Don’t Let Political Correctness Ruin Christmas

By December 7, 2011

I’m here to tell you why it is that, during this Christmas Season… Err… holiday season, we deserve to have a little less of a politically correct approach as a nation and as a generation. There’s nothing more frustrating than writing about something I truly believe, then having to sit back and erase it because it might offend someone. If you appreciate answers that are straight from the hip, this column will hopefully ease some of the stress that comes from being true to yourself in a time where our culture asks us to be all-inclusive.

Recently, Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee decided that the state would have a “holiday tree” rather than a “Christmas tree.” It’s not the first time we’ve had to approach this topic, even at our institution. Usually non-secular decorations and anything not Christmas-related is well received, but we always tend to do a double take when Christ is thrown into the mix. Christians, and any Americans who see religious freedom as sacred, need to set up their Christmas tree and embrace it for what it really is: an expression of the Christian religion. Does this act deny other religions? Not at all.

For me Jesus is the reason for the season. Without him, this holiday season would be irrelevant, December 25th just another for a bowl game day and retailers wouldn’t be half as successful as they are today. By simply appreciating Jesus’ birth, we have made December 25th the most exciting day of the year, and one that will continue to define family, community and world relations for years to come. The giving spirit and the joy in our hearts that is driven through this day make Christmas such an integral part of world culture. Look at Toys for Tots, Angel Tree or Operation Christmas Child, and tell me that Christmas philanthropy for those in need is not something that is truly special.

Across the world, religious citizens are getting martyred because of their faith. They would give anything to obtain the freedom we have in the U.S., yet I feel like there’s often less freedom in modern America because of the consistent qualms with religion and state ever touching. Our country was founded on religious principles, and we have every right to make Christmas and Christ a part of our daily lives. I appreciate the diversity of other religions, and believe each and every holiday is also important to be able to observe as an American, but I’m just asking for more tolerance and acceptance for those of us who truly believe Christ deserves a spot in our campus life this Christmas season.

Across campus many students are afraid to say they don’t support a particular way of life, talk about where they come from or be confident in their views, in fear of being chastised because of it. Everyone has the right to his or her opinion, and my only worry is that we are losing sight of what it means to have freedom of speech, all in the name of political correctness. Peer influence is guiding much of our generation’s progress, and I believe it is that influence that is the source of much fear and doubt. Furthermore, it can be hard to develop the foundation of our beliefs because of the confidence it takes to speak up without fear.

Is this a matter of political correctness, or are we all simply terrified of appearing intolerant, even when we don’t care about the politics of the matter at hand? The Wall Street Journal said in 2008, as “of late we’ve noticed an interpersonal change: People are much more timid in offering seasonal greetings (i.e. ‘Merry Christmas’) as if they’re walking on eggshells for fear of giving offense.” Little did they know, “holiday” comes from the word “holy.” Take that, Scrooge.

Sure, “PC” is very important for someone like me, because my job requires me to take in the viewpoints of all students. But I think the primary quality most people appreciate is the ability to trust someone, the freedom to “be real” with someone in situations when it isn’t convenient. I challenge you to take that approach to situations, to have the confidence to be bold.

No matter what your beliefs are, a little political incorrectness could never hurt. There’s something about living in a supposedly tolerant age that, rather than foster understanding or civility, continually renders normally intelligent people utterly narrow-minded and thoughtless. When we can share our beliefs openly and without fear, then it will truly be a Merry Christmas.

 

Michael Dodd is the Associated Student Government president. 

← Older Comments
  • Emily

    So am I wrong? Should our government be endorsing one religion and its holidays? Exclude all the nonChristians? 

  • Jeremy

    Government should not be endorsing one religion.  I was just objecting to your premise for the conclusion as presented.  I explain it below somewhere in reply to someone else.

  • Creepy McCreeperson

    If you think the above is true, you probably ought to be asking where the money comes from to decorate ASG’s, Greek Life’s, and all the other student organization’s areas with Christmas material.  My guess is that the students/staff aren’t paying for them out of pocket.

  • Christmasfan

    I wholeheartedly respect our ASG president Michael Dodd for standing up for what he believes in.  It doesn’t matter whether one is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, or agnostic- one of the best things about our country is that because of the First Amendment, you can stand up for what you believe in.  So who are all of you to attack him for doing just that, following the First Amendment that many of you keep referencing?

    I agree with this article 100% and I am a Christian.  However, this article does not at all say that as Christians, we have it so rough or that we don’t feel like we can be ourselves.  All it’s saying is that we want to be able to stand up for Christmas without being persecuted for it, like Michael has been by all of you.  Christmas is one of the most deeply important events in our lives, the birth of our Savior.  So naturally he is going to write about it for his holiday article.  Now you cannot tell me that you would be posting comments about how “ignorant” and “stupid” our president is if he happened to be Jewish and wanted to write an article about what this holiday season means to him.  Dodd did not write this article to try to force anything on anyone.  In fact in it he states, “my only worry is that we are losing sight of what it means to have freedom of speech.”

