It's not a law -- it's a House resolution, which was passed 372-9 and which
reads as follows:
Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other
cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the
United States and the world;
Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States,
making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American
population;
Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world,
making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about
one-third of the world population;
Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development
of western civilization;
Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the
traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points
observers back to its Judeo-Christian roots;
Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe
Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;
Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's
redemption, mercy, and Grace; and
Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the
rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of
the world;
(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States
and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical
importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and
Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the
western civilization;
(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians,
both in the United States and worldwide; and
(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and
Christians throughout the world.
Attest:
Clerk.
The most interesting thing about it is that it originally included one further
"whereas" clause, later removed for obvious reasons:
"Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation
from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit
themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy
Bible."
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Susan Freiman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> This just came to me from an atheists' list. Is it true?
>
> Susan
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
>
> *PRESS RELEASE*
> *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
> *The Council for Secular Humanism Chides Congress for Disrespecting
> Religions
> *
> (December 14, 2007) -- Experts from the Council for Secular Humanism
> noted with alarm the passage of H. Res. 847 in the House of
> Representatives. This unnecessary, unwarranted, and bigoted law, under
> the misleading title "Recognizing the Importance of Christm as and the
> Christian Faith" passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support
> It effectively undermines the sort of religious tolerance necessary in
> these changing times.
>
> Just days ago in the midst of the Jewish Festival of Lights, four Jewish
> men in New York City were attacked on the subway for replying to a
> group of ten people who wished them a "Merry Christmas" with a similar
> greeting: "Happy Hanukkah. For this, these men were first insulted,
> then beaten. It was a Muslim man who came to their physical defense.
> The actions of the Congress, by passing the resolution and thus
> expressing preference to the Christian faith over all the others
> represented by the diverse population of these United States ,
> encourages this sort of behavior.
>
> The First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty, and of the
> nonestablishment of religion, was devised to create a secular state in
> which all religions would be equally tolerated and none given
> preference. The language of the House resolution effectively undermines
> the design of the Founders, and creates an atmosphere where
> non-Christians will continue to be targeted, treated like second-class
> citizens, and even become victims of violence like those four Jewish
> subway riders in New York .
>
> Paul Kurtz , CSH chair, stated, "It is deplorable that in this day and
> age and in light of violence against religious minorities here in the
> United States that the Congress would stoke those flames with
> preferential language in support of a single religion." David Koepsell
> , CSH's executive director, noted, "Te First Amendment Guarantee was
> designed to prevent the sort of religious intolerance that resulted in
> violence in Europe, and our Congress should respect the intent of the
> Founders."
>
> We call on the Congress to reject this resolution, to stand up for
> religious freedom, secularism, and pluralism, and to foster a climate in
> which all believers and nonbelievers alike are treated equally.
> __._,_.___
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