|
|
| GreenViews
Xmas Wars: Secularists 3, Christians 1, Pagans shut out, altogether? |
|
| Grinchy December Wars By Christa Landon America is a capitalist country, and such a Every year, right after the Halloween Hell House Hatefest, the season rolls 'round and the Grinches hold their annual gripefest. Charles Halff hates Christmas! He argues that Christmas is a Pagan holiday, of this world, and Roman Catholic. He correctly points out that even the gift-giving on Dec. 25 is of Pagan origin. He claims that Biblical doctrine forbids celebrating Christmas. And of course, he objects to the celebration of Jesus' birth on Dec. 25 because scholars generally agree that Jesus wasn't born on that date. (2006, www.sovereigngrace.net) One might call him the Ubergrinch! Most Christians don't go that far in their prosecution of
the annual Christmas wars. They mostly complain that
modern American Christmas is more about Kris Kringle than
about the Kristkindle. They fulminate about the
fact that Christmas is too much fun. But there are other, postmodern Grinches too! They want to take the Christ out of Christmas because they are concerned about separation of church and state. Creches at the court house imply that Christianity is normative in the US. Such public displays intimidate minorities, including the 14% of the American populace who are atheists and agnostic (not to mention the Buddhists, Ba'Hais, and born-again and again Pagans). Some
Secular Humanists argue that the only fair alternative would
be the establishment of the highest common denominator by
removal of sectarian symbols from the public sphere.
Acceptable public displays would include Santa, gifts, candy
canes, but not creches, menorrahs, biblical quotations, or
most Christmas carols. Many atheists and agnostics argue that if ONE religious symbol is displayed in public space, then ALL must be permitted. As a polytheist, this makes perfect sense to me. Naturally, pluralism this still offends those who want freedom of religion only for those who follow Christianity. Ed Iverson
is a classic Grinch. He argues that if the secular
humanists aren't stopped, it will be "Always winter but
never Christmas." In his mythos, the secular humanists
are playing the role of Chesterton's White Witch. While he
acknowledges that evergreen trees were sacred to Pagan
winter solstice celebrations, he warns that Christmas trees
may soon be banned because they now symbolize the unending
life that broke in upon this wintry earth with the birth of
the Christ-child. Mr. Iverson, and company:
Christmas is in no danger from secular forces. However, Christmas HAS been banned many times by
Christians, for religious reasons. The Puritans
banned Christmas for everyone by force of law. The
Jehovah's Witnesses still do among their own. Early
Christians opposed celebrating ANYONE'S birthday, because
such celebration is a Pagan custom.
In the Dark Ages, Pope Gregory cleverly ordered Christian
missionaries to adopt and reframe any Pagan traditions
which the people would not forsake. This strategy worked
to create a nominally Christian Europe which cherished
some embarrassingly fictitious saints, and most old
Christmas traditions which cannot be found in the Gospel
of Luke.
Every
year the Christmas wars recur, as an opportunity for the
Grinchly to appropriate the social commons and condemn
everyone who celebrates differently. Before you
fulminate against your neighbors, secular or
sanctimonious, please do your homework!
Most modern Pagans smile and say "Merry Christmas and Glad
Yule." We're happy
to share our tree, and gifts, and feasting.
And if you don't want 'em, you can't have any! By the same token, feel free to express your religious feelings, as long as you support our having the same freedom. Whether you want to keep the Christ in Christmas, the Ch in Chanukah, or the Happy in Holidays, Season's Greetings! ~<;-) |
Summer & Winter
Solstice 2007: A
modest Pagan Proposal by Lowell McFarland DISCLAIMER: None of the information contained herein should be construed as legal advice, nor am I or Tuan Today engaged in the practice of law. If you need legal advice, or legal clarification of issues presented below, please seek the advice of independent legal counsel. The following are only my personal opinions. There are permanent Solstice sites around the world, on Indian reservations and at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst: http://www.astro.umass.edu/~young/gatherings.html Fascinating information about Solstice sites is at: http://www.religioustolerance.org/w_solsti.htm Additionally, there seems to be renewed interest in local Pagan groups participating in the two annual Solstices by considering erecting a small Solstice display where local authorities permit Christian crèches and Jewish menorahs to be erected on public lands (parks, city hall, schools, etc.). On review, the process seems to be doable by most all Pagan groups with a little persistence and a little money. Atheists have succeeded in putting up Solstice signs in several locations over several years. I have talked to several local authorities and the National Park Service (for the Washington DC Ellipse where the National Christmas Tree and National Chanukah Menorah were displayed) about potential Pagan Solstice displays along side Christian and Jewish displays. Of course, you must check with your local authorities and a local lawyer, but generic requirements seemed to me to be the same: There seemed to be no systemic objection to a Solstice display near Christian and Jewish displays by the authorities (to be verified locally); A permit was mandatory and might take months to get. It normally would specify everything including the erection date and removal dates; The Solstice display must be sponsored by a local Pagan group with a hierarchy, a named chief officer, a postal address and a listed telephone number; The design of the Solstice display must be approved for safety and to meet the uniform requirements of the local site (The Washington DC Ellipse allows for a forty foot