I guess our faith has been so secularized that we all forgot how to be Christians any more. Whom should we blame for this, the politicians who were voted to power in the name of God and who at the same time insist God should not be mentioned in public places, or do we blame business people who grasp every opportunity as if there will be no tomorrow, or the media saturated with Human Rights activists, if you know what I mean?

No; none of these bunch should be blamed, but the so called Christians themselves who have so cowed into a kind of step-child position in religious matters.

Earlier this December, I had series of conversations with friends and colleagues at my job that dealt with wide range of issues about the end of  2007, the hopes, visions and resolutions for 2008. There was consensus that December has always been a month of merriment. Both Christians, Jews, Muslims look forward to Christmas, Hanukah, Eid and Kwanza . However, what amazes me was the growing feeling of political correctness among many people who call themselves Christians. Many of these people keep saying “Happy Holidays” during the month of December. Why Happy Holidays instead of Happy Christmas? These Christians simply found it difficult to say “Happy Christmas”  I was shocked by the attitude of an African Christian who greeted me with Happy Holidays instead of  “Happy Christmas” although we worship at same church, she, like the rest of the people who toed the line of compliance, simply buckled.

Because of my feeling of depression about this matter, I decided to write a reflection on the issue. This moral and spiritual crisis I experienced is partly due to our violent encounter with modernity. Our modern World today has given rise to a number of challenges and difficulties to believers in metaphysics and religion. There is this ongoing struggle between modernity and tradition. Related to but slightly different from this contest of will between obedience to the powers of science and technology on the one hand, and fidelity to the wishes and ways of the ancestors, is the hegemony of secularism in the social and political languages of the leaders and the led in the modern West. Another source of tension which has entered the consciousness of the modern Western people is the primacy of political correctness and its impact in the way celebrations and festivities are organized and appreciated among the people.

During this month of religious festivities I have come to recognize and appreciate the fact that modern Americans celebrate four religious or ethnic holidays during this time. Christians look forward to their annual Christmas; Jews speak joyously in anticipation of Hanukah celebrations around this time; Muslims, due to certain convergence of calendars, are equally yearning for the arrival of Eid al-Kabir (Feast of Sacrifice); and Black Americans or African Americans also look forward to their annual Kwanza celebrations during the months of December and January.

What makes this period of celebrations interesting is the manner in which the four holidays assemble different branches of American society under one religious or ethnic roof? Christians take December 25 as the historically defining date that marked the birth of Jesus of Nazareth born in Bethlehem in ancient Israel under Roman rule. Believing him to be the Son of God and the Messiah of the Jews under Roman colonialism and imperialism, Christians have since taken this date seriously. Indeed, from the early times the Church fathers and leaders had selected the date and celebrated the birth and resurrection of Christ . Almost all Christians have followed the tradition. There are certainly some Christians such as the followers of the United Church of Christ who are dead opposed to the celebration, dismissing it as a pagan holiday without any biblical basis to justify it. Real or imagined, such notions have their historical antecedents and time and space do not allow us to dabble into such matters.

What I intend to argue here briefly is the impact of political correctness among most Americans today. This is particularly disturbing because it makes many of us political wimps when it comes to asserting Christian identity even in the celebrations of Christmas. As I have stated elsewhere in my submission on Christmas to the readers of the Nigerian Village just a few weeks ago, there are striking differences in my experiences of Christmas in my original homeland Nigeria and my adopted home in U. S. A.. Political secularists have made it impossible for Christian politicians to affirm unapologetically their Christian identity with Christmas. Becoming politically defensive about the question of separation of church and state, many of these politicians fumble clumsily whenever and wherever this event is concerned. Instead of saying “Happy Christmas” to their fellow Christians and others unsubscribed to Christianity, they keep on beating the drum of political conformity which echoes their mantra of “Happy Holiday.” Thinking and believing that the use of “Happy Christmas” in public discourse and within the public square could easily translate into the unintended dangling of the fearful sword of Damocles over the heads of frightened Jews afarid of christian domiance, the already browbeaten Muslims or aggressive atheists opposed to any thing religious, many Christians in America now conveniently take the safe way out in their use of holiday instead of Christmas. Chrisitian are becoming more and more submissive without any resistance to asssert their religious rights beofre these groups.

If we are going to make the Public Square safe for everyone during moments of holidays and festivities both the Christians and their counterparts in American society must hold on to their respective faiths without being aggressive towards other faith communities. Simultaneously, it is dangerous and unwise for Christians and their political leaders to be intimidated by political correctness to the point of being mute about the celebration of Christmas. This is the most obvious pangs of the modern American Christian who wishes to assert his or her claims over Christmas. As an African who had wonderful times celebrating Christmas in my African hometown many years ago, I now find it painful in America to say “Happy Christmas” even to fellow Africans in America.just to be looked upon as an alien  from a space station called Ship of Fools.

