THE EDITOR, Sir:
There is a great deal of stupidity being propagated today in the name of political correctness. Foremost on this long list of
idiocy is the concerted action plan to replace 'Merry Christmas' with the meaningless term: 'happy
holiday.' This objectionable trend is not only a social and cultural aberration, but a downright
religious abomination.
In view of this misguided and offensive trend, the Canadian brand of Christianity is fast becoming the most wishy-washy, wimpish-like religion in the entire world.
No other religion in Canada, or in any other country, would ever change the religious character of its long-standing tradition. Yet, many Canadians are going out of their way to demonstrate their so-called tolerance for other religions. This is the most phoney gesture that I have ever encountered.
Nowhere is this gesture more demonstrable than in the Canadian public school system where Christmas is no longer celebrated in a meaningful way. This is certainly a sad state of affairs, for the birth of Christ is the distinguishing and defining feature of Christianity.
Our tradition is so badly eroded that many children are not even aware that December 25 is celebrated as the birth date of Jesus Christ. A large group of Sunday School children were asked: "Whose birthday is celebrated on December 25?" The almost unanimous answer was: "Santa Claus".
Amid this depressing state of affairs, it was, therefore, refreshing that the mayor and people in the town of Oxford, Nova Scotia, had the strength of character to reaffirm their support and
deep-seated conviction for the Christian tradition.
Kudos to these forthright, courageous, and honest Nova Scotians for retaining the name 'Christmas Tree' instead of the pagan-like, and meaningless term: 'holiday tree'.
These Nova Scotians constitute the one bright spot that has illuminated the darkness that has descended upon Canada.
I hope that other like-minded Christians will follow in the footsteps of the people of Oxford.
To these faithful souls in Nova Scotia, and to all Canadians and the rest of the world, I say from the bottom of my heart: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I am, etc.,
RUPERT JOHNSON
r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca
Toronto, Canada
