Posted December 23, 2003
Question: What does Judge Roy Moore's Ten Commandments monument have in common with a Christmas tree? Answer: They are both religious symbols. Next question: So why was the monument removed when Christmas trees abound in schools and governmental buildings?
This anomaly indicates that the concept of "separation of church and state" is not uniformly applied in the United States today.
I choose not to celebrate Christmas for several reasons. It is not biblical in origin. It is a carryover from ancient pagan celebrations that have nothing to do with Christ. As many acknowledge, Christ was born in the autumn, not in the dead of winter. I choose rather to observe Holy Days that God originally gave to Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings. Israel, and were observed by the apostles and the early Church.
These Holy Days foreshadow major events in the plan of God (Colossians 2:16-17) of which Christ is the central figure, in addition to their historical meanings. The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. prophesies that the seventh day Sabbath and Feast of Tabernacles will be observed by all nations in the coming kingdom of God ruled by Jesus Christ (Isaiah 66:23; Zechariah 14:16-19).
Although the United Church of God is not the only Christian church organization that maintains this doctrinal position, I of course realize that my belief and practice regarding Holy Day/holiday observance represents a minority view in the world today. I am familiar with the reasons people give for continuing to observe these days, despite the facts that I outlined above. I do not envision mainstream Christianity jettisoning these holidays in the foreseeable future.
Despite my doctrinal position, I respect the right of everyone to celebrate or not celebrate Christmas without fear of reprisal. I also appreciate the constitutional right of freedom of speech that enables me to articulate my belief for the cause of better understanding these differences. I have always been tolerant of the ever-present customs of Christmas that predominate our culture this time of year. Most of those who do not observe Christmas because of religious belief quietly go about our daily lives without demanding removal of the religious symbols of Christmas.
However, what is the legal or logical basis for allowing Christmas customs and symbols in the classrooms and courtrooms? Does this not constitute a violation of the principle of separation of Church and state? Why are Christmas decorations and celebrations allowed in school when other forms of religious expression are strictly banned? Why is voluntary prayer banned in schools when congressional sessions begin with prayer?
Ironically, the new governor of California was sworn into office by the longstanding custom of placing his left hand on the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. only days after the Ten Commandments monument was forcibly removed from the courthouse in Alabama. Subsequently, Judge Moore was removed from office as punishment for insisting on his constitutional right to display a "religious symbol" because it allegedly violates the principle of separation of church and state.
He and his supporters understandably ask, what law did he break? So what if some people were offended by it. Why should some of us have to be tolerant of religious expression while others can bully their way around in violation of the religious rights of others? Is that not a more flagrant violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"?
Why this seeming contradiction? Christmas celebration is fun. Kids are out of school. Businesses close, employees get time off. Families get together. It offers a boost to the economy. On the other hand, the Ten Commandments contains several bluntly stated "thou shalt nots" that run counter to human nature that "does not submit to God's law" (Romans 8:7).
The Ten Commandments have played an instrumental role in the history and legal structure of the United States from the very beginning. Not so with Christmas, which was banned by the early Puritan settlers for the same reasons that I and many others do not observe the holiday today. Over the years Christmas has become firmly entrenched, while the Ten Commandments have been downplayed and even rejected in our society and in much of Christianity.
