Town Renames "Good Friday" for the sake of "Cultural Sensitivity"

[Ikari]

Whenever you hear a liberal talking about cultural diversity and sensitivity it normally means something insensitive is about to happen to Christians.

The latest case in point: Bloomington, Indiana - the home of Indiana University and a nesting place for a gaggle of intolerant liberals.

Mayor John Hamilton recently announced that are renaming two paid holidays for city workers -- in an effort to respect "differing cultures."

Columbus Day will henceforth be known as "Fall Holiday" and Good Friday will be known as "Spring Holiday."
Town Renames "Good Friday" for the sake of "Cultural Sensitivity" — Todd Starnes

OK, it's a bit silly I'd say, but are you offended that local governments make decisions for themselves or that perhaps this community felt better off with the change? it's their decision and in the end, while it's silly and wasted effort, it's just a name change by government. The People can call it whatever they desire.

 

[eohrnberger]

. . .
Of course it's not a flawed argument. It's not about removing "something", it's about removing special privileges
. . . .

I think you've just defeated your own argument here. These alleged special privileges are being removed, yet you don't acknowledge this fact?

I think that's a fail.

 

[Ikari]

So what's the issue with continue calling it Christmas?

The generic and meaningless 'Winter Solstice' which takes away from the point of the holiday, which is the birth of Jesus Christ. A man, which has historical significance, as well as being historically documented to have existed.

Magical Jesus doesn't have historical documentation, there may have been some dude named Jesus around that time that fit the places. But there's no evidence of him being a god of sorts.

And it doesn't matter, does it? Keep calling it Christmas, let others call it what they want, done. It's not like Jesus was actually born on Christmas.

 

[Ockham]

Magical Jesus doesn't have historical documentation, there may have been some dude named Jesus around that time that fit the places. But there's no evidence of him being a god of sorts.

And it doesn't matter, does it? Keep calling it Christmas, let others call it what they want, done. It's not like Jesus was actually born on Christmas.

You're exactly right - some mayor changing the name makes zero difference to actual people.

 

[eohrnberger]

. . . .
No it's not, because I'm not anti-tradition. What I am is anti-discrimination. You, on the other hand, seem to have no problem with governmental discrimination so long as it favors you.
. . .

dis·crim·i·na·tion
dəˌskriməˈnāSH(ə)n/
noun
noun: discrimination; plural noun: discriminations

• 1. the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
  "victims of racial discrimination"
  

  synonyms:

  prejudice, bias, bigotry, intolerance, narrow-mindedness, unfairness, inequity, favoritism, one-sidedness, partisanship; Moresexism, chauvinism, misogyny, racism, racialism, anti-Semitism, heterosexism, ageism, classism, casteism; historical apartheid "racial discrimination"

  antonyms:

  impartiality

• 2. recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another.
  "discrimination between right and wrong"

I don't think you've got a case for discrimination here. No one is prohibiting anyone from celebrating anything they want to celebrate. Doing so would in fact be a case for discrimination. Since the existing situation does not do this, where's your case?

If you look at definition #2, there is a recognition here that Easter is different than 'Spring Holiday', and that 'Christmas' is different than 'Winter Solstice'.

 

[blackjack50]

It's not a legitimate one.
It wasn't change for the sake of change. It was change to remove the name of a man who simply wasn't a very good man, nor did he really do what we give him credit for, from a day celebrated by all Americans.

It wasn't change for the sake of change.

So it isnt bull****? Because the day makes some people sad. Ok. So do you propose we rename the city of Columbus, Ohio? If you can honestly tell me that one is ok, but not the other...then you are making a fuss over nothing.

You think deciding not to honor a terrible person is political correctness? So if there's a push to honor Joseph Stalin, and people come out against it, they are being politically correct?

Not to Americans. :shrug:

Again. Establishing the first permanent contact with the New World...that is important to the entire globe. Not just the United States.

Hell, if I remember correctly, Columbus would deny for years he hadn't reached Asia. And considering his actions when he did reach land, it's not exactly hard to understand why some people might feel he's not the best man to have a day named after him.

Irrelevant. Recognizing the importance of what he did is all that matters.

