Peace on Earth?

Once again we must tred lightly in celebrating the season. Now that WalMart has returned to allowing the employees to say Merry Christmas, have their sales increased? But we still find that we are afraid to step on the toes of people of other faiths. Have we gone too far?

When I was a kid we all decorated our school room doors. Some times there was a prize for the best one. One year we started a decoration which said Merry X-Mas, but the teacher said that was not appropriate. So we changed it to Merry Christmas by writing smaller.

No one seemed to complain about Christmas trees, wreaths or other seasonal decorations. Even some of our Jewish friends came to Christmas or New Years Eve parties. No one made a big deal. We were friends. What has happened? We are afraid of offending poeople of other faiths. What happened to tolerance? Now we have to be sure to get each symbol right. So we light Menorahs and celebrate (or tolerate) Kwanza. What's wrong with Christmas trees? Next we won't want to put up outside lights on our homes.

There a some well known subdivisions in cities that are really dramatic in the outside decorations. Some have contests to see which is the best decorated home. I have even heard of an area where before a person can buy a house they must agree to participate in the area Christmas decorating. This place even requires outdoor decorations be in a neighborhood theme and if any one sells their house the decorations must remain. Ok.

So why do we worry about what others think? Funny,but it seems that the only groups who are not complaining about decorations offending anyone are Atheists. What about the Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddists? Personally, I think people are going overboard with the "equal time". We didn't used to be this way.

Have a happy holiday season to everyone who has something to celebrate. That should be just about everyone. Peace on Earth, Good Will to All.