I refuse to accept the position of those who negate Christmas. You can look at me anyhow you want, be rest assured that I will keep saying Merry Christmas or Happy Easter in their due seasons. Captured in the net of modernity and secularism, many of us Christians are struggling between faith and doubt at this time. Political correctness now apparently serves as a bridge between American consumerism a la Madison Avenue and American religiosity as documented through the annual opinion polls. With such state of mind American Christians are becoming allergic to Christian over enthusiasm for Christ and the celebration of his birthday. I am not suggesting here that Christians outside of the U.S. are more faithful to Christ . To the contrary: I am simply saying that, trying to be not offensive to other American no-believers in Christ, they have become mute and less willing to dance with cheerful sounds for fear of the separation of church and state.

To solve this matter, I would say there is nothing wrong for a Christian to say “Happy Hanukah” to a Jew; “Happy Eid” to a Muslim and “Happy anything else” to whoever they met in the American society. What must be discouraged however, is the growing idea to replace “Happy Christmas with “Happy Holiday” in the name of political correctness. Hopefully, the growing dissatisfaction with the pangs of political correctness even in things such as religious celebration and festivities would change things. I look forward to happier days and urge Christians, Jews, Muslims and others in the world to create rooms in their hearts for all people to enjoy their celebrations without the slings and arrows of political non-offensiveness. .

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle6316=encodeURIComponent(Christianit...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.12.2007 11:30

Amy  Villager

# 2 Christians take December 25 as the historically defining date that marked the birth of Jesus of Nazareth born in Bethlehem in ancient Israel under Roman rule. Believing him to be the Son of God and the Messiah of the Jews under Roman colonialism and imperialism, Christians have since taken this date seriously. Indeed, from the early times the Church fathers and leaders had selected the date and celebrated the birth and resurrection of Christ . Almost all Christians have followed the tradition. There are certainly some Christians such as the followers of the United Church of Christ who are dead opposed to the celebration, dismissing it as a pagan holiday without any biblical basis to justify it. Real or imagined, such notions have their historical antecedents and time and space do not allow us to dabble into such matters. I will not be too quick at chastising the United Church of Christ on the grounds that their opposition to Christmas and all its trappings are not biblical if I were this author because the converse may just be the case here. I challenge the author to point to one single scripture in the holy bible that remotely alludes to Christmas, Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Christmas wreaths or Christmas lights as Christian practices? A critical look at the relentless consumerism and secularism associated with the season will reveal anything but Christ-likeness, if the truth be said. In fact, the glaring pagan origins of some of the so called Christmas practices will shock many. The problem is that many Christians are not interested in facts & origins and will rather join the bandwagon of holiday makers... period. While no one knows for sure when Christ was actually born, it is safe to authoritatively state that it certainly was not in December(winter) since the sheppards were tending to their flocks in the open fields when they had the angelic visitation announcing the birth of the Messiah. Besides, no where did the Master himself admonish that his birth be celebrated. If individuals of their own volution opt to be do, by all means but please do not make it seem like it is a God ordained mandate that attracts spiritual rewards of sorts. He asked that his death and resurrection be remembered through the breaking of bread, so all the Christmas trappings are simply sentimental depictions that lack biblical foundations. If the author is going to castigate anyone for deviating from biblical foundations, it most certainly should not be the few that stand on the word to reject the imposition of secularism in the name of festivity, gift exchanges and excessive merry making. Even in the US, many Christians did not celebrate Christmas as a christian holiday until the 19th century following Charles Dickens' Christmas carol and other Christmas classics. Bottom line, if the author chooses to maintain the Christmas greetings rather than compromise it's presumed christian flavor, by all means, but please, do not evoke biblical principles on that score as there are simply no biblical edicts whatsoever to reproduce that sanction Christmas as a christian requirement. Later o. Posted by Amy| 26.12.2007 17:04

Shoko Loko Bangoshe  Villager

# 3 From the article: To solve this matter, I would say there is nothing wrong for a Christian to say “Happy Hanukah” to a Jew; “Happy Eid” to a Muslim and “Happy anything else” to whoever they met in the American society. What must be discouraged however, is the growing idea to replace “Happy Christmas with “Happy Holiday” in the name of political correctness. An even simpler solution (and one that I use) is to not to wish anyone anything, unless you know for sure that they would appreciate your wishes (perhaps because you have seen them observe Christmas before). I certainly don't see the point in wishing a Muslim a merry Christmas if he doesn't celebrate it. Posted by Shoko Loko Bangoshe| 26.12.2007 17:12