You want a comparison? If we sent men to the moon right now and that directly led to the establishment of permanent livable conditions on the moon...would that be important? See. In your attempt to be politically correct you have already tried denying that Columbus is unimportant in the grand scheme of things. That is a pure fabrication.



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[eohrnberger]

Magical Jesus doesn't have historical documentation, there may have been some dude named Jesus around that time that fit the places. But there's no evidence of him being a god of sorts.

And it doesn't matter, does it? Keep calling it Christmas, let others call it what they want, done. It's not like Jesus was actually born on Christmas.

OK. I stand corrected on that point.

You're exactly right - some mayor changing the name makes zero difference to actual people.

So why not just leave it alone already? Why needlessly piss off people? The people that happen to be the statistical majority of the population.

 

[mike2810]

My take on this thread.
- You can't please everyone.
- If you don't like a position a person takes, your intolerant to that view.
- Some do not accept tradition and want to change away from it. While others accept and want to continue tradition.
- Historical context of why a Holiday exists is ignored.
- Funny how the Christmas holiday is challenged by what if we only celebrated Muslim holidays. No mention of Jews, and other faiths.

If you don't like any of the federal Holidays, then don't celebrate the day, don't take the time off, and try to be tolerant of those who do. Being in the "older" group of posters on this forum, it is a shame the direction the USA is heading. While some things are better, I personally believe the country is socially worse off now than when I was growing up.

 

[Ockham]

- Funny how the Christmas holiday is challenged by what if we only celebrated Muslim holidays. No mention of Jews, and other faiths.

Good post. One thought on the above: If Christians weren't the "turn the other cheek" types and instead, would be the direct opposite and call for violence and perpetuate violence on those who threatened to change their views and religions, such a change would never see the light of day. I guess my point is, Christians are easy targets because they don't fight back, they just take it, so it's a safe and easy pandering ploy.

 

[Ockham]

So why not just leave it alone already? Why needlessly piss off people? The people that happen to be the statistical majority of the population.

Mike2810's observation and my comment about it answers that. See post #84 which probably answers it.

 

[Slyfox696]

I think you've just defeated your own argument here. These alleged special privileges are being removed, yet you don't acknowledge this fact?

Removing special privileges is not an attack. It's not that "something" is being removed, as I said. It's that special privileges are being removed. That's not an attack.

I think that's a fail.

Because...you think being treated as equal is an attack? No, that's not a fail at all.

I don't think you've got a case for discrimination here.

Sure I do. You want favoritism for Christianity over all others.

Also, I'm still awaiting an answer from you. I'll ask the questions again:

Would you be okay with government only recognizing Islamic traditions and culture? Would you be okay with renaming Good Friday Infallible Pope Day?

So it isnt bull****?

Huh? It's not ridiculous to rename a holiday. It IS ridiculous to act offended about it and then accuse others of whining.

So do you propose we rename the city of Columbus, Ohio?

I didn't propose renaming Columbus Day to Fall Holiday. I'm just pointing out it's logical to do so and the amount of whining about it is absurd.

 

[faithful_servant]

That is why I suggested the use of Julian day but somebody will eventually find that term not sufficiently PC as well.

"Julian"??? You're just one of those Roman-centric types that want everyone bowing down at the altar of Zeus!!!

:mrgreen:

 

[ttwtt78640]

"Julian"??? You're just one of those Roman-centric types that want everyone bowing down at the altar of Zeus!!!

:mrgreen:

Yep, we have a severe vocabulary problem which must be addressed.

The bottom line, getting paid for 10 special days to shop, party and otherwise spend money, must never refer to any non-secular reasons for selection of those days.

 

[Ikari]

Christians are easy targets because they don't fight back, they just take it, so it's a safe and easy pandering ploy.

Not sure history quite agrees with that one. In fact, even today as a "Christian nation", we're bombing the crap out of all sorts of folk. Those aren't just atheists and muslims out there fighting the wars.

 

[maquiscat]

Whenever you hear a liberal talking about cultural diversity and sensitivity it normally means something insensitive is about to happen to Christians.

The latest case in point: Bloomington, Indiana - the home of Indiana University and a nesting place for a gaggle of intolerant liberals.

