Even after
the Christmas Season
John R. Houk
© December 31, 2011
I just finished reading
the Christmas message from the Patriot Post’s Mark Alexander. I realize this is
December 31 and the New Year will be upon us at midnight; however this is more
than a Christmas message. The message is a defense of Christianity as a
foundation for the USA’s existence both in government and culture.
Alexander begins with a
rebuke of taking the “Christ” out of Christmas with such sanitized greetings
such as “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Xmas”. Actually Alexander has a
clarification for the rebuke. On a Constitutional basis, corporations and
private business have the right to sanitize their portrayal of Christmas. This
is America, right? It is a Constitutional-First Amendment of Free Speech and
Religious Freedom to market commerce for a profit as long as there is no harm
intended for the Constitution. Of course it is the right of Christians to NOT spend their money at businesses that go out
of their way to diminish Christmas and Christianity.
Then Alexander assails the
U.S. government’s (Executive, Legislative
and Judiciary) bowing to Leftists that war on Christianity by forcing all
things Christian to be separate-ostracized from all public performance or
edifice. This part of Alexander’s essay is relevant all year long and not just
for the Christmas season. Read “Our Founders Were Forthright About Faith”
and support the right of Christians to be Christian even with involvement with
the Public Weal.
JRH 12/31/11
P.S.
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_____________________________
Our Founders Were Forthright About Faith
By Mark Alexander
December 22, 2011
America's Christian
Heritage v Season's PC
"The Commander in Chief directs that divine
Service be performed every Sunday at 11 oClock in those Brigades to which there
are Chaplains; those which have none to attend the places of worship nearest to
them. It is expected that Officers of all Ranks will by their attendence set an
Example to their men. While we are zealously performing the duties of good
Citizens and soldiers we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher
duties of Religion. To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our
highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of Christian. The signal
Instances of providential Goodness which we have experienced and which have now
almost crowned our labours with complete Success, demand from us in a peculiar
manner the warmest returns of Gratitude and Piety to the Supreme Author of all
Good." --George Washington, General Orders, (May 2nd, 1778)
Each year, our family
observes with due respect and reverence six national historic days of
recognition: Patriots Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
However, the most hallowed
religious observance for our family -- that with the most deeply rooted
traditions, is Christmas. It is not a commercial feeding frenzy for us, but a
quiet and reverent time of rest and celebration of the birth of Christ,
punctuated by extended family festivities.
Unfortunately there is a
perennial societal tension now associated with Christmas. If not for its dire
implications for the future of Liberty, the seasonal contortions over
"non-offensive greetings" would be humorous. The Left insists the
word "Christmas" violates the phony "Wall of Separation" doctrine
if a government employee deigns to utter it within earshot, and that it is too
ethnocentric for corporate use.
Some years ago, The
Patriot Post coined the greeting "Happy Christmahanakwamadan." We did
so in response to the fashionable PC crowd's ludicrous demands for
"inclusive faith neutral" greetings. We also published our legal department disclaimer
outlining the terms of acceptance for the greeting as a counterpoint to
retailers vying for your business who have instituted policies discouraging
or outright prohibiting any mention of "Christmas." We
do not challenge private sector employer's right to dictate corporate policies
on such matters.
However, the ongoing
campaign to censor Christmas from public forums is another matter.
For example, this year
there were disturbing new guidelines advising members of Congress and
government employees that it would be unethical and even illegal to use specific
religious greetings in conversation and correspondence with constituents and
service recipients. While Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell recorded his rejection of those
guidelines, this is an ominous development and foreboding precedent.
Ironically, it's often
these same censors who take shortcuts such as wishing folks "Happy
Holidays" or "Merry Xmas." Perhaps they're unaware that the word
holiday is derived from "Holy Day," and that Xmas is derived from
combining the Greek letter "chi," denoting "Christ," with
the Old English word for "Mass."
Meanwhile, over in the
Executive Branch, Barack Hussein Obama recently found Jesus when
dedicating the 60-foot-tall 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree. Of course, this was
only in response to polls indicating that Christians give Obama his lowest job
approval ratings. Turns out that Jesus Christ is conspicuously absent from the
Capitol Christmas Tree in the form of any ornaments. The tree is adorned,
however, with prominently placed handmade ornaments paying adoring tribute to
Obama. When our colleagues at Media Research Center inquired about the lack of
Christian ornaments, the Architect of the Capitol office responded, "There
may be ornaments like those you describe near the top of the tree, or they
could have been obscured or moved due to wind or weather."
No question there is a lot
of "wind" around the White House these days.
