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The Religious Right's War on Christmas Began Centuries Ago
As journalist Frederick Clarkson observes, proclamations from Bill O'Reilly, claiming the existence of a leftist assault on Christmas, are "part of a transcendent politics of the Religious Right, and a variant of that old time McCarthism -- baiting everyone with whom they disagree as advocating a 'godless' agenda." Indeed, Billy James Hargis' Christian Crusade was making the same chargesm of a left-wing 'war on Christmas', back in 1960 and much earlier in the year -- in July in fact.
But how did the "War on Christmas", as a concept, originate ? As it happens, once upon a time there was a real "War on Christmas" and it was initiated by the theocratic Christian right of its day, Swiss Calvinists and Scottish Presbyterians. Here's a short overview:
The "war on Christmas" traces back, historically, to Calvinist bans on the celebration of Christmas which began in Geneva and then migrated, with the spread of Calvinist theological views, to Scotland, where Christmas was banned in 1583, a ban that remained in force for almost four hundred years and was only lifted in the 1950's. As Amy McNeese writes, in an article, first published in the Church of Scotland magazine Life & Work,that may be one of the best treatments of the War on Christmas.
"For almost 400 years, Christmas was banned in Scotland. At the height of the Reformation, in 1583, when anything smacking of Catholicism and idolatrous excess was thrown out with contempt, Christmas and all its trappings was wiped off the official calendar...
...Reinforced by the hard arm of the law, this was a ban that had bite...
This was an age when religious belief could mean the difference between life and a very nasty death....
Scottish Presbyterians, when called on for support by the Puritans of the English Parliament in 1644, did so on the understanding that their allies would in exchange impose the ban on Christmas. For over a decade traditional English Christmas festivities were prohibited
From Scotland, the ban on Christmas spread south as Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army brought the Cromwellian revolution to England. Cromwell's Puritans banned Christmas in England for about a decade but the measure was unpopular. Feelings among pro and anti Christmas advocates ran strong and, after a second enforcement act against Christmas was passed by the English Parliament in 1647 [writes McNeese],
Again the people rebelled, this time so forcefully that armed officers had to be sent to remove evergreens decorating St Margaret's Church, near the English Parliament itself. Rioting broke out in London, Kent, Oxford, Canterbury and Ipswich, in which several people were killed. A petition with more than 10,000 signatures demanded either the restoration of Christmas or else the king back on the throne...
Even after the bans were revoked in England in 1660, Puritans and other Non-Conformists "ranted against Anti-Christ's-masse and those Masse-mongers and Papists who observe it", and were commonly known to "inveigh against New Year gifts and evergreens, or to attack the Pope by refusing to eat plum-broth; or to condemn those who ate mince-pies as Papists and idolaters"....
These attitudes were carried to the New World by English Puritans, Quakers, Baptists and Scottish Presbyterians. In America, reprisals were as harsh here as back in Scotland. In Massachusetts a five-shilling penalty was imposed on anyone found feasting or shirking work on Christmas Day...
A hundred years later the Quakers were still ranting against the Christmas pie as "an invention of the scarlet whore of Babylon, an hodge podge of superstition, Popery, the Devil and all his works".
From England the War on Christmas then crossed the Atlantic to the New World migrating with the Puritans who were fleeing the persecution of their political and theological tendency that followed the overthrow of Cromwellian government. Under Puritan rule in the Bay State Colony, Christmas was at one point legally banned for two decades.
Christmas fared worse in Scotland though and was only brought back after four centuries, in part due to the culinary experiences of Scottish soldiers during World War Two. As McNeese describes,
Abroad and in the company of English soldiers, many Scots experienced their first proper Christmas dinner. Once tasted, it was never forgotten. On their return home, these servicemen began to celebrate the festival with some style, and gradually their ideas took root.
Early in the 20th Century in America, the notion of a "war on Christmas", which had long been on the wane, got a boost, as Talk To Action contributor Chip Berlet demonstrates, in 1921 with Henry Ford's notorious and highly influential anti-Jewish tract "The International Jew".
By the America of the early 1960's, American Christian right groups such as Billy James Hargis' Christian Crusade, which was at least heavily Christian nationalist if not overtly theocratic, had appropriated the notion of a "war ion Christmas" as a means of red-baiting the American left ( see section, below ). But the true, historical War on Christmas was a creation of the Protestant, theocratic right.
