Why recognize the importance of Christmas? Maybe so all the non-Christian toy store owners can gather around their bulging cash registers on Dec. 24th and sing "what a friend we have in Jesus" ...

Why recognize the importance of Christianity? Maybe because the mindless bulk of our society has bought into George Bush's dichotomous "you're either for us or against us" way of thinking. We're losing the ability to think in terms other than black and white, us or them, righteous or "evildoers".

We earlier passed similar resolutions honoring Islam and Buddhism.
I will happily vote to honor Judaism, the Baha'i (I really liked Seals and Croft in college), or other major religions. I voted for the resolution precisely to maintain the neutrality of the state by honoring Christianity the same way we had honored other major religions.

Happy Holidays.

Really? We shouldn't honor a holiday that is the high point for millions of Christians in the world, not to mention the ones in the US?

For those w/ constitutional arguments, this does not establish a religion (establishment clause). It does, however, celebrate a group of people who are freely exercising their religion (free exercise clause) during this time of year.

Those w/ religious arguments, please let us know what personal religious holidays you are currently celebrating so we can recognize them as well. I'm all for that. For those who are atheists or agnostics, then I'm sure you won't mind us people of faith celebrating our religious beliefs and having our duly elected government recognize those beliefs and its importance to us. I assure you, our faith is important to us. Like many of our beliefs, whether political or social, we can't explain it if you don't share it, so asking us to acknowledge it on your terms doesn't really make sense. And, heck, we all know Christmas is not only a religious holiday, it's also a secular time of gift-giving and the gathering of friends and family. So let's celebrate those non-Christians who celebrate that aspect of it.

Here's the entire text of the apparent offensive resolution:

Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;

Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;

Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population;

Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible;

Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;

Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its roots in Christianity;

Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas , the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;

Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and Grace; and

Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;
(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;
(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and
(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

Are there two or three points we could squabble about in the text? Sure. And will it affect anything? ...nope. Not really. Not sure when any argument over religion has ever gone too smoothly! But doesn't mean we can't talk about it openly, honestly, and respectfully.

I think it's great that we all have different political, religious, and social beliefs. But to accuse our government of a grand conspiracy anytime they mention religion is anathema to our country and its Constitution. Do I say this is a "Christian nation"? Of course not. Do I say that a majority of Americans identify as Christian (check off church attendance on Easter and Christmas at the very least!)? Oh yes. So do we ask our government never to acknowledge the religion of many of its people during one of their greatest religious holy days?

If Christians are not allowed to be celebrated in our Party, as all religions should be, then I think the our membership numbers would slightly rival the Green Party. I'm a little offended by some of the comments on here, but that's life, I'll get over it. But it makes it hard to convince the majority of Americans/North Carolinians, many whom are Christians and other members of faith, to come to our side when there are comments like this.

So, if you truly find this resolution offensive, then I would encourage you to post a resolution of your own celebrating your faith or non-faith.

So Merr...er...Happy Holidays to everyone!

we celebrate a secular Christmas, because it's the tradition that both of our families grew up with. But our religious/spiritual Holiday is Yule - or the Winter Solstice. It is the shortest day, and the longest night of the year. It's traditional for us, as pagans, to watch through the night with a bonfire (or - you know - sometimes just one in the fireplace) for the Light to be reborn. Every day will get longer from then on. In earlier, all agricultural times, our ancestors knew that as the days grew longer, spring would eventually come, seeds would be blessed and planted six weeks later at Imbolc (about Feb 2) when the ewes and cows first came into their milk, and then, finally, at the Vernal Equinox, or Ostara, the first green shoots of spring would be celebrated. For us it's a wheel, never ending, and Yule is a very important part of it.

For me personally, Yule is important because Dec. 21 is also my wedding anniversary. As the Light was returning to the earth on 12/21/2001, so it was returning to my life. :) It's a special day.

And I don't have problem honoring Christmas. I have a problem not taking care of more important stuff. Like s-chip. and impeachment.

Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;

by our government to be unsettling to say the least.

Whether it was the intent of the author(s) or not, this observation amounts to a tacit promotion of Christianity as the primary religion of this country. The fact that it was enacted by a Congress that is preoccupied with the business of pursuing a 2/3 veto-proof majority makes this "statistical analysis" of religion even more confounding, because it provides a possible solution for difficult legislation by inserting Christian-friendly language and/or benefits.