War on Christmas Nonsense with Michael Reagan

Poor Michael Reagan. It must be tough for him to be so out of touch with society, as I've chronicled before. Now, he's at it again, buying into the war-on-Christmas nonsense, and adds a heaping helping of his own brand if idiocy to the mix.

"Christmas is once again upon us, and we can expect to witness countless new displays of the rampant secularization of what is meant to be a joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ."

Earth to Michael: Christmas stopped being about Jesus' birthday to much of America long ago. It was never actually Jesus' birthday anyway, which more likely occurred sometime in the fall or spring. Now it is mostly about presents, and general goodwill. but not for Michael Reagan, no sirree bob. It's his way or the highway:

"My fellow Christians should join me in pledging never again to shop in any commercial establishment where the clerks greet us with that 'Happy Holiday' greeting as an insult to our religious beliefs..."

This is yet another example of the black-and-white, for-us-or-against-us mentality prevalent among the protractedly pious. Not supporting them is ipso facto an attack against them. The idea of a neutral, or uninvolved party, is anathema to them. Poor Michael Reagan, time locked in the fantasy good-old-days, doesn't seem to understand that there are more views than Christian one's in late December, and "Happy Holidays" (first promoted by that left-wing radical Bing Crosby) covers them all while excluding no one.

Then again, when MR spells out his understanding of the relationship of Christianity and the US government, one can see the source of his confusion:

"We should never again vote for a candidate who does not recognize the right of Christians to have their sacred religious observances recognized by all levels of government, and who will not vigorously oppose all attempts to take Christ out of Christmas and Christmas out of the calendar."

Excuse me? Christians have a RIGHT to recognition by our government? Whence comes this right? In what government document does it appear? For someone who supports strict constructionist judges who don't "legislating from the bench" and "invent rights", Sr. Reagan sure doesn't have a problem doing so himself.

Let's review: Amendment 1 of the Constitution of the United States:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

It couldn't be more clear: not only do Christians not have any such right as MR envisions, but the government is strictly forbidden to act in that manner. Likewise, the government is also forbidden from taking Christ out of Christmas. Christians like Michael Reagan are free to have as much Christ in their Christmas as they like. They just can't force the 10-30% (depending on how the question is asked) who have a different religion, or none, to do the same if we choose not to. That sir, is freedom, and it applies to everyone, not just those that agree with you. Try it sometime.