Mayor John Hamilton recently announced that are renaming two paid holidays for city workers -- in an effort to respect "differing cultures."

Columbus Day will henceforth be known as "Fall Holiday" and Good Friday will be known as "Spring Holiday."
Town Renames "Good Friday" for the sake of "Cultural Sensitivity" — Todd Starnes

Wah! No government entity is under any obligation to recognize any religious holiday. I noticed that they all call Samhien by Halloween stead of its proper religious name.

 

[Ockham]

Not sure history quite agrees with that one. In fact, even today as a "Christian nation", we're bombing the crap out of all sorts of folk. Those aren't just atheists and muslims out there fighting the wars.

Historically you're right, Christians were a violent bunch in the middle ages. However I'm not sure "Christian" can be bound to National interest in bombing terrorists - be they any other religion or even the same religion. My point was more domestically focused, saying that a politician can in their small town, change "Christmas" to "Non De-script Winter Holiday" because it's a relatively safe act - Christians may whine and moan in the papers, but the politician won't be killed because of such an actions with Christians.

 

[Ikari]

Historically you're right, Christians were a violent bunch in the middle ages. However I'm not sure "Christian" can be bound to National interest in bombing terrorists - be they any other religion or even the same religion. My point was more domestically focused, saying that a politician can in their small town, change "Christmas" to "Non De-script Winter Holiday" because it's a relatively safe act - Christians may whine and moan in the papers, but the politician won't be killed because of such an actions with Christians.

In general, that's how America is to be because we're civilized. Every group gets defeated sometime, someplace, and we don't pick up guns and start shooting each other over it. We accept it and move on because we are a nation of laws and to remain civilized means that while we may not like an outcome, that mostly we're going to have to accept it. If, for instance, a town upholds the name for Christmas holiday or whatever, the atheists aren't going to start a revolt either. I think it's more a sign of national civility than anything else.

In the end, I'm not really even sure it matters that much, right? Who cares what it's called. I'm fine with calling it Christmas break or whatever you want, so long as I get some days off too. What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

 

[Sardonicus]

I was a civil servant for half of my working years and I never got the day off. When I went parochial school, I did get them off.
All this is doing is short changing Christians for the sack of appeasing minorities.

liberals are real good at appeasement.

None the less in the USA the majority of adults that get those days "off" as holidays are largely employed as civil servants. Though I suppose a big chunk might also be teachers at parochial schools.

Right...as long as everyone tap dances around your religion, you have no problem. Not surprisingly you still haven't answered my question.

Would you be okay with government only recognizing Islamic traditions and culture? Would you be okay with renaming Good Friday Infallible Pope Day?

When you realize why you wouldn't be okay with that, then you'll realize why your argument is holds no water.

The argument that the rest of society in the US must 'tap dance' around and extend 'special privileges' to poor malcontents owing to so called "cultural sensitivity" is what holds no water. Certainly some malcontent's bigotry towards Christianity is not actually engaging in sensitivity, rather the opposite. Nor is it being particularly sensitive to the history of this country and Italian Americans to pedantically insist that a holiday named for the first European explorer to discover this country be renamed so as not to require said poor malcontent to 'tap dance' around the rest of us, er our so called religon. No no, we must 'tap dance' around what triggers them. Add to that the fact that in this case the malcontents want to keep getting these days "off" and be paid for them? Now you have hypocrisy added to that pablum too. Since you asked, this country was not founded by Islamic peoples, so of course the chances are pretty strong that rational adults won't think that recognizing only Islamic traditions would be OK. We've gotten pretty far down the rabbit hole in the US of late, but we have not quite reached the level of sheer idiocy you just suggested. Why in 2016 should the rest of society have to 'tap dance' around our cultural history because it triggers malcontent's religious bigotry and hypocrisy? No thanks. You are left weakly arguing that giving employees of a city two paid holidays off, is insisting they tap dance around someone's, anyone's religion. Which is hilarious, only on the internet can you see someone claim being granted a paid holiday off from work is tantamount to asking them to engage in a tap dance. :screwy

 

[eohrnberger]

My take on this thread.
- You can't please everyone.
- If you don't like a position a person takes, your intolerant to that view.
- Some do not accept tradition and want to change away from it. While others accept and want to continue tradition.
- Historical context of why a Holiday exists is ignored.
- Funny how the Christmas holiday is challenged by what if we only celebrated Muslim holidays. No mention of Jews, and other faiths.