According To Billy James Hargis' 1960 "Crusader" article [below], published during dark days leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis, during which communism was held to be stealthily advancing via liberal Protestant churches and the machinations of Hallmark Greeting Cards and UNICEF, Christmas was also then under siege from the left. But in 1960, the religious right's war on the alleged war on Christmas got started much earlier in the season than is now customary.
In 1960, the war on the war on Christmas started in July.
Below: December 9, 1960 article from "The Crusader"
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Proves one thing: Christmas isn't a holiday. Christmas is a political football.
Just wondering how many commenters have done what St. Nicholas did for Christmas? He gave gold coins to beggars, i.e., St. Nick threw a bag of coins into a window for a widowed woman with a child.
I have not thrown a bag of coins through anybody's window.
"Just wondering how many commenters have done what St. Nicholas did for Christmas? He gave gold coins to beggars, i.e., St. Nick threw a bag of coins into a window for a widowed woman with a child."
*"I have not thrown a bag of coins through anybody's window."
_______________________
Never too late to take up a hobby - and yer aim gets better the more you practice!
I think the UK owes us a beer for taking the Puritans off their hands in the first place. Couldn't we have imported Lady Charlotte Stanley instead?
Happy Birthday, Yeshua! May people love you more than they love to argue.
Snooze, pagan witch.
Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is for Bush to step aside and to have Barack and family in the White House.
But, no, that is not quite enough. I also want a world that is populated with folks who mind their own "busy-ness" and revel in their own sacred traditions without feeling that they have to criticize or condemn others. For too long we humans have spent WAAAAAY too much energy, time, money and attention to waging wars of the heart and actual wars of Shock and Awe, all in the name of our religions. Sure has screwed things up, if you ask me. Of course, it never really IS about religion, but rather power and control of resources.
What I really, really, really want for Christmas or Hannukah or Ramadan or Diwali is a world of worthy people who do good work, who care about ALL of their sisters and brothers and who find a way to walk more lightly on this sacred earth and spread more joy than sorrow.
Thank you, Santa. I've been a REALLY good girl this year and so this should not be too much to ask for. Cookies and eggnog will be left next to the fireplace.
Yours,
Ann in Lake Oswego :>)
Though I don't usually celebrate Christmas in any great fashion, this year I'm going to make sure the menu includes plum-broth and mince pies, just to piss off any "papists" out there. I suppose I could also PO any historically-minded Scottish Presbyterians, by eschewing evergreen branches, so I think I'll throw in their absence, as well.
The lesson is well-taken: both the celebration of Christmas, and the lack of its celebration, have rubbed both Christians and non-Christians raw with rage, over the past few hundred years.
History shows well and truly what fools we mortals be; with our pointed celebration of celebrations, and the dire insults we take, from those with any views that counter our own. Not that long ago, it seems, we Christians were as bad with our factions as the Shias and Sunnis are today. It ill becomes us to preach at them from soapboxes. Especially when we still have our own shouting factions.
I firmly believe that people need to have their noses rubbed in their faults, before they will acknowledge them, and start mending. Therefore I'll do whatever I can to insult any and all "faith-based" views of reality, in the fond hope of a more rational future.
That's my New-Year's Resolution -- until someone points out that Jan 1 is just a day on a calendar, that is.
VERY well put LoisLane 51! I for one believe in the seperation of Church & State,it's a written part of the foundation of our government.We are also allowed to worship{or not} as we please.I was raised Catholic but dhose to worship as a Christian in many different Protestant & non-denominational Churches.A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING & JOYFUL
A joyful whatsit
So what's the deal? Who's is for it and who aint?
Ain't nobody here but us chickens
Thank you Mr. Wilson for this pre-Christmas message and how the right really is taking all of the ramblings against the celebration and even mention of "Christmas" to the podium out of proportion.
Would they be but more concerned regarding the plight of the poor and homeless - what our forefathers REALLY meant by remembering the day - than those that want to avoid it. Ignore them - the day is part of our religious rights in our Constitution.
December 25th - Pronounced as the day to worship Sol Invictus by the Emperor of Rome.
Sol Invictus (unconquered sun).
