Where Does God Fit In?

Recently, there has been a lot of controversy locally, because Maple Ridge City Council meetings still follow an old tradition of opening with prayer. The local ministerial, made up of protestant ministers, take turns at this. A few council members suddenly decided that, despite not ever receiving any complaints, that this might be offensive to other non-Christians. At the same time, the Chilliwack School Board decided that the Ministry of Education's reference to Winter vacation made no sense, since we are not celebrating winter. They decided to call it what it is, "Christmas Vacation". It seems the only people offended by this are members of the BC Teachers Federation, which is scary because these people are in charge of educating our children.

So why is there so much concern in Canadian society for offending people by practicing Christian traditions? The opening of Council meetings with prayer has been, as I understand it, a good thing even for those who may not be or actively practice the Christian faith. Whether or not the practice of prayer by a group which perhaps does not collectively even believe in the God they are praying to may be questionable and the solution to have a time of reflection may be a good one.

Calling the December vacation Christmas vacation rather than some trumped up excuse such as winter holidays makes much more sense. December 25 is celebrated as Christmas, and has been since Confederation. Not everyone who celebrates is doing so because they believe in the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The stores are evidence that the majority of Canadians celebrate though some kind of gift exchange, party or other activity and all refer to it as Christmas. There are a few who may feel offended by the concept of Christmas, but I have yet to see a strong movement to open the schools so that their children may be excluded from the Christmas holidays.

No, what I wonder is why the only group we as a society don't seem to be concerned about offending are Christians. Society is quick to use the agrument about seperating church and state as an agrument for restricting God to the confines of the church buildings. This supposes that God can be put in a box and taken out only when appropriate. It totally denies the Biblical principle that God is relevant 24/7, not just on Sunday. A Christian can not deny their Christian principles or beliefs when conducting government business or other activities outside of the church, just as a First Nations person can not deny their heritage and culture when dealing with others from a different culture.

Furthermore, despite our political correctness, why is it quite OK to take God's name in vain, a direct violation of one of the ten commandments? We use common expressions like "Oh my God" continuously, without any regard for the fact that this is, or should, offend Christians. The expression is not an acknowledgement of God but a hollow expression of surprise. Clearly, God's name is not being used as it should. Why, if so many people choose to do away with God, do they keep referring to him? As a Christian, I would not want to keep referring to something I do not believe in. Newspapers used to try and disguise these common expressions by using spelling like "gawd" , but nolonger even feel the need to do this. Have you ever seen the letters to the editor when some newspaper story talks about anything Christian? It always shocks me to see the hate an venom that comes out in the denounciations. Would those same letters be printed if they attacked the Sihk, Muslim, Hindu or other religions?

As Canadians, we need to be tolerant and respectful of all people and religious faiths, but that includes Christianity. That does not mean we need to agree with everyone, but we should be accepting of all. That does not mean we need to deny our heritage or that we have to change everything because there may be someone somewhere who may be offended. In Canada, Christmas is Christmas, regardless of how December 25 is recognized in another country. That's what makes this Canada. You do not need to be a Christian, you do not need to participate in any religious celebration, and you are free to celebrate or not celebrate this day any lawful way you please, but do not be offended because in Canada the Biblical Christmas is recognized as it always has been.

OK, I got that off of my chest. Merry Christmas everyone!