December 1, 2011 - 9:33am
By Victor Cornell
Austin Regional Coordinator
It’s that time of the year again, when the ACLU of Texas starts receiving email and cards reminding us that the holiday is called Christmas and telling us that we’re on the losing side in the so-called ‘war on Christmas’. The truth is, not only is there no war on Christmas, but if they knew what we really stood for, most of those letter writers would realize that we’re actually on their side.
From nativity scenes at churches to crosses in front yards, symbols of Christmas are pervasive in the public and private square. And, except when the government is being used to promote religious beliefs, it is entirely constitutional. Christmas is not only safe; it’s constitutionally protected (for those unfamiliar with our work – that’s what we do)!
Some of the cards we receive are from people who are themselves promoting distinctly non-christian symbols in the name of saving Christmas. They worry that we want to ban Christmas trees (evergreens were a pre-Christian Roman symbol for fertility throughout the winter months) or the singing of secular carols in this non-existent ‘war.’
The truth is, there is no ‘war on Christmas.’ But even if there was, the ACLU of Texas would be a combatant on the side of people expressing and practicing their individual faiths (or no faith at all) without government interference, exactly as the founders intended.
But keep sending us cards – we’ll take them in the spirit we hope they’re intended, as lovely holiday wishes for those defending all Texans’ religious rights! In upcoming blogs as part of our How We Celebrate the Season series, we’ll discuss other aspects of how we celebrate here at the ACLU of Texas.