If you don't like any of the federal Holidays, then don't celebrate the day, don't take the time off, and try to be tolerant of those who do. Being in the "older" group of posters on this forum, it is a shame the direction the USA is heading. While some things are better, I personally believe the country is socially worse off now than when I was growing up.

I am in agreement with the bolded. I think we are on the wrong track here, and tend to bow far too often and far too far to the excessive-PC tyranny.

 

[shrubnose]

Whenever you hear a liberal talking about cultural diversity and sensitivity it normally means something insensitive is about to happen to Christians.

The latest case in point: Bloomington, Indiana - the home of Indiana University and a nesting place for a gaggle of intolerant liberals.

Mayor John Hamilton recently announced that are renaming two paid holidays for city workers -- in an effort to respect "differing cultures."

Columbus Day will henceforth be known as "Fall Holiday" and Good Friday will be known as "Spring Holiday."

Town Renames "Good Friday" for the sake of "Cultural Sensitivity" — Todd Starnes

They could have renamed Christmas as 'Winter Holiday' at the same time and killed 3 birds with one stone.

:lol:

 

[Henrin]

In general, that's how America is to be because we're civilized. Every group gets defeated sometime, someplace, and we don't pick up guns and start shooting each other over it. We accept it and move on because we are a nation of laws and to remain civilized means that while we may not like an outcome, that mostly we're going to have to accept it. If, for instance, a town upholds the name for Christmas holiday or whatever, the atheists aren't going to start a revolt either. I think it's more a sign of national civility than anything else.

In the end, I'm not really even sure it matters that much, right? Who cares what it's called. I'm fine with calling it Christmas break or whatever you want, so long as I get some days off too. What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

At some point you either have to stand up and demand the other side stop or just decide that everything you believe in is worth losing. It's up to personal opinion where that line in the sand is, but if you decide there isn't a line in the sand then you might as well stand for nothing.

 

[Ikari]

At some point you either have to stand up and demand the other side stop or just decide that everything you believe in is worth losing.

Is the government calling its break over the Christmas holiday "winter break" or something non-religious like that really causing you to lose your belief? I mean, if your belief is pegged to government definitions, you may be in for a rough ride.

 

[Henrin]

Is the government calling its break over the Christmas holiday "winter break" or something non-religious like that really causing you to lose your belief? I mean, if your belief is pegged to government definitions, you may be in for a rough ride.

I'm saying that if you really believe in something politically then at some point there should be a breaking point where you refuse to budge. That point can be quite literally anywhere for someone since it is entirely subjective where it is drawn.

 

[Sardonicus]

Is the government calling its break over the Christmas holiday "winter break" or something non-religious like that really causing you to lose your belief? I mean, if your belief is pegged to government definitions, you may be in for a rough ride.

And conversely speaking, why is calling the equally secular and religious holiday known as Christmas for centuries Christmas causing the small but vocal minority triggered by that to lose their what? Beliefs? Minds? Inner peace? Since those who are triggered by the name of the Christmas holiday are in the vast minority in this country, why should the rest of the majority be held hostage to the psychological issues of these anti Christmas types? Who are actually the people claiming to be losing something, indeed somehow hurt or wounded by calling Christmas Christmas. :shock:

 

[Ikari]

I'm saying that if you really believe in something politically then at some point there should be a breaking point where you refuse to budge. That point can be quite literally anywhere for someone since it is entirely subjective where it is drawn.

As it relates to this topic, this seems to be the government definition of government recognized holiday. Must the government call it Christmas or your beliefs are being thrown out?

There is a breaking point, but that should be along the lines of something real. Like if the government forbade people from saying Christmas in general. That's a bridge too far, but it deals with government force against free speech. The government calling something Winter Break or whatever in no way, shape, or form exerts government force against you that would prevent you from saying Christmas, right?

So this is all ado about nothing. Some jerks don't want Christmas, other jerks want Christmas, but in the end it doesn't matter what the government calls it so long as you're free to refer to it and practice it as you see fit.