Controversy has surrounded the Christmas season for many years as society becomes more multi-culturally sensitive and religiously diversified. Arguments have been made against widely using the term "Christmas" as it is a term used to describe the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. Christmas has been taken out of schools and many retailers have replaced the word 'Christmas' with 'holidays'. Instead of greeting people with 'Merry Christmas', retailers have recommended greeting customers with 'Happy Holidays' or 'Season's Greetings', and there have been several instances when official public mention of Christmas trees were replaced with 'holiday trees' as means of separation from the Church.
As an individual who doesn't follow the Christian faith, I have mixed views on the issue. When it comes to things like no longer allowing the Lord's Prayer to be recited every morning in schools, I agree. Religion should not be forced on anyone, but completely removing Christmas from schools would be disheartening for young children. Christmas is such a magical and fun time for children, and to take the fun festivities away in order to encourage social diversity seems a bit unnecessary.
Now, while I agree that religion is a private matter, banning Christmas doesn't appear to be the best solution to me, nor is it encouraging to students. Instead of banning Christmas based on its association with Christianity, perhaps it would be beneficial to simply include other religions. Participation in Christmas has always been optional, and taking the joy of Christmas away from children at school seems unfair.
As far as I know, Christmas is a harmless and inoffensive holiday tradition. Yes, I disagree with some aspects of Christianity and abuse of the religion, but that doesn't mean I take offense to and resent the holiday. I've never had people screaming at me 'this is when the Lord was born!' or forcing the ways of the bible upon me. Instead, I notice how much more uplifted and merry people during this particular time. We wish people a Merry Christmas with good intentions, not as a means of offending people. If someone wants to wish me a happy Hanukkah, I'm not going to take offense.
Drastically changing Christmas traditions because some people have different beliefs isn't right. We don't go to other countries and ask them to change their traditions and customs because we believe in something differently, and I hope we wouldn't expect other countries to change longstanding and harmless traditions on account of our different beliefs, as long as we were given the freedom to choose our religion. I see no evidence that it's necessary to give up traditions to demonstrate tolerance. It is possible to maintain tradition while simultaneously being accepting of other diverse, religious beliefs.
I recently read a CTV article in which a school in Toronto banned Christmas, the Lord's Prayer, and the National Anthem, yet allowed Muslim students to practice their prayers and customs in school. I'm all for accommodating other cultures and religions, but not at the expense of other traditions. It's hypocritical to selectively allow religion in an attempt to demonstrate the acceptance of contrasting religions, because that's not acceptance at all.
Though Christmas is strongly associated with Christianity, it also has secular themes, and is a secular holiday to many people, like myself for instance. I still wish people a Merry Christmas, and get excited when the Christmas tree is put up, but to me Christmas is not about the birth of Jesus. Christmas is a time of raised spirits, family, and giving. It means eggnog and colourful lights, snow and a fat man in a red suit. There are no biblical references in my celebration of Christmas, yet I celebrate it nonetheless. Santa Claus, reindeer, lights, giving and receiving gifts . . . these Christmas traditions are not inherently religious. Carolling, Christmas trees, mistletoe, holly wreaths and Yule logs all have pre-Christian origins
Nobody is being forced to participate in traditions they don't believe in and traditions valued by many Canadians shouldn't have to be changed to be 'accepting' of other religions. We should be able to have respect for other people's beliefs and traditions without expecting them to make changes or having to make changes to our own. I mean that's one of the great things about Canada, religious freedom.
I believe we all deserve a break from work, or school, and can focus on the simple joys in life, and celebrate whatever you choose to celebrate. Religious, non-religious, take it as you want. If you choose not to celebrate or if you're a scrooge, be grateful this is Canada and you have that choice in the first place. You can choose your religion, you can choose what you celebrate, and you don't have to live in fear for believing in what you want to believe in. Christmas, you know, is a time to remember the good things we have.
