It’s hard to know where to begin when an advertisement like this appears on the Op-Ed pages of the NY Times: Catholic League President William A Donohue complaining about Christmas in the US.

Personally, I begin with the language. Like the lay-out and terrible graphics of the old John Birch Society flyers the attitude is conveyed without needing to read the content: “something sick about;” “all this madness;” “neutering of Christmas” (hmm, Christmas as a stallion…such an odd image…) When a purported Roman Catholic blames “cultural fascists” for his unhappiness we know we are in the presence of something very special.

If you care to know more about the complainant you can easily find evidence that Mr. Donohue’s concern for “diversity” is a false as his knowledge of fascists, as is his understanding of the teachings of the one he pretends to be rescuing.

Who really cares what Hollywood thinks? All these hacks come out there. Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It’s not a secret, okay? And I’m not afraid to say it. … Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost. [MSNBC, Scarborough Country, 12/8/04]

Media Matters on William A Donohue

For sentences masquerading as thought, the one claiming that percentages of Christians vs percentages of Hindus tells us something about religious belief is a doozy. We got stuff like that slapped out of us in 8th grade speech classes. Bully Boys like Donohue took the wrong lesson and decided that shouting could overcome any lack of coherence.

What’s really odd is that he is standing the old Catholic argument on it’s head: when I was a lad, putting Christ back in Christmas meant taking Him out of the public square. Let there be seasonal celebrations all around, but regard the birth of the Child in places of quiet and veneration. What religious person would want a creche with the baby Jesus near the underware table at Macy’s, we argued (vehemently.) The celebration of the Saviour was being drowned out — in our hearts– by the din of Christmas. Worship Him, we altar boys thought, in our homes and churches, not at City Hall! In fact, the really God-struck amongst us agitated our parents to take down that pagan tree, turn off the silly jingle music and meditate on the hope of a child, born as I recall in the Middle-East, in a land where tyrants slaughtered their enemies and hated the Jews.

For more on the Catholic League you could look at their web site where “in a stink” jumps out as more exemplary language. The nuns in my grammar schools would have slashed me with the metal edge of their rulers for using it.
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CELEBRATE DIVERSITY: CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

The United States is 85 percent Christian, which means we are more Christian than India is Hindu and Israel is Jewish. Moreover, 96 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas. So why do we have to tippy-toe around the religious meaning of Christmas every December?

There is something sick about Friendship Trees, Winter Solstice Concerts, Holiday Parades and Holly Day Festivals. The neutering of Christmas extends to the banishment of Nativity Scenes from the public square, the expulsion of baby Jesus from crèches not otherwise forbidden, the banning of red and green at school functions, the censoring of “Silent Night” at municipal concerts, etc.

All of this madness is done even though 97 percent of Americans say they are not offended by Christmas celebrations.

So as not to be misunderstood, it is important to recognize that the few who are complaining do not belong to any one religious or ethnic group—there is plenty of diversity to be found among
the ranks of the disaffected. No matter, fairness dictates that their intolerance should not trump the rights of the rest of us. Diversity means respect for the traditions and heritages of all groups, not just those which have been cherry-picked by the multicultural gurus.

To be excluded is normal. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Black History Month, Gay Pride Parades—they all exclude someone. The Olympic Games are a showcase of segregation—men are barred from women’s sports—yet not even radical feminists call it sexist. Should all of these holidays and events be banned because some feel excluded?

By celebrating Christmas we are celebrating diversity. Don’t let the cultural fascists get their way this year.

William A. Donohue
President