Holiday tree, this is the “War on Christmas?” | An Atheist in Wheaton Advertisement: An Atheist in Wheaton About Holiday tree, this is the “War on Christmas?” Tweet By James Kirk Wall , December 2, 2012 at 7:33 am There was so much spinning on the O’Reilly Factor this week that the people in New York thought Hurricane Sandy had returned. So what catastrophic event warranted all this hot air? In Rhode Island the Governor Lincoln Chaffee followed the example of the previous Governor and called a decorated tree in the State capital a Holiday Tree. Seriously, that was the big emergency that Bill O’Reilly needed to save our country from. So why is big bad blowhard Bill so animated over this event? Not surprisingly, his anger is fueled by ignorance. Bill insists that the tradition of a Christmas tree started in Germany. Bill is wrong. A decorated tree in December has been a tradition long before the Bible was ever written. It is a pagan tradition celebrating the Winter Solstice. Something to think about for those who don’t celebrate Halloween because it’s a pagan holiday, but put up a decorated tree in December and color Easter eggs in the Spring. So why does Bill have such a problem with Holiday trees? This is never explained. He insists a Christmas tree is a secular symbol. If that is true, what’s the beef with calling it a Holiday tree? To steal a line from Penn Jillette, doing Holiday instead of Christmas brings everyone in; not only the atheists, but Jews, Muslims and other religions as well. Bill accuses Governor Chaffee of removing a tradition. He says this while the governor is standing in front of the decorated tree. The tree is there! No one is taking it away or even talking about removing it. It’s just called a Holiday tree. Once again, what is the problem? Secularism is taking hold of the United States and has been for some time. It’s not the 1950s anymore. Easter break is now called Spring break. Christmas break is now called Winter break. This is not due to a war on Christianity; this is due to a desire to include everyone. The grand holiday in December is a mixture of Pagan traditions, the legacy of Saint Nicholas, and Americanization such as fat Santa and Black Friday. Many people of all religions come to settle in the United States and celebrate the winter holiday. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, the Solstice, Kwanzaa, something secular or anything else, the grand celebration in December is for you. So in the spirit of being fair and balanced and looking out for everyone, even the people who don’t have the same beliefs that I do, Happy Holidays to all! And may logic and reason bless us, everyone. James Kirk Wall Filed under: Uncategorized Tags: atheist , Bill O’Reilly , Fox News , Jews , Lincoln Chaffee , Muslims , Pagan , secular , war on Christmas Tweet Advertisement: Leave a comment Welcome to ChicagoNow . Meet our bloggers, post comments, or pitch your blog idea. Sign in Pitch your idea Advertisement: Meet The Blogger James Kirk Wall James Kirk Wall has been featured in Radio and Newspaper. As an educated and plain speaking facilitator of knowledge, Wall is able to take the best from philosophy, science, history, and other academic studies to provide a holistic common sense perspective of life's biggest questions. This philosopher/ author can be contacted at jameskirkwall@yahoo.com. Recent posts When we can live to be 200 years old » James Kirk Wall on An Atheist in Wheaton Posted Monday at 7:12 pm Can we disprove god? Depends on definition. » James Kirk Wall on An Atheist in Wheaton Posted January 20, 2013 at 7:19 am The Machiavellian perfection of god » James Kirk Wall on An Atheist in Wheaton Posted January 14, 2013 at 7:01 am Why be an atheist? » James Kirk Wall on An Atheist in Wheaton Posted January 6, 2013 at 7:46 am James Kirk Wall’s Top Heathen Blogs of 2012 » James Kirk Wall on An Atheist in Wheaton Posted December 30, 2012 at 9:43 am Latest on ChicagoNow Going Home from Mary Tyler Mom by Mary Tyler Mom posted today at 9:19 am Cook County Latinas make 44 cents on the dollar compared to white men from Chicago Muckrakers by MeganCottrell posted today at 9:09 am Why Yo Gabba Gabba Live is better than The Book of Mormon from Listing Toward Forty by Kim Z Dale posted today at 9:06 am Do Inner City Kids Need to be Taught 'Grit'? from Poli Chi by Barb Moreno posted today at 9:00 am Do Today's Sappy Happy-Talk TV Personalities Actually Deserve To Live from Taking A Second Look by Jack Spatafora posted today at 8:50 am Related posts From Lifestyle: Religion » The Introduction to the Devout Life » siblingless on Being Catholic...Really Posted today at 8:04 am Puzzled (13): Target and Focus » IMPROV CLASS FOR THE SOUL on Improv Class For The Soul Posted Monday at 4:04 pm Don't Let Go of Your "First Love" » Hesham Hassaballa on A Faithful Word Posted January 12, 2013 at 5:07 am Remembering Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. » Sister Christian on A Daily Miracle Posted Monday at 1:50 pm Escaping from my own Reflection » Meggan Sommerville on Trans Girl at the Cross Posted Monday at 11:39 pm Related blogs Being Catholic...Really Facing the challenges of being Catholic in the 21st century Improv Class For The Soul Where nothing is too sacred to question A Faithful Word Thoughts of a Chicago-style, deep dish American Muslim A Daily Miracle Making the ordinary extraordinary, one blog post at a time Trans Girl at the Cross Insights into being a Christian transgender woman More from Lifestyle: Religion Read these ChicagoNow blogs Part Time Making a whole out of all the parts of your life Fresh Starts and Chicken Wing Shortages Interesting Chicago People, places, things that make Chicago interesting and unique. 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