Christian Cultural Imperialism and The Phony War Against Christmas

A guest blogger post on The Bilerico Project takes up a subject that this blog has touched on frequently - the special privileges given to Christians and Christianity even though the U. S. Constitution clearly states that there shall be no established religion. No satisfied with the manner in which they steam roll over the rights of non-Christians be they Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or some other faith, on a virtually daily basis, the uber-Christians have fabricated the totally non-existent "war on Christmas." Translated, this disingenuous construct means that if Christianists cannot force other citizens to cow tow to Christian beliefs/holidays, then the Christians are alleged to be under attack. It is total bullshit, but that means nothing to the uber-Christianists who can reliably be assumed to be lying if their lips are moving. The author of the Bilerico post is Warren J. Blumenfeld, an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State University, and author of the book, "Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States." Here are so post highlights:
*
While many holidays, both religious and secular, come around this time, "Happy Holidays" is in all actuality coded language for "Merry Christmas" and "Happy (Christian) New Year." In fact, most non-Christian major holidays do not fall in December.
*
In fact, what we are experiencing is a form of Christian cultural imperialism (hegemony): a promotion of the larger Christian culture, celebrations, values, beliefs.
*
Examples of Christian cultural imperialism during the so-called "Holiday Season" are many: the constant and prolonged promotion of music, especially Christmas, by radio stations, and Christmas specials on TV throughout November and December each year; Christmas decorations (often hung at taxpayer expense) in the public square in cities and towns throughout the United States; the highly visible and widespread availability of Christian holiday decorations, greeting cards, food, and other items during Christian holiday seasons, the President and First Lady lighting the "National Christmas Tree" on the Ellipse behind the White House, and many other examples too numerous to list.
*
Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas has organized a movement to call the season what it really is, the "Christmas Season," and he asserts that businesses who display "Happy Holidays" greetings are simply stooping to "political correctness." Jeffress has created his "Grinch List" through his website to expose businesses, who he contends are taking Christ out of Christmas.
*
Simply stated, the pastor is positioning Christians as the real "victims" in the current "Happy Holidays" epoch. In his effort to purge "Happy Holidays" from modern parlance, Jeffress is attempting not only to maintain, but also to fortify Christian cultural imperialism,
*
My argument, however, focuses upon a critique of the systemic (and not necessarily individualistic) structures that promote Christian privilege and hegemony within the United States (and I would argue, many other Western countries) in the expression of "Happy Holidays" in the context of the month of December, when most cultures' major holidays do not fall in the month of December on the Gregorian calendar. I argue that the systemic structures themselves promote Christian imperialism (hegemony), in which individuals are often unwilling and even unknowing conspirators.
*
While the intent may certainly be well meaning and heartfelt, the impact may have the opposite effect.