Every year,around this time, the argument over Christmas goes on. And every year it’s the same arguments: “There’s a war on Christmas!” and “The Christians are hogging all the holiday cheer!”. And every year the argument ends after Christmas and then all we care about is that you take down your decorations before Valentine’s Day. A Denver Post commenter pretty much nailed my attitude about this pointless arguing with this glorious rant (Her rant is condescending and rude to BOTH sides of the argument so if you lay heavily on either side, you’ll probably be offended):
Okay folks, this is getting a little silly. In the red corner we have the right wingers kvetching about the death of Christian morals and how those evil pinko commie socialist libs want the world to be PC and abolish God. In the blue corner we have a bunch of lefties kvetching about separation of church and state and the celebrating of a holiday that marks the supposed birthday of an ancient zombie. Could we please lighten up a little bit folks? It’s just a holiday. Can we all just enjoy some good food and our new Xboxes in peace? Atheists, leave the Christians alone. They aren’t holding a gun to your head telling you to accept Christ as your personal savior and I know you’re all capable of ignoring the evangelists with those great big scientific brains of yours. I promise Zombie Jesus is not trying to eat them. Christians, leave the Atheists alone. They aren’t holding a gun to your head demanding you say God doesn’t exist and I know you’re fully capable of cracking open your bible to a favorite passage and reading to ignore them. I promise Zombie Charles Darwin is not going to try to crack your cranium with a fossil to get at your brains.
Here’s the link to the argument that inspired this: Article Discussion: Larimer Sheriff touts politically incorrect tree-trimming party
Sitting at work at 5am, nothing is going on. Just washed down an alertness aid (200mg of pure caffeine) with some Mtn Dew. Watching Henry Poole Is Here which contains a depressed man, a sad six year old girl, a strong-willed Christian woman, a stain on a wall that may look like Jesus, and George Lopez as a priest.
The little girl touches the wall. After touching the wall, she does something she was unable or unwilling to do for an entire year:
She speaks.
This is a HUGE deal. A 6 year old girl who doesn’t speak for a year has something wrong with her. I know, I have a 5 year old girl who can hardly keep quiet for 5 minutes.
This touching scene (and probably the unhealthy amount of caffeine in my system) kicks off some poignant thoughts:
- Even though about 20% of the time my daughter speaks it’s to whine, complain or argue about something; I’d be devastated not to be able to hear her voice.
- I start thinking about the nature of faith and belief and I have an epiphany: Belief is the strongest force in the world.
The great thing about belief is that it doesn’t matter what it is you believe in. If you believe in something positive, you will live in a positive world. If you believe in something negative, you will live in a negative world. Your interpretation of your belief will decide whether you believe in something positive.
- Some peoples’ belief in the saving power of Jesus causes them to be more forgiving and help others.
- Others’ belief in the same power makes them bitter and suspicious of anyone who doesn’t show as much “belief” as them.
- There was a great goalie named Patrick who believed stepping on the blue line was bad luck. He never stepped on it and he was a better goalie because of it.
- There are those who lead better lives because they follow their horoscopes.
- Tarot cards help some see the world in a better light.
- Beards have won playoff games.
- Shaved heads have caught king crab.
- Unwashed socks have won championships.
I guess what I’m trying to say is…
Lacking belief will put you at the mercy of others. Having belief will give you better control of your world. So believe in something! Believe in anything! As long as that belief allows you to be a better person, believe!
Scott Pantall | December 4, 2009
