By John David Powell
Once again the nativity season brings attacks by those offended by ubiquitous displays of Christmas. This Christmas, I’m drawn to the similar ways some Christians and Republicans create opposition to their beliefs and, like the innkeepers of Bethlehem, provide no shelter for travelers.
Every year brings new incidents of holiday political correctness, from removal of nativity scenes from public places to banning of Christmas references and displays in public schools. These events do not bother me, and I do not see them as infringements on my Christian beliefs. I do not need to see Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus welcoming shepherds and magi on the town square to remind me of Christmas and of the reason for the season. I do not rely on public schools to educate my children on the significance of Christmas or their religion.
As a Christian, I carry Christ in my heart every day (although I do not honor or adore Him as much as I should), and I tried to teach my children about our religion through my daily thoughts, words, and deeds. This is why I do not have strong feelings either way regarding prayers before public meetings or moments of silence in school.
Prayers in public settings, in my opinion, are religious displays that underscore one of the central questions of prayer, that is, whose petition does God grant? When the mayor prays at the start of a city council meeting for God’s guidance and grace, so, too, are the opposing sides in the upcoming debates. Who does God favor when both football teams and their respective fans pray that their guys beat the bejeezus out of the other guys?
Prayer is a personal thing to me, which is probably why I have problems with in-your-face declarations of any Christian tradition. It’s why I understand non-Christians, particularly atheists, who seem to loose all reason during Christmas. Stores now put out Christmas displays before Halloween, which makes it kind of creepy to see costumes of ghouls and politicians next to Santa and the Christ Child. News outlets devote much time during the days leading up to Thanksgiving to explain the economic importance of Christmas (or holiday) shopping, thereby underscoring the non-Christian argument that Christmas is merely a pagan observance forced upon society.
Christmas also exemplifies the vast differences in the ways Christians observe the holiday and practice their religion. My conservative, Eastern Orthodox tradition calls for fasting during the 40 days before Christmas. Other Christians have parties with drinks, meats, and merriment. And that’s OK, or should be, because I believe each of us practices our faith and traditions differently, not better.
Orthodox tradition sees Mary as a teenager betrothed to the older Joseph, a widower with children. Others see the Holy Family as a couple of starry-eyed teenagers heading to Bethlehem in compliance of Caesar’s law and the fulfillment of God’s plan. The end result is the same.
Orthodoxy is not demonstrative and showy in its practices or politics. One does not find mega churches, televangelists, or political action committees that try to influence public policy with their versions of faith-based politics that alienate other Christians as well as non-believers.
Christianity is a big tent that accepts many traditions. Some Christians, however, spend considerable time and resources promoting their interpretations of Jesus and Salvation, which many times conflict with other Christians. Orthodoxy, in a simple form, says there may be many paths to God, but we must concern ourselves with the single path laid out by a tradition that remains unaltered and unbroken since revealed by Jesus through the Apostles. Other Christian traditions, however, believe it’s their way or no way.
That thought brings us to the Republican Party of today, which many believe has been hijacked by a narrow brand of conservatives and by fundamentalist Christian beliefs. The quiet, but growing discourse says this strident political/religious stance not only alienates people with moderate conservative political views, but also people of other faiths, including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Wiccan. And let’s not leave out agnostics and atheists. Today’s Republican Party will falter and die unless it removes the walls erected by fundamentalist Christians and dismantles the political barriers that create impassable regional divides. Doing so will allow welcoming and inclusive spaces within its big tent for diverse personal convictions.
A gun-control advocate should not be ostracized from party that advocates reduced government control. An abortion-rights proponent should not feel unwanted in a party that believes in lower taxes. A supporter of programs that assist children and families in need should not be cast out by those who seek stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
Christmas provides a fundamental lesson for Christians, that Jesus came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. He who created all things was born in a shelter alongside the road because all the good rooms were taken. What would you do if you were an innkeeper and knew what we know today?
If today’s Republican Party continues catering to the far-right of center and to its fringe elements, it is highly probably its epitaph will read: It provided no crib for a bed.
John David Powell is an award-winning Internet columnist and writer.
