Happy Holidays!
Not sure why I'm posting this, seeing as how I've already wished Happy Holidays to the 3 or 4 people that actually read my blog. But Happy Holidays nonetheless!
Which brings me to something a little un-pc. I'm a Buddhist. I grew up only knowing that Christmas was an excuse for gift giving. But hey, I loved the traditions - the tree, the days off, the holiday cheer, eggnog latte (ok - that's a recent heavy on the calories tradition for me), Charlie Brown christmas, etc. However, I am not and was not ever Christian. No knocking proper god-fearing folk, but I'm just into the pageantry and not really the basis of it.
Now, my wife told me that some people had issue with her workplace putting up a Christmas Tree. They felt it insulting to those who do not celebrate the day that signfies the birth of Christ. They feel that the workplace is no place to force upon the non-Christian workers the Christian beliefs of the owners. How dare they force upon the workers such an offensive and disrespectful sign of Christmas such as a tree.
I'm sorry, but I have to say it. What the FUCK people?!
Let me get this out of the way first (disclaimer for the sensitive folk who haven't seen me or know me - and think I'm some sort of redneck from the Ozarks): I love all people, no matter religion, ethnicity, class, sex, sexual orientation, etc. I just have an opinion that I don't think should be shaped by other people's anger or attempts at political correctness. And those who know me, know that I'm a proper "I think gays can marry Iraq was a mistake pro choice" liberal Asian-American.
But that doesn't mean I'm PC. I mean, I'm not a big fan of bible banging either - but there's nothing wrong with a Christmas tree. Its not like there's a huge statue of Jesus smiling down upon them as they walk into work. Its not like everyone has to kneel down and pray at a set time of the day. And its not like they have to yell "AMEN" after every sentence that the CEO says.
Its just a symbol of holiday cheer. There's nothing wrong with it. Its part of the thread of our culture - whether we like it or not. I grew up with a christmas tree which represented a time of year where people did good deeds, where giving was more important than taking, and when families got together to celebrate another year of good memories, no matter what misfortunes the year brought.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not a fan of evangelizing to the point of suffocation. But I argue that the creed of political correctness is more suffocating and more demoralizing to our culture and society than any symbol of holiday cheer. PCness makes people try to satisfy everyone - not only the majority but the minority as well. And as I've learned - when you try to please everyone, you please noone.
Don't mistake tolerance for sterilization.
So please, let me have my christmas tree - even though I believe that my kharma might lead me to be a Dung Beetle after I die. I love the this time of year - let me be in my un-pc eggnog stupor.
Which brings me to something a little un-pc. I'm a Buddhist. I grew up only knowing that Christmas was an excuse for gift giving. But hey, I loved the traditions - the tree, the days off, the holiday cheer, eggnog latte (ok - that's a recent heavy on the calories tradition for me), Charlie Brown christmas, etc. However, I am not and was not ever Christian. No knocking proper god-fearing folk, but I'm just into the pageantry and not really the basis of it.
Now, my wife told me that some people had issue with her workplace putting up a Christmas Tree. They felt it insulting to those who do not celebrate the day that signfies the birth of Christ. They feel that the workplace is no place to force upon the non-Christian workers the Christian beliefs of the owners. How dare they force upon the workers such an offensive and disrespectful sign of Christmas such as a tree.
I'm sorry, but I have to say it. What the FUCK people?!
Let me get this out of the way first (disclaimer for the sensitive folk who haven't seen me or know me - and think I'm some sort of redneck from the Ozarks): I love all people, no matter religion, ethnicity, class, sex, sexual orientation, etc. I just have an opinion that I don't think should be shaped by other people's anger or attempts at political correctness. And those who know me, know that I'm a proper "I think gays can marry Iraq was a mistake pro choice" liberal Asian-American.
But that doesn't mean I'm PC. I mean, I'm not a big fan of bible banging either - but there's nothing wrong with a Christmas tree. Its not like there's a huge statue of Jesus smiling down upon them as they walk into work. Its not like everyone has to kneel down and pray at a set time of the day. And its not like they have to yell "AMEN" after every sentence that the CEO says.
Its just a symbol of holiday cheer. There's nothing wrong with it. Its part of the thread of our culture - whether we like it or not. I grew up with a christmas tree which represented a time of year where people did good deeds, where giving was more important than taking, and when families got together to celebrate another year of good memories, no matter what misfortunes the year brought.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not a fan of evangelizing to the point of suffocation. But I argue that the creed of political correctness is more suffocating and more demoralizing to our culture and society than any symbol of holiday cheer. PCness makes people try to satisfy everyone - not only the majority but the minority as well. And as I've learned - when you try to please everyone, you please noone.
Don't mistake tolerance for sterilization.
So please, let me have my christmas tree - even though I believe that my kharma might lead me to be a Dung Beetle after I die. I love the this time of year - let me be in my un-pc eggnog stupor.
posted by Richard at 3:30 PM
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