I find this thread most interesting. Full of diversity which is what life in America is all about. We have the freedom to worship any religion we so choose. Being Christian, Islam, Jewish and some even worship satan. Folks can even worship a tree, if they so desire. And yes folks can say Blessed Be, Peace be upon Him, and some can even curse God. But should a person say Merry Christmas, folks are offended. They want to take the Christ out of everything. The Lord’s Prayer has been replaced by metal detecters in schools. Who knows, maybe the next thing folks will fuss about is saluting the American flag. America is a Christian nation. As Islamic countries are Muslim and I have no problem accepting that. I can say, it would be a most interesting day when a Bible carrying Christian can give out Bibles in the market place standing next to a Muslim in an Islamic country. Or even having a diverse discussion of banishing religious holidays in an Islamic country would be most interesting. Talk about being hung or shot right on the spot. Needless to say, all religions and/or cultures are welcomed in America. And all the people that come here from various countries hold dearly to their roots and continue to teach their children their culture and/or religious beliefs along side with American culture. Nobody is hurt by American culture and/or religious beliefs. If this wasn’t true, then America would be the last place folks would risk their lives to live here.

Of course Christmas is a worldwide holiday. And to replace a worldwide Merry Christmas with a Merry Solstice would not be taken lightly by many. I believe those that want to say Merry Solstice has that right. But I also believe those who want to say Merry Christmas should also have that right. It rather irks me when my religious beliefs and/or traditions are attacked and when my beliefs are protested against only to be replaced by other’s beliefs.

Not only is Christmas a religious holiday, it is also a festive holiday for family gatherings. The Christmas tree is not worshiped. Santa Clause is not worshiped. And the wreaths hung on windows or doors are not worshiped. I can say the twinkling lights displayed on trees or homes always makes my heart dance and always brings a smile, no matter how bad I feel or what difficult situation I may be facing. So I am thinking that maybe it isn’t always the Christ in Christmas that offends some people. Since the holiday is also a family holiday, some may not have that “happy, warm, loving” family to visit and they are lonely and/or depressed and the very sight of festive celebrations or “happiness” only makes them feel worse. Some may have experienced a trauma or heartache or extreme hardship during this time of year and only sad memories surface. I know I have had more than my share of spending Christmas alone and wanting to only hide from the smiling faces and joyous celebrations of the holiday. I also have had more than my share of happy holidays. Christmas to me is more than a turkey dinner, or a decorated pine tree. Christmas means to me the celebrating of the birth of Christ. “Fear not for I bring you good news and great joy. For unto you is born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And peace on earth, goodwill toward men”. Celebration, salvation and reconciliation.

As Muslim women have the right to wear her hajib and veil which represents her religious faith, she also has the freedom to say Blessed be upon Him. I also want to exercise my rights by saying God Bless You. Others also have the same rights of expression by saying Blessed Be, and I want to have the same rights by exercising my freedom to say Jesus is Lord or even Merry Christmas. I respect the rights of all, even when their religious beliefs are different than mine. I expect my religious freedoms and rights also to be respected.