus and the blessing of Christmas publicly and peacefully. We should be able to do so without being persecuted by people who neither fought for our freedoms, nor respect our traditions in our sovereign American soil. If you do not like it here because of Christianity, no one will stand in your way if you want to go back to where you came from. In doing so, you not have to put up with our Christian traditions. For the observance of CHRISTMAS, and promoting 100 % Christian Americanism, Norma Klingler
Article Source: http://christian-topics.info
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