Teajay  JJC

# 4 Its quite funny how we have all generally de-evolved into circular agreements. i must say that i quite agree with the writer. it is really depressing when eeven here in Naija i hear people saying 'Happy Holidays'! i mean must we copy everything American to the point where we just automatically regurgitate everything we hear on MTV and CNN? Come on! i was brought up in the 80s with the seasonal greeting of 'Merry Christmas' and even my muslim neighbours were not offfended as they expected us to say 'Happy Sallah' when their own festival was being celebrated. Well, times may have changed u may argue but like the ever conservative English who colonised us i will insist on saying 'Merry CHRISTmas' instead of 'Happy Holidays' and 'Father CHRISTmas' instead of 'Santa Claus'! Whether or not Jesus commnded us to, i also believe that Christmas is worth celebrating as a way of saying thank you to GOD for sending His son to die for us - the long promised Messiah (unless you are saying you are too hip not to be branded a CHRISTian!) please forgive me i f i sound holier-than-thou; truth is i am probably the worst kind of sinner there is! but CHRISTmas, like lent and Easter affords me that opprtunity to be close to God again, in this CHRISTless world! America is the greatest nation today cos it was founded on GOD (whether you believe it or not) and has prospered cos of her reverence for Him. its sad that i do not enjoy CHRISTmas like i used to as a kid. Growing up can be such a minus sometimes. I now totally understand when Jesus said that we have to be like little children to enter His kingdom. In conclusion, whether CHRIST was born on the 1st of March or 32nd of June i don't really care as long as i can have that one day to commemorate His birth wishing everyone i know a Merry CHRISTmas! MErry CHRISTmas!!! Posted by Teajay| 27.12.2007 09:25

overdryv  Villager

# 5 =Teajay;4294975625>Its quite funny how we have all generally de-evolved into circular agreements. i must say that i quite agree with the writer. it is really depressing when eeven here in Naija i hear people saying 'Happy Holidays'! i mean must we copy everything American to the point where we just automatically regurgitate everything we hear on MTV and CNN? Come on! i was brought up in the 80s with the seasonal greeting of 'Merry Christmas' and even my muslim neighbours were not offended as they expected us to say 'Happy Sallah' when their own festival was being celebrated, which we did. Well, times may have changed you may argue but like the ever conservative English who colonised us i will insist on saying 'Merry CHRISTmas' instead of 'Happy Holidays' and 'Father CHRISTmas' instead of 'Santa Claus'! Whether or not Jesus commanded us to, i also believe that CHRISTmas is worth celebrating as a way of saying thank you to GOD for sending His son to die for us - the long promised Messiah (unless you are saying you are too hip not to be branded a CHRISTian!) Its really how astonishing how centruries old traditions just die cos people are too lazy or scared to express their beliefs. please forgive me i f i sound holier-than-thou; truth is i am probably the worst kind of sinner there is! but CHRISTmas, like lent and Easter affords me that opprtunity to be close to God again, in this CHRISTless world! America is the greatest nation today cos it was founded on GOD (whether you believe it or not) and has prospered cos of her reverence for Him. its sad that i do not enjoy CHRISTmas like i used to as a kid. Growing up can be such a minus sometimes. I now totally understand when Jesus said that we have to be like little children to enter His kingdom. In conclusion, whether CHRIST was born on the 1st of March or 32nd of June i don't really care as long as i can have that one day to commemorate His birth wishing everyone i know a Merry CHRISTmas! MErry CHRISTmas!!! It'd take quite sometime before you wake up from your stupor induced sleep. People like have no business coming to NVS to spew out their ignorance. The difference between Happy Holidays and Happy Xmas is that of six and half dozen. A few years back, there was a massive riot in India over the celebration of Valentine. The Indians were annoyed that another western "nonsense" was about taking root in their country. But Nigeria, a directionless country swallows everything even the ones they have no knowledge of. Christmas is just a jamboree like the annual oscar award in Hollywood. It is all fanfare without substance. What is the need celebrating a phantom event that never took place? Is Christmas a form of worship of Jesus Christ? I doubt if Jesus would be happy whereever he is with all the waste and death associated with the event. Have nyz Christ mass next year! Posted by overdryv| 27.12.2007 16:40

tanibaba  Villager

# 6 Author, welcome to the age of Wisdom. Perhaps more christains in the western world are convinced that Jesus was not born on December 25. And to such people, the question will be is this really xmas or just another holiday. What is more whenever you greet people Happy Xmas do you ever consider the meaning. Perhaps you dont. And if your recipients understand the meaning and decide to respond the way they have done, perhaps it is communication problem. Thank God the western world is leading this change. If it was left to us perhaps it will take another decade given our follow follow mentality. It is amazing that in black africa some people see Islam as "the religion of the hausas" While some still regard every muslim "an arab" or an arab slave. It is funny how we think in black africa. Well happy holiday in arrears taslim Posted by tanibaba| 28.12.2007 07:20

draftman  Villager

# 7 It's amazing how the African just follow the europian religion like robot. All organise religion are vision of somebody, none of it is prove. The xtian are not even in agreement, that is why you have many version of xtianity. African will argue about somebody else religion and reject ours. I will never greet anyone merry Xmas, why should I wish you something I don't believe in, even though you believe in it, I am the one who is giving the wishes, you can chose not to answer. It is not in your bible(which has been rewritten by a man) to celebrate this so call birthday. Political correctness is not, fairness it is. There are many holidays in this time of the year, like the moslem Eid, new year, kwanza, hanukah, etc. xtian cannot monopolise this time of the year. Do not force your misguided on rest of us, your believe is just another continuation from your parent, not your own choosing. Have a nice HOLIDAYS Posted by draftman| 29.12.2007 16:34