I used to think that only talking heads on television and radio enjoyed promoting the different battles in The Culture War^TM but now it seems our very own Owen Robinson has taken up the flag to fight The War on Christmas^TM.  Frankly, I just don't understand it at all.  For some reason in our society, we've become enamored with the idea of fighting wars lately.  Not just the War in Afghanistan and Iraq, or even the War on Terror^TM, but also a War on Drugs^TM, a War on Poverty^TM, or a War on Childhood Obesity^TM!  Somehow it is supposed to show our resolve, and the importance we place on something if we are willing to fight a war over it.  And yet, when we think of Christmas (or at least when I do), I think of tidings of peace, joy, and hope.  As John Nichols reminds us, we even have a truce in actual wars to celebrate the miracle that the day represents.  And so to attempt to analogize war to any aspect of Christmas is simply ugly.

But what of the War on Christmas^TM?  Does it really exist?  Who is fighting it and where?  More importantly, who is winning?  There are some who would have you believe that this war is rather new, and is somehow a product of the weakening of our culture, usually by progressive liberals (Secular Progressives, or SP's^© if you like Bill O'Reilly Speak).  For instance, there was an attempt by a Jewish Group in New York to stop Christmas displays in public schools, in which they boycotted the school system and kept their children home.  Somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000 children stayed home from school that day... in 1906.  A ban on religious carols was instituted in Brooklyn in 1947, and that's just the start of this long fought, historical war.  You can read more about it in this article from Reason.

But let's really examine the war as it stands today.  Like any good war, you have to have at least two sides, and if you enjoy talking tactics as Owen seems to, then you usually like to have multiple fronts on the war.  In the case of the War on Christmas^TM, you have multiple enemies, like the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and any old Joseph or Mary who refuses to wish you a happy and joyful Christmas when you buy a G.I Joe or Barbie for your son or daughter.  Likewise, there are at least two fronts, including keeping religion out of government, and keeping it out of stores.  So with the battle lines having been drawn, and the enemy properly sighted... ready... aim... wait.  Perhaps it's better... before firing a round in anger... to examine what exactly we're fighting for shall we?

The first front seems to be that of allowing religious displays on government property.  Owen mentions a case where a lawsuit erupted over a nativity scene donated by a Manitowoc County Catholic Women's Club for the County Courthouse.  According to Owen, the Freedom from Religion Foundation "detests Christianity" (remember, it always helps to paint your enemy as evil), and that's why they filed the lawsuit.  Of course, one wonders why the Catholic Women's Club chose to donate a nativity scene at all.  One would presume that they have a wonderful church, on private property, where one could display this nativity scene.  In fact, the number of businesses that have popped up to sell Christmas themed decorations has skyrocketed in recent years.  Hell, people compete annually on who can waste the most electricity with light displays on their homes.  But that's not enough according to some.  We need these displays not just on the private property of all those who share a common belief, but on public property as well.  And it should be noted that the Freedom from Religion Foundation only files suit against displays on public property.

But then, there are a number of reasons why its good to keep religious displays out of the public sphere.  For one, the government does a terrible job at just about everything it touches, as Owen would no doubt agree too.  So why do we want government getting involved in religious displays, or anything having to do with our salvation?  I'm not even talking about the separation of church and state here... but rather keeping the size and scope of government simply limited to that which helps the common good of all.  Maintaining law and order is such a thing (thus the court house) as well as the common defense (for fighting actual wars), which are things that everyone benefits from, whether they choose to participate directly or not, and thus why it is supported by taxation.  However, nativity scenes don't benefit everyone.  They only benefit those who share that common belief.  And while that group may be in the majority, that is no reason why their beliefs should trump those of a minority, especially when everyone has private property with which to make use.

The even stranger front of this made up war is that which supposedly takes place in stores.  Bill O'Reilly is famous for talking about this, and even goes so far as to call for the boycott of stores that refuse to wish you a Merry Christmas when you pay for your over priced toys.  What amazes me here is that there are people who seem to think they have a right to have their personal religious beliefs acknowledged in a non-religious setting.  Of course, the customer, and/or the clerk may not be Christian... and yet if one does not say Merry Christmas to the other, it is somehow offensive enough to start a war over!

Should a Jewish clerk be forced to say Merry Christmas to his/her customers?  We seem hell bent on allowing Catholic pharmacists the right to not only refuse to give out birth control, but not even forward the prescription onto another pharmacy, so why should a Jewish or atheist clerk be forced to acknowledge your religion?  And more importantly, why do you have the need to have others acknowledge it?  I mean, it's nice when they do, and Owen tells a nice story of being wished Merry Christmas by a waitress.  But he's not just talking about those random well wishes in the spirit of the season.  He's also suggesting that the lack of those wishes constitutes a war on the season itself!

And when you boil it all down, that's what the War on Christmas seems to be all about.  It's not just enough for each of us to have the freedom to celebrate the tenants of our religion... but some people also feel the need to force others to acknowledge our religion for us.  But that is not a right.  I have a right to speech, but I don't have a right to an audience.  I have a right to work, but not a job.  Likewise, I have a right to free exercise of religion, but not acceptance of my religion by others.  I don't have a right to force someone else to do something.  Likewise, calling their refusal to do so a war is a travesty... especially in this of all seasons.