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12/19/2005: "Victim Envy"
Oh poor O’Reily, he wants so much to be oppressed. He must feel that he needs some external reason for his deep spiritual unhappiness. It could not be that his actions have been so detrimental to the health of the world and the country, no it must be that his enemies are oppressing him. His latest whine is that the “secular mafia” is fighting a “war on Christmas”.
Never mind that Christmas is so pervasive in our culture today that it is impossible to listen to the radio, watch television, go to a mall, drive down a street, or even use google without Christmas being the major theme. Please ignore that over 80% of all elected officials, judges, and high level appointed officials in the country are Christians. Never mind that Christmas is the only religious holiday that is a federal holiday. Don’t mention that the President of the United States and the Governor of Minnesota both light official “Christmas trees” on public land. Never mind that public schools still have Christmas concerts, secret santas etc.
Actually I have learned to live with this, as have most of the non-Christians in this country. I am no longer offended by Christmas trees, I even understand that this holiday brings joy and to the people I share my community with. As I have gotten older, I accept the Merry Christmas statements in the spirit I believe they are given. I have, in fact participated with other people from my Temple in volunteering in nursing homes and hospitals on Christmas and Christmas eve, to allow Christians who would otherwise have to work to spend the time with their families. We do this out of the spirit of love, brotherhood, sisterhood, and sharing. We also recognize that many people are inconvienced by the absence of me on some of the Jewish holiday that I observe.
It must be hard for white, wealthy, heterosexual, middle aged, American males to find something to be oppressed by. I mean what the hell do they have to be so angry about anyway. Could it be that it is just a cynical organizing tool? Is it possible that they have determined that keeping their religious base angry and feeling under attach keeps them in power? Please, someone give me another explanation, I got nothing here. Nothing else makes sense to me.
What it comes down to is this. Most of the American people seem to me to be reasonable, caring good folks. Most people are more than willing to share their world with people who’s skin color is different, who’s religion is not the same as theres, who’s sexual interests vary from their own. I believe that it is very intelligent, creative, people in power, who are manipulating people into believeing that these people are threats. That somehow someone else getting married threatens the “sanctity” of their marriage, that someone saying “Happy Holidays” is a war on Christmas. What is disheartening to me, but not so surprising, is that too many people buy into this.
I am not offended by two words, spoken in friendship, like “Merry Christmas”. I don’t really believe that most other people would be offended by a different two words like “Happy Holidays”, Salam Alekum, Alla Akbar, or “I do”.