    So did I misread that?  Did he say, “my only worry is that everyone is not Christian and that everyone doesn’t believe exactly what I believe”?  Absolutely not.  So stop putting words in his mouth and give the guy some credit for standing up for his deepest beliefs and values, even though he knew he would have many critics.  If none of you think we should have the right to stand up for what we believe in, then please continue to ridicule him and call him immature names.  But if you realize that the man is writing about his own OPINION about the holiday season, then please just give it a rest.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cameron-Treece/1117635204 Cameron Treece

    A lots of things wrong here.

    1. You are, as (seriously) millions of people love to do, not addressing the actual reason that people are criticizing him. No one is saying he doesn’t have the right to express his views. We are criticizing the views he expressed, and if you’re going to act like a child and play the victim when your views are criticized you really shouldn’t be within five thousand miles of any institution of higher learning. You will spread this disease of stunted intellectual growth to the children and no one here wants that. The First Amendment, as you claim to love so dearly, allows us to criticize you and let you know when you say something inconceivably stupid. You also have the right to get upset about it (just letting you know), but that doesn’t mean getting upset is equivalent to the most effective form of action.

    2. Already addressed the “persecution” mentality. Nevermind, it wasn’t enough. No one is persecuting Christians anywhere in America. He (and you, now) are getting flamed because he lacks major understanding of our national heritage and the simple fact that CHURCH AND STATE IS SEPARATED FOR VERY, VERY, VERY RIDICULOUSLY EXTREMELY GOOD REASONS. And whenever you claim there is no such thing as a “wall of separation” between Church and State in the constitution, you are wrong, and we will be glad to let you know and inform you of the reality.

    3. If he was Jewish this would’ve still happened, the only reason it always seems like Christians are the ones being “persecuted” is because Christians are largely the only ones doing this crap because they are statistically (derp) the demographic that we will see doing this the most. If you have to ask why that is, you should just say nothing.

    4. Once again, this has absolutely nothing to do with infringing on his First Amendment rights.

    5. We’re dealing with matters of fact here, not opinions. Whether or not Christians are being persecuted is a matter of fact, whether or not Christmas is about the birth of Jesus (lol, it’s not) is a matter of fact. His favorite flavor would be a matter of opinion. You can’t just label every piece of garbage that ejaculates from your brain to be an opinion, opinions are not grounded in facts (wait… everything makes sense now). Also, your name is tacky.

    Class dismissed.

  • Jack Ruby

    Jeez, are you all still on this?  If Dodd had written about some important campus issue ASG was working on, I bet I’d have been the only one to comment.

  • Bleakster

    “Across the world, religious citizens are getting martyred because of
    their faith. They would give anything to obtain the freedom we have in
    the U.S., yet I feel like there’s often less freedom in modern America
    because of the consistent qualms with religion and state ever touching.”

    Wow. Who wants to bet that those people are being martyred because their governments have no such “consistent qualms with religion and state ever touching”?

  • Gregory Bullard

       As I read this, I am again reminded that like so many
    elected to a position of power (even an ASG position), it is not a requirement
    for them to have a grasp of history or even their own beliefs.  An hour of research would have concluded with
    you erasing this version of your work, and replacing it with one that would
    contain factual information.  Scrolling
    through the comments, I can see where many others felt the same way, and are
    attempting to fill you in on the history of Christmas, the Christmas tree and
    so forth.  I’m not sure what standards
    you hold yourself to, but if I were a representative of this institution, I’d
    strive to represent my university with the best face possible.   This article did not live up to that
    standard. 

       On a side note, invoking the martyrdom in other countries in
    an attempt to bolster the claim of some persecution here in the U.S. was a
    cheap shot.  Show me one Christian that
    has been persecuted at this university.* Show me one.  Bring them to me now, and I’ll admit I’m
    wrong.  If you can’t produce one, then
    please stop adding to the tired loop of “persecution”.  It is laughable, and does nothing but perverts
    the memory of individuals that really have been persecuted and died for their
    faith. 

     

    *With the exception of Moses.  He’s just a loon. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cameron-Treece/1117635204 Cameron Treece

    Wish I had caught this.

  • N.T.

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

    Why all the hate? Michael is not forcing you to do anything. He is saying you don’t have to be a prisoner of political correctness. Sure, he said it from a Christian perspective. So what would you have done if he said it from a Muslim or homosexual perspective?

    “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.” 1Ptr. 3:3

    “Do not be misled; God is not mocked. A man will always reap what he sows.” Gal 6:7

    “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Ps. 14:1

    Be warned.

  • Tyler Wilson QB 1

    I love that Michael is being real in this article. I understand that others have different opinions but he is true about what he believes. You must give him credit for that. If you read too far into what he says then you will easily misunderstand what he is trying to say. I have known Michael for a very long time and know that this message comes from a heart of love, compassion, and honesty. Because of that, I would just encourage you to not misinterpret the meaning or his intentions, instead take realize that the heart behind the article is a pure one and so are the intentions.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cameron-Treece/1117635204 Cameron Treece

     You clearly aren’t paying attention.

  • Jeremy

    To?

← Older Comments