Dec 25 was usurped from earlier pagan worship by the Romans and I am sure we are all appropriately thankful to Constantine for declaring Sols day to be a day of rest.
(dies Solis—day of the sun = Sunday)
Somewhere the Roman g_ds (and all before them) laugh to know how many now follow their pagan calendar....and use their sacred days for their own benefit.
Any excuse for a good time should never be tossed aside.
On top of that, Jesus was born in September.
Guess we'll all find out in the end, won't we?
If Christians are wrong, they've got nothing to lose.
If Christians are right, they've got everything to gain.
I read so much anger in the posts of non-believers. They all sound so miserable.
As a believer, I don't feel angry or offended by their words. Just sadness for their angst.
Take away the Christmas celebration, the traditions, the music...but, Christians would continue to celebrate in their hearts and homes. They'd also continue the massive amounts of charitable work they do all year every year...all in the name of Christ.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Dear LoisLane51,
I feel that at least some of the "angst" you speak of comes from the Christian and religious communities relentless efforts to recrute new members (spread the good news) and demonize or belittle those that don't believe or just don't want to participate by saying things like "we'll be praying for you anyway."
However, the religious community does do many humanitarian and charitable works that deserve praise and finacial support. But the secular community also contributes in the same ways and I feel would fill the void were the religious organizations not doing so.
Happy Holidays!
Blah, blah, blah, "Pascal's Wager," whatever. [rolls eyes]
Sorry, LoisLane51, I have to seriously question your salvation. Christianity is not, and should never be, a betting matter.
You sound just like my evangelical Christian mom, focusing on everyone else's unhappinesses so she doesn't have to face her own.
If Christians are wrong and Muslims are right, they have a lot to lose.
Please celebrate the birth of your Savior. Don't make me join in the celebration or pay for it.
Oh, the terrible angst of not sharing your delusional belief in a mythical being! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Yes, yes, Pascal's Wager. Well, I'll tell you what. Maybe I should hedge my bets and believe in all of the 1000s of gods. The silliness of what you say grounded in the conceited notion that if it isn't your definition of god, then there's no god so there's nothing to lose. All the while your "church" is eroding while the Muslim religion is the fastest growing. And all of it absolute nonsense--an invention of the few to control the many.
The republican neo con right wing christian leaders know they have to constantly provide someone for their base to be angry at and to hate, or else they might notice what they are doing to them. So they keep bringing up the tired old hate issues year after year. They are attacking us type crap. Most of the people in this country are christian, Most celebrate the traditional American Christmas. The numbers of people that don't are very very small in comparison. But the right wing talking heads keep spewing propaganda about how powerful pinko commie left wing evil doers are taking over. They say Happy holidays instead of merry Christmas ACK another attack. Maybe the stores, people, whomever says Happy holidays are trying to include everyone no matter what or when they celebrate this season. At least it isn't banned as it was when those wonderful first Christians to come here controlled the government. The biggest beneficiaries of all the holiday seasons now are the oil companies and the retail stores i.e. the middle east and China where they don't celebrate Christmas at all and would probably lock you up if you were to try. If you will notice Oil prices have already started to rise again in anticipation.
I'm Pagan, and I can tell you that none of the Pagans I know even pay attention to this argument. Since we celebrate Yule at the same time of year, and others celebrate thier cultural holidays as well, we tend to be big on wishing people Happy Holidays. Most of us don't mind when someone says Merry Christmas to us. No matter what you celebrate(or don't) the whole point of this season is supposed to be universal love for your brothers(all of them, not just the ones you like, or believe the same as you), and peace on Earth.
I see people wearing bracelets and necklaces with WWJD on them. What WOULD Jesus do?" Would he condemn others for the way they wish others good cheer, regardless of the words? Would he spend his time getting angry over it all, or would he accept the love and peace that those others offered?
Stop finding fault and find peace in your own heart to understand where others are coming from. Realize that others have the same rights you do, and be glad.When you restrict rights, you open the door to having your own rights restricted. When you complain about someone saying Happy Holidays to you, how long before someone loses thier job for saying anything at all, besides " Have a nice day"?
It seems to me the best way to handle this rediculous argumant, is to stop being the ones to argue. Is that so hard?
I am thankful to be alive.
