With Romney running for the GOP, the whole idea of a Mormon possibly holding office is certainly an issue for some Americans. To some, Mormonism is a cult and to others like journalists MSN's Lawrence O'Donnell (who tends to get a little hyperbolic at times) it is an organization rooted in racism and anti-American principles.
Another thing that perked my ears was how some during the campaign talk as if secularists are atheists. That secularism and atheism are forms of religion. They are not.
Whether secularism is rampant or not these days is a legitimate cause for debate and leads to this strange tidbit made on the McLoughlin Group by Newsweek columnist Eleonore Clift. I often find myself opposed to what she says but this one has me confused. It was a passing remark in which she asserted that she can't see how "changing merry Christmas to happy holidays isn't an assault on Christianity"
What is it then? It's a part of the Christian tradition and there is an attempt to eradicate all forms of Christian symbols by hordes of hyper sensitive secularists- all under the guise of ensuring secularism progresses and respect for other religions.
I'll tell you one thing, laugh if you will, but I find Pat Buchanan's insights and grip of American political history fascinating if not downright educational.
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article http://mormonsarechristian.blogspot.com/ helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity's comprehension of baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
ReplyDeleteThe Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) adheres more closely to First Century Christianity and the New Testament than any other denomination. For example, Harper’s Bible Dictionary entry on the Trinity says “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the New Testament.”
Perhaps the reason the pastors denigrate the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is to protect their flock (and their livelihood).
There really is no such thing as a "war on Christmas," which is massively lucrative and can defend itself with anything available on the open market. I assure you that this or any other government is unlikely to demand that private sector merchants use a nondenominational term for selling stuff; for one thing, most strip malls in my part of the country have something like a "Christian Outlet." My wife and I always like to joke that one can buy Christians cheaply there.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at a small photocopy shop owned by Pakistanis. They were Sunni Muslim, whereas I was (and am) an Episcopalian Christian. One manager was convinced that Christianity had the same role in the USA that Islam has in Pakistan, so he wanted blatantly Christian holiday greeting cards. My other manager (a naturalized US citizen, also Muslim) and I agreed that a commercial establishment has an ethical obligation to remain secular.
I totally agreed with Aziz that professionalism requires one to leave one's personal affiliations at the door, so as a patriotic US national and a Christian, I don't want crosses or US flags in my place of work. On behalf of both affinities, likewise, acting like they're normative lends itself to abuse and to hypocrisy.
I totally agree, James. However, what do you make of managers overtly instructing their employees to not say "Merry Christmas" as was the case around here?
ReplyDeleteChristian outlet? Oh do explain.