Holiday Tree

This is in response to a forward that goes around this season, here is one version of it:

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time thisyear which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by h

im on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

First of all: not all of this is actually Ben Stein.

-----------------

My Reply:

Holiday Tree:
I don't think calling it a "Holiday" tree makes our country sound Atheist. (Although... what is wrong with being Atheist?) I think it makes our country sound diverse. However, personally I also think it should be called whatever the family who lives in the white house calls it. Then there is freedom for each future president to call it whatever it is that they celebrate.

Christmahaunakwanzika? Winter solstice? New years? Whatever!

Because our country is building itself on freedom and democracy. We should be able to vote even an Atheist president in without batting an eye. We aren't a Christian country. We are a free country, with separation of church and state.

Bible in Schools:
We don't teach the bible in our schools because of this separation, because the citizens of our country have the freedom to choose their religion. Children are still their own people. They are impressionable. What they learn about religion should be brought to them by their families, not our schools. After all, would you want to send your child to a public school who taught a religion different than your own? A Wicca school maybe? Or a Buddhist one? (Assuming, wrongfully, that you are neither of these... haha). Children who come from those homes should not be sent to a school that teaches Christianity, either.

Your children can learn about their religion at home and at church.

What do parents teach their kids anymore, anyway? How to be a pansy?

This of course, in response to "we reap what we sow."

Yes, we do reap what we sow.  But I don't think it has to do with not teaching the bible, specifically.

The bible does help. Its stories are violent, harsh, and scary. Its laws, punishments, and lessons are powerful, though often extreme and outdated.

Violent Kids:
Kids aren't not learning right from wrong because of worshiping celebrities, calling their tree a "holiday tree," or not being taught religion. It's not because no one spanks their kids anymore.

Kids aren't blowing each other up or growing up sadistic because of those things. Children NEED to be taught the consequences of violence. No I am not saying they need to be BEAT, necessarily. But have you really looked at kids stories these days? Have you parents watched the kids shows and movies lately?

Many moms have decided to pre-watch things and pre-read things for their kids... they are watching out for violence.

DEAR JESUS don't you dare let them watch Spider Man or Power Rangers or God forbid Ninja Turtles!

Do you remember the shit we watched as kids?

The good guys always kicked the ass of the bad guys. There were bad people who literally were just plain bad. Sure it isn't a complex dichotomy... but jeeze...

Do they even MAKE bad guys anymore????


The bible has stories where whole populations are burned to death as punishment.
Tom and Jerry used to obliterate each other.

Simba's father DIES because Scar kills him.

Ursula steals peoples souls and keeps them in a cove.

Car Face tries to kill Charlie.

Shredder is always doing terrible things.

The "bad" guy on despicable me... the one the whole movie is about... he tries to steal the moon. Really? AND on top of that we are on his side.

There is no bad on Regular Show except maybe Authority because they don't adhere to any rules...

The "bad" lady on Madagascar... that was a little gruesome, but she was portrayed as bad for wanting to kill wild animals running about.

Two things can come of this generation we are sowing:

1. Adults who do not know the consequences of violence and thus do not fear it.
2. Adults who do not know the consequences of violence and thus fear it tenfold.

Neither option would know how to react in case of violence. FREAK OUT or allow it.

That's just my opinion.

Celebrities:
Oh, and no one who is anyone gives a shit about celebrities. If they do, just be glad they are worrying about that and not in charge of anything super important.



Conclusion:
So though this fwd tried to send some sort of message about Christmas and stuff... I interpret it differently. I don't disagree  but I see so much more.