No religion wants its holidays reduced to a cash grab

The Rev. Shelly Strauss posed questions for “most” Christians regarding the Christmas season in her Dec. 19 letter “Christian Privilege.” Allow me to be spokesman for “most” (that is, Christians.

Christians could care less if government spent money decorating for other religious celebrations. Whether or not the government decides to decorate is of no importance to one who wishes to “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

Christians would tune the dial to another station if the station was playing music 24/7 that doesn’t “speak” to them. There are hundreds of stations to choose from.

Christians wouldn’t mind if banks, post offices, etc., closed for other religious holidays — easy adjustment.

Christians wouldn’t expect any employer to pay holiday wages the employer can’t or won’t pay for. Paid time off decisions should always be voluntary, left to the employer’s discretion.

Christians would “tune out” media ads if not relevant.

The Rev. Strauss’ statement that a billboard that mentions keeping Christ in Christmas is an attack on the First Amendment is curious, because the First Amendment is freedom speech, not speech.

Those wishing to secularize and commercialize their religion to be “equal” to Christianity — go for it!

If the Rev. Strauss thinks the hijacking of one’s religion for monetary gain is “privilege,” that is sad. When some shrewd marketing expert finds a way to profit from Jewish and/or Muslim holidays, these religious folk will get to enjoy the same “privilege” of having their holiday(s) reduced to nothing more than a cash grab. JONI BATCHEN

Monroeville

We welcome your opinion

founders did not write into the Constitution a clause that only Christianity could be worshiped in this country and that all other religions are unwelcome. That they didn’t shows divine intervention!

As Kris Kringle said in “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.”

As Christians, we must turn the other cheek to those who mockus and love those who hate us, as Jesus taught. It’s not easy to be a Christian. I guess that’s whatmakes it so wonderful! EMMETT FRESHWATER

Carnegie

The Rev. Shelly Strauss makes an excellent point about the “Christian Privilege” (Dec. 19 letters): It has become a kind of cultural mandate. Everyone is expected to celebrate Christmas, like it or not, simply because of Christianity’s historical majority status.

I’d like to add one thought. The disgusting commercialization of Christmas has transformed what used to be a sweet, gentle celebration into a huge set of commercial activities, the object of which is not to express love, but to enrich greedy merchants and to exploit shoppers who have been whipped into a buying frenzy. What used to be Christmas has been trampled under the feet of sellers and (often duped) buyers, whose intentions have no real relation to the supposed“reason for the season.”

What used to be lovely has become ugly. I endure it every year andam glad when it’s over. PAUL COX

Polish Hill

While sitting in church, I noticed one of the Gospel selections included Luke 3:10-18. In this section, John the Baptist is being questioned. “‘ What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’ Even tax collectors came to be baptized. ‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘ what should we do?’ ‘ Don’t collect any more than you are required to,’ he told them.”

Think about this. Be kind. Share. And if you are collecting taxes, don’t overdo it.

As I drove home, I thought of this new Republican tax bill. It made me remember Napoleon’s warning, “The purpose of religion is to keep the poor from killing the rich.”

With this tax plan, it is clear who will be burdened, and it won’tbe the filthy rich. Our country is out of balance. The rich are going to get so very rich. Republicanstell us, “It will trickle down.” The important word here is

Remember, unfair taxes since the days of Christ have plagued the middle class. Remember, too, if the poor get hungry enough they will rise up, religion or no. No one wants to be tricked.There is a way to find balance. If you have two shirts, you share with someone who has none.Simple. It’s in the Bible. KITTY LAGORIO

Peters