For the record, civilian
Inspectors General and military JAGs cause a lot of heartburn for millions of
government and military personnel, who must constantly check their comments
because they will lose jobs or advancements in rank because of any public
remark that might be construed to advocate a particular theological viewpoint.
However, there is no basis in our authentic Constitution for such stringent
expurgation, and that would be the same venerable document that outlines the
Liberties both civilian and military government employs pledge to "support and defend."
Our Founders, the framers
of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, had no such concerns about
public expressions of faith, as none was warranted. Conversely, they were bold
about promoting Christianity and speaking about their own faith.
Historian Peter Lillback,
author of "Sacred Fire," an exhaustive scholarly treatise on George
Washington, notes that it is only in recent years, with the searchable digital
publication of our Founders' writings, that we get an accurate picture of their
faith, and expression of same.
Lillback writes,
"Washington referred to himself frequently using the words 'ardent,'
'fervent,' 'pious,' and 'devout.' There are over one hundred different prayers
composed and written by Washington in his own hand. He described himself as one
of the deepest men of faith of his day when he confessed to a clergyman, 'No
Man has a more perfect Reliance on the alwise, and powerful dispensations of
the Supreme Being than I have nor thinks his aid more necessary.' Although he
never once used the word 'Deist' in his voluminous writings, he often mentioned
religion, Christianity, and the Gospel. He spoke of Christ as 'the divine
Author of our blessed religion.' He wrote of 'the blessed religion revealed in
the Word of God.' He encouraged seekers to learn 'the religion of Jesus
Christ.' He even said to his soldiers, 'To the distinguished Character of
Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character
of Christian.'"
Believe it or not, Washington
did not need to consult pollsters or focus groups, as General or President,
before issuing proclamations of faith. He spoke them from his heart, just as
most of our Founders did.
Here follows, in
alphabetical order, a small sample of how other notable Founders expressed
their faith.
John Adams: The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence
were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed,
and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal
and immutable as the existence and attributes of God. ... The Christian
religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient
or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.
Samuel Adams: I [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.
... I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating
the Supreme Ruler of the world ... bringing in the holy and happy period when
the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established,
and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace.
... We may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free pardon
through Jesus Christ, supplicating His Divine aid ... [and] above all to cause
the religion of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, to spread far and wide till
the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.
John Hancock: That the spiritual kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be
continually increasing until the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.
Patrick Henry: Being a Christian ... is a character which I prize far above all
this world has or can boast. ... The Bible is a book worth more than all the
other books that were ever printed. ... This is all the inheritance I can give
to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one, which will make
them rich indeed.
John Jay:
Condescend, merciful Father! to grant as far as proper these imperfect
petitions, to accept these inadequate thanksgivings, and to pardon whatever of
sin hath mingled in them for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and
Savior; unto Whom, with Thee, and the blessed Spirit, ever one God, be rendered
all honor and glory, now and forever. ... The Bible is the best of all books,
for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and
in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its
precepts. ... Providence has given to
our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the
privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians
for their rulers.
Thomas Jefferson: I am a
Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached
to His doctrines in preference to all others. ... I am a real Christian -- that
is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
James Madison: I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in
favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and
manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and
[who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their
unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ.
I saved my favorite quote
on Christmas for last: "How many observe Christ's birth-day! How few, his
precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments." --Benjamin Franklin (1743)
My point in listing these
snippets of wisdom from our Founders is to make the case plain that the Left's
proscription on the expression of faith, censorship that is antithetical to the
very existence of our Constitution and Liberty, will not cease until such
expressions have been expelled from all public venues and forums. Then, and only
then, can the rule of men fully supersede the Rule of Law.
Please join our team in
prayer for our uniformed Patriot Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines serving in
places far away, and especially for the families enduring their absence, so
that we might once again celebrate Christmas as a free people.
As always, on behalf of
our staff and National Advisory Committee, I am
humbled to stand with you among the ranks of our Patriot countrymen. We wish
peace and God's blessing upon you and your family.
Happy Holy Days and Merry
Christ's Mass! And in keeping with the spirit of this season, remember that
attitude is a reflection of gratitude -- a grateful heart leads to a joyful
spirit!
P.S. If you have not
already done so, please take a moment to support our 2011
Year-End Campaign today by making a contribution -- however
large or small. If you prefer to support us by mail, please use our printable donor form.
__________________________
Christians Keep
Fighting for your Rights
Even after the
Christmas Season
John R. Houk
© December 31, 2011
_______________________
Our Founders Were
Forthright About Faith
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