Come on, Clog. You can do better than that. Your first argument is an example of the semantic fallacy. By that logic, you should be arrested for being a lady-killer. ;-) There's also a hint of the genetic fallacy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_fallacy
You'll notice I don't deny that Christmas is a religious holiday. I deny that it is "entirely" so. In fact, I suspect that the secular aspect of Christmas is larger than the religous these days. The Free Exercise Clause is equal to (not subordinate to) the Establishment Clause. (Santa Clause is bigger than both, of course.) If the rationale behind government closure is this: "the government acknowledges Jesus as Lord and encourages all citizens to celebrate his birth," that would be unconstitutional. If, on the other hand, the rationale is more like this: "the government is constitutionally obligated to respect the people's right to exercise religion. Most of our religious employees are Christians who celebrate Christmas. Most of our non-religious employees still have cherished family traditions on these days. So, we've decided it's easier to just close shop rather than try to find people like Clogtowner to hold down the fort for us," then that's perfectly constitutional. The fact that people can visit their friends and families on other days is irrelevant. Millions of families, religous and secular, have a tradition of gathering on Christmas. So many, in fact, that the government continues to cater to their wishes. You'd almost suspect we live in a democracy! Aaron On Sep 1, 2:37 pm, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi y'all - Aha! an argument at last, albeit devoid of foundation. > > >Your assertion that Christmas is > > "entirely a religious holiday" is patently absurd > > If it is absurd, why is it officially called "Christmas Day." How can > christmas day be described any other way than religious? If it is > secular, why not give it a secular name and choose a day other than > "Jesus' Birthday?" > > > Taking time off work to visit family or participate in family traditions > > Does this have to be performed on a religious holiday? Aren't there > 364 other possibilties? I contend that by voluntarily participating, > one not only condones but encourages the pernicious practice. > > <Your understanding of church-state separation disallows the closing > of government offices on days that have religious > significance. My understanding does not necessarily disallow it. > > How can you possibly affirm that a mandatory closing down of the > Government, requiring compliance from most other businesses, on a > Christian holiday, is not promoting a religion? A clear breach of the > first Amendment! Please clarify how your understanding does not > disallow it. > > < So, your Christmas rituals > > I submit that I do not have Christmas rituals. I try to live out the > day as I would normally - eating out, shopping, lustful gazes at the > opposite sex. The wall that the Government erects in the name of > Christianity tries to prevent me. If you can suggest a simpler > normality on that special day, I'll be happy to hear it. Don't tell me > to turn on the TV or radio. Perhaps I should hide in the closet - but > that wouldn't be normal. > > Nevertheless - I'll be happy to share the brandy with you in a > suitable location. > > On Sep 1, 1:35 pm, Aaron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Well, Clogtowner, I think you've carefully chosen a definition of > > "observe" that fits your bias. Your assertion that Christmas is > > "entirely a religious holiday" is patently absurd. Taking time off > > work to visit family or participate in family traditions does not make > > anyone a "hypocritical" atheist. The mere disbelief in gods requires > > nothing of us, so there's nothing to be hypocritical about! One can > > be dishonest, perhaps, by pretending to believe, but not hypocritical. > > > We can be hypocritical about other things, though - political and > > economic beliefs, for example. That's what you're really talking > > about. Your understanding of church-state separation disallows the > > closing of government offices on days that have religious > > significance. My understanding does not necessarily disallow it. > > Your economic and social beliefs prefer businesses that stay open on > > religious holidays. Not so much with me. > > > So, your Christmas rituals are consistent with your political, social > > and economic beliefs. Mine are, too. We just have (slightly) > > different beliefs about those things. Logically speaking, atheism has > > nothing to do with it. Even religious people could share our > > political positions. > > > If you want to talk politics, though, we have to bring out the brandy. > > > Aaron --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
