I find the underlying assumption that the default state is Christian troubling. I feel the same way when I’m wished a cheerful, peppy “Merry Christmas” by the cashier at the grocery store. It’s not a huge deal. I don’t expect that there’s anything to be done to solve the problem, or even if there is a problem. I just know that it makes me squirmy.
Apparently, it’s Not Allowed to say so out loud, though. If you do, you may be told that your discomfort indicates that you’re bitter, insensitive, uncivilized, unhappy, and intolerant, or that it means you want to kill the baby Jesus. You may even be told that most Americans are Christian, so if you don’t want to celebrate Christmas, you don’t belong here, so you should move to another country. No matter that you are an American citizen and you have every right to stay right where you are, and to voice your discomfort in ALL CAPS. Because, my understanding is that it’s not okay to dictate how other people feel, and that’s what the entire exchange came down to. I felt uncomfortable about something, and was told that I have no right to feel that way. Talk about a ridiculous response!
Another thing I find troubling is the insistence, by some folks, that non-Christians should just go ahead and celebrate Christmas because it’s the season and everybody else is doing it. Why the pressure to take part in what then amounts to a secular holiday?
And all because I had the nerve to say that I felt uncomfortable when people assume that everyone else is automagically Christian. The mind wobbles.
red paper boat 