menorah). Otherwise, several local authorities said that there was a maximum height of eight (8) feet. Electricity, batteries, propane, guy wires, etc., are all considerations; The construction and removal group must be approved by the local authorities; There are sometimes provisions for restoring the public lawn to pre display condition or paying local authorities to have this done; An insurance policy may be required to indemnify the local authority from any lawsuits or accidents related to the display. Having done commercial photography across the US (with generators, platforms, closing streets, etc.,), these generic requirements seem to be almost standard and expected. And having been partially involved with the Maes Howe and Newgrange (single time) Solstice broadcasts, and knowing the years of planning and costs, local Pagan Solstice displays across America in 2007 should be almost easy. The first item is to identify a local public property where there is a Christian crèche and a Jewish menorah. Christmas trees seem to sometimes count and sometimes don't. Large candy canes, reindeers, Santas in a bubble don't count from what I have heard. Private property, churches, synagogues, home fronts, etc., don't count. Second, talk to the local authorities with your groups bona
fides and indicate that you plan to officially request a
permit for Solstice displays to be erected around June 21st
and December 21st, 2007. |
National Council of Churches Uses Ecumenical Clout to Successfully Negotiate with Taco
Bell for Human Rights Press Release from the National Council of Churches, USA June 1, 2005 Louisville -- The executive board of the National Council of Churches USA has called on fast food chains to follow the lead of Taco Bell to guarantee the human rights of farm workers in their supply chains. "Four years ago farm workers from Immokalee Florida stepped forward in faith, believing that together as consumers, corporations, and workers we could create a better way of doing business that builds human well-being," said Bishop Thomas J. Hoyt, Jr., President of the NCC. Workers picking tomatoes for Taco Bell are seeing a significant increase in their wages and the promise of improved working conditions because of the March agreement between the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and Yum Brands. "And today we are seeing the first fruits of our efforts," Hoyt said. "But in truth, this is only the first step. We now look to McDonald's, Burger King and Subway to walk with the CIW and their allies into a new future, so that the human rights of farm workers throughout the fast-food industry will be similarly ensured." The executive board commended the CIW and Taco Bell for reaching the precedent-setting agreement that will improve wages and working conditions for farm workers. The agreement ended an almost four year consumer boycott of Taco Bell, which the NCC supported since November of 2003. "We commend the CIW for the principled and non-violent campaign it led, which drew the world's attention to the grave abuses endured by farm workers in this country and our ability as consumers and major corporations to help put an end to exploitation," said The Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar, NCC General Secretary. "We are particularly pleased that Yum Brands is taking a leadership role in promoting this kind of model throughout the fast-food industry," Edgar said. "It is time for other major buyers to follow Taco Bell's lead. Taco Bell has demonstrated that change is possible." "The NCC publicly calls upon McDonald's, Burger King, and Subway to support the socially responsible purchasing principles established in this agreement and to meet with the CIW to ensure the highest standards of human rights in their own supply chains," Edgar said. Farm workers picking tomatoes in Florida are earning 40-45 cents for every 32-pound bucket of tomatoes they pick and have an annual median income of $7,500, according to the Department of Labor. The CIW-Yum Brands agreement established the first-ever direct, ongoing payment by a fast-food industry leader to farm workers in its supply chain to address sub-standard farm labor wages (increasing workers wages from 40 cents to around 72 cents per bucket of tomatoes picked). It also established an enforceable Code of Conduct for agricultural suppliers in the fast-food industry, guaranteed by CIW involvement in the monitoring of suppliers, and market incentives for agricultural suppliers willing to respect their workers' rights, even when those rights are not guaranteed by law. Contact: NCC News. Leslie Tune, 202-544-2350, ltune@ncccusa.org; Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2252, pjenks@ncccusa.org |
GREEN Views Commentary by Christa Landon Interfaith Power The National Council of [Christian] Churches (NCC) used its ecumenical power to support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in its struggle for the human rights of farm workers. The Pagan Institute commends NCC for their efforts. And, of course, we urge Pagan folks to reward Taco Bell for heeding their dall. BUT, we Pagans could -- and should -- do more.
How?
And I can think of no better way for us to get -- and earn -- the respect our clergy want from their Christian peers. |
|
I. Pagans shall have the same freedom to worship that is II. Pagans shall have the same respect of all elected officials who represent III. A Pagan parent's religion shall not be used as evidence for the purpose of IV. Pagans shall be free to work without regard to their religion, and should be V. Pagans shall have the same freedom to conduct their lives that is given to VI. School district personnel and classroom visitors shall not proselytize or VII. Pagans shall have the same freedom to exercise all of their rights as do all VIII. Pagans are entitled to the free exercise of their beliefs and rituals and IX. Pagans shall have the right to redress when their religious rights are X. Pagans shall be able to wear sacred symbols of their faith in environments |
|
Last updated December 28, 2006