Nativity seems truer reflection of America
by KC Jones, ne news editor

   Having just had a birthday, I turned my thoughts to one of the biggest birthday celebration seasons I know, Christmas.

   In the past, most Americans probably did not need a definition of Christmas; now one is needed.

   The true reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

   Jesus Christ lived on this earth teaching others about love, peace and the care a supreme God gives every soul.

   His teachings and followers are among the greatest influences this world has known, politically or spiritually.

   Unfortunately, people who have some kind of problem with Jesus don’t understand the importance of celebrating his birth; therefore, certain people have made such a stink about recognizing Jesus publicly that government agencies no longer display a nativity scene on their grounds.

   The reason given for the elimination of Jesus from the Christmas decorations is a concept called “separation of church and state.” This argument is flawed.

   The Constitution protects its citizens from a government-imposed religion because the founding fathers came from England, which had an official government religion the Church of England.

   Many of the first settlers wanted to worship differently from the Church of England, so they moved to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

   Now, there is huge debate about the separation of church and state, which I believe to be made up by atheists. They are the only ones who believe the world can operate in a spiritual vacuum.

   I disagree with them.

Everyone worships something. In America it seems to be money, and wherever a person’s heart is, his or her actions will follow.

   So the belief system of a person affects his actions, and that goes for politicians as well.

   This country already allows almost anything in the form of religion, but some people have successfully discriminated against Christianity or anything that hints at morality to promote a free-for-all, anything-goes society.

   The success of this kind of humanistic religion has been the downfall of the family and rears its ugly results in the form of increased violence, increased greed and a general collapse of good.
Suicide, divorce, illegitimate births, theft, murder and sexual disease rates are all on the rise as people forget about the concepts that promote morality, peace, love, hope and faithfulness.

   It just so happens that Jesus was one who promoted the latter, so America wants to get rid of him?

   It is like America is throwing the baby out with the bath water.

   Well, the water in this country was cleaner with Jesus in it.

   Why don’t we see a nativity scene on government grounds? This need not be a religious issue, but should be a historical and cultural one.

   This country celebrates the birthday of past presidents. We celebrate Black History month and Martin Luther King who by the way was a follower of Jesus. In many states, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated.

   Even if someone wants to focus on the religious part of Christmas, what is the problem? Just look at any calendar to see a variety of religious holidays listed that represent many different religions.

   There is plenty of room for everyone to celebrate his own religion, so what is wrong with Americans publicly celebrating with a nativity scene?

   At last count, a majority of the citizens of the United States considered their religious affiliation to be Christian.

   This is supposed to be a democracy, and according to Webster’s that means, “government by the people: rule of the majority.”

   From what I can tell, a few people are forcing decisions that are against the will of the majority, probably because the majority have their heads elsewhere.

   It offends me to see big packages on the government lawn advertising the new official religion: materialism.

   It disgusts me that a season that is supposed to reflect a spirit of love and giving has turned into a give-me session.

   It is sad but obviously true that the people in control are pushing products and not peace.

   America has become a place that puts goods in front of God, and family is sacrificed for the all-mighty green god: money.

   Americans seem to have forgotten that money cannot buy happiness.

   Jesus taught about fulfillment and healing and said that loving one another was more important than having riches.

   If government is truly run by the majority, every American has the freedom to worship anything they want, so they don’t have to worship Jesus.

   Most Americans will decorate during the Christmas holidays anyway. Therefore, it only makes sense to put the nativity scene back on the grounds of any property.

   Those who have a problem with nativity scenes don’t have to look at them.

   I suggest they spend their efforts sharing their own culture and religion with others rather than trying to take mine away from me.

   America isn’t Sudan. Being a Christian is not against the law yet, but the way things appear to be going, it could be in the future.