Middle America's Worldview

Finally received the VPN software I need to get back online with Corporate using my cable internet access. Still trying to get it properly installed. Suppose to be a simple uninstall/install function. Yeah, ok. Currently cannot get into Lotus Notes. Doesn't seem to be my week to get anything done right.

I am figuring it's the VPN not being configured. Bummer man.

I heard on the news today in Florida, an individual won in the supreme court the ability to display a nativity scene in public, by other religious displays. What's the deal with America around Christmas anyway? We are suppose to be tolerent with the exception of Christ's celebrated birthday, that also happens to be a federal holiday? Talk about bias. A friend sent me an interesting email I will post below.

Take Your Christmas and Stuff It

"Christmas with the Kranks" is not only the name of a holiday movie this
year, it is also a national trend. Once again, Christmas is under siege by
the growing forces of secularism in America. Put these facts in your
stocking:

* Federated Department Stores, which includes Macy's, has suggested that
managers avoid displaying "Merry Christmas" banners and have ordered
employees not to talk about it.
* In Denver, a church was banned from the "Festival of Lights" parade
because it wanted a religious theme to its float.
* The Maplewood, New Jersey school board has banned all religious music
from "holiday" concerts. (Would somebody please tell me exactly what holiday
this is?)
* And New York City Mayor Bloomberg insists that the lighted tree outside
City Hall is not a Christmas tree, it's a "holiday tree." (What holiday,
Mr.
Mayor?)
Surveys show that more than 90% of Americans celebrate the Federal holiday
of Christmas, signed into law by President Grant in 1870. Despite that
overwhelming number, the tradition of Christmas in America continues to get
hammered.

The anti-Christmas forces say it's all about diversity, protecting the
sensitivities of those Americans who get offended by the mere mention of the
birth of Jesus. Somehow, I haven't been able to locate any of these
people--folks who find a baby in a manger so off-putting, it ruins their
day.

So the diversity excuse is a bunch of bull. What's really going on here is a
well-organized movement to wipe out any display of organized religion from
the public arena.

The secular-progressive movement understands very well that it is organized
religion, most specifically Christianity and Judaism, that stands in the way
of gay marriage, partial birth abortion, legalized narcotics, euthanasia,
and many other secular causes. If religion can be de-emphasized in the USA,
a brave new progressive society can be achieved.

It has happened in Canada. Once a traditional religious country, Canada has
become like Holland in its embrace of the secular movement. Some facts: In
1980, 79% of Canadians said that religion was important to the country. That
number has now fallen to 61%, according to an Environics Focus Canada poll.

In 1971, less than one percent of the Canadian population reported having no
religion whatsoever; now that number has risen to 16%.

The fall of religion in Canada has corresponded to a change in public
policy. Unlike Americans, Canadians have legalized gay marriage and any kind
of abortion. Also, the age of consent for sex up north is just 14 years old.
Can you imagine American adults being allowed to fool around with children
that age? I can't.

Even drug legalization is close to being a reality, as the city of Vancouver
is developing a heroin give-away policy, and pot has been largely
decriminalized across the country.

The Canadian model is what progressive Americans are shooting for, and so
religion must be dealt with. Since Christmas is the most demonstrative
display of organized religion, the strategy of minimizing the birth of Jesus
makes perfect sense.

I know this sounds kind of conspiratorial, but it really isn't. Most of
those marginalizing Christmas have no idea about the big picture I've just
presented. They simply think they're looking out for the minority of
Americans who don't celebrate the birth of Christ.

But committed secularists in the media, in the courts, and in the education
system know exactly what's going on. And now so do you. Merry Christmas!