LA Times columnist Joel Stein writes a column called Oy to the World where he ultimately says that he thinks there isn’t a war on Christmas . I find this ironic and also insulting as a Christian because all throughout his commentary he disparages Christians and what we believe.
To begin with he states in no uncertain terms that “no one outside the media is at all interested” in this supposed war on Christmas. He then cites John Gibson’s new book, which he admits not reading, "The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought," supposedly started the debate about this topic, and then insults the title by asking, “Seriously, the guy couldn't even afford an editor for the title?” What’s the point of that? And please explain to me why the book has done so well if no one is interested in the issue.
Stein goes on to write, “In fact, Gibson and fellow Fox anchor Bill O'Reilly are so upset that they have organized a boycott of Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Sears and Costco for using the phrase "Happy Holidays" in their ads instead of "Merry Christmas." I'm guessing those places also stopped selling Brylcreem."
Why the insult about O’Reilly and Gibson here?
Stein goes on to say, “Jerry Falwell is supporting the catchy-named "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign" that has lawyers ready to sue anyone who won't let them do Christmas wherever they want. The Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign newspaper ads tell you to call "if you are facing persecution for celebrating Christmas." I'm thinking too much time spent studying Jesus can give you a persecution complex.”
Really? So studying Jesus can give a person a persecution complex? I am highly offended by this statement for a number of reasons. First and foremost if I dared to say studying Allah too much could give one a persecution complex I wouldn’t hear the end of it from those who believe Islam is a religion of peace.
Then the real reason Stein is writing about so called Christian persecution is because he’s Jewish, and said, “I don't care that much about Christmas. It's hard to celebrate someone's birth when you supposedly killed the guy.” He goes on to say, “We Jews find it a little embarrassing that adults can still make such a big fuss over Christmas. To us, Jesus was just a cool guy everyone liked because he died young.”
Saying that Jesus was just a cool guy and one liked him because he died young is totally offensive and outrageous, and Stein says that there is no war on Christmas. I’m sorry, but those are fighting words.
And yet after his insulting words Stein claims the following, “Still, I agree with Gibson to this extent: Christmas is a Christian holiday, and trying to eliminate the religious aspect is insulting. There's nothing more annoying than people telling me I should get a tree and string lights in front of my house because these aren't religious symbols.”
And if Stein knew anything about the history of the Christmas tree then he would know it does have historic roots to Christianity.
Then Stein continues to insult Christians while at the same time claiming to be accepting of the Christmas holiday. Stein goes on to say, “I get that I live in a Christian nation. And I'm fine with it. I like you guys… It's like living with children. I'm grateful that our Constitution separates religion from our law and our non-Kansas schools…So please, go nuts with your celebration, with your lying to children about where presents come from and your beverages made from raw eggs and your desperate use of greenery to get women to kiss you.
No, there's no war on Christmas….
Right Mr. Stein and your comments add to the civility of the discussion. Oh, and one more thing – Jesus was Jewish, just like you Mr. Stein.