Actually, it can be complex. The original Greek language from which comes the popular Linus version of the Gospels (KJV) is not 'Peace on Earth, good will toward men', but rather something closer to 'peace on earth to those who do God's will', or 'to those in whom God's favor rests'. There was in the NT on one hand a universal 'God so loved the world' and 'God desires all to be saved', and on the other hand 'don't think I [Jesus] have come to bring peace on earth, but rather a sword.' The problem with so many today is we are desperate for one very noble and just desire (that all could live in peace) while dismissing the other, ugly fact of human history (and no doubt, human future), that people at the end of the day - won't live in peace. The 'war on Christmas' is a media driven exploitation of the fact that while most could care less, there are those who hate religion in general - Christianity in particular - and are trying not only to eliminate any government endorsement of religion, but any free and open practice of a belief and tradition they despise. So on one hand, silly old controversy. On another, very real and frightening reminder that while humans come and go, stupidity and evil live on.
In trying to understand the conservative movement, it seems to me that their basic founding fundamental philosophy is that anyone who is struggling financially is basically a lazy slob that wants to do nothing but sit around and collect welfare and has no one else but themselves to blame, especially if they are some sort of minority. Which, by the way, is a difficult philosophy to win an election on when you are heading into at least a very difficult recession or Depression when millions of hardworking people are being financially clubbed to death. Those struggling people dont really view themselves in such a manner. To me, this invented "war on Christmas" serves a psychological need of the conservatives to demonize "those people" in order to justify their bigoted and judgmental attitudes towards them. I guess the thought process is that if "those people" would just be religious then the economic problems would go away.
I could be wrong but there is a price to be paid when letting people like Limbaugh, O'reily, Hannity, etc. be the representatives for a movement. The movement could end up getting a black eye and be tagged for something it may not be, or maybe it's tagged for what it is. It's time for others in the movement to step forward or forever be tagged.
Thanks for the backround. Love that Cromwell reference. I always knew O'Liely was full of baloney; this cinches it.
Love for someone to ask him about Cromwell, tho.
All of our current "world religions" -- explaining the origin of the universe, listing attributes of morality, promising some version of afterlife, promoting an exclusive path to celebration, etc. -- have problems with HISTORY (change in tthem v. the timeless, transcendental, universal values they embody) and POLITICS (their status in particular political contexts) and CULTURE (bringing with them culture from their origin or adapting to the culture of where they spread).
Judaism continues to deal with its exclusivist origins, the Diaspora, and how it survives worldwide and with regard to Israel as a "Jewish state." Christianity deals with its relocation from the Middle East/evolution from Jewish sect to Europe to world religion, its basis on Free Choice, and its links to political establishments. Islam deals with its stated ties to Judaism and Christianity ("peoples of the book"), its exclusivity in a different sense as the true faith, and its origins in the Arabic/patriarchal world that conflict with theological equality of social groups and men/women in the Koran.
Democrat that I am, and a staunch one, leave my MERRY CHRISTMAS ALONE. I enjoy it, I celebrate it, and was devastated when the Christmas tree was removed from the State buiding where I am employed because it may "offend" someone. It is obscene to force everyone's ideas on everyone. We are all different, we all have our own minds, our own beliefs. But please, do not PUSH your agendas down my throat and find the most ignorant excuses to justify them. It is wrong. No one tells an atheist what to believe or not to believe, so do not knock JESUS CHRIST, HE does not like that. JESUS forces HIMSELFon no one so get over it already. Read the CONSTITUTION, PEOPLE. I'm sure George W. Bush has a copy in his garbage can.
Excuse me, but you are shoving your beliefs down my throat. It's OK until the government endorses it.
Please read the Constitution yourself. It allows each of us to believe or not believe in our own way and prohibits the government from endorsing any religion.
There's nothing Christian about Christmas trees, therefore they should not be removed from government buildings.
OTOH, government-sponsored holiday observances are not "your" Christmas. Your Christmas is held in your home.
A shredded copy.
You know what offends me about Xmas trees the fact that they killed a tree for a brief decoration. But anyway to be offended is to be arrogant and selfish. But Christmas trees c'mon. They're silly and we could use those resources better. But then again we aren't know for being efficient are we?
"JESUS forces HIMSELFon no one so get over it already."
No. Christians do a great job of that themselves.
At least he doesn't force himself into comics like the mighty Thor.
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