Latest letter to the newspaper

Mr. Boer wrote a letter to the local newspaper with a Christian sermon and ended with the comment that "Jesus truly is the reason for the season." So I had to reply.

Re: Reason for the Season by Richard Boer

I would like to first take this opportunity to thank Mr. Boer for mentioning the American Atheists and their billboard, which reads, "You know it's a myth. This season celebrate reason." While you may believe that Jesus truly is the "reason" for the season Mr. Boer, a quick "goggle" search of "Christmas" will show that the Christians don't have the corner on the reason for Christmas.

The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the invention of Christianity. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals or parades with carolers who sing while going from house to house, holiday feasts, and church processionals can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.

Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. Their 12-day celebration called Zagmuk was in support of their main god Marduk in his battle against the monsters of chaos. Roman Emperor Constantine, who was a follower of Mithraism before he converted to Christianity, is credited with the merging of Mithraism and Christianity. While there is no scriptural evidence of a specific date for the birth of Christ, in 319 AD Emperor Constantine took it upon himself to declare December 25th as the date, which was also the date of the birth of Mirthra, and coincided with the pagan celebration of the winter solstice. Sounds like a true politician trying to please as many people as possible.

It's interesting to note that the early American Puritans who settled in the Boston Mass. area outlawed the celebration of Christmas from their arrival to America in 1680 well into the mid 1850's because they felt that one defiled oneself by paying homage to a pagan custom, and thought the birth of Christ occurred in September or October.

So you can see that a little bit of knowledge can add to the richness of many holiday traditions.

So I say to one and all, go out and enjoy what ever your family traditions for this holiday season may be. Wishing someone "happy holidays" shouldn't be made out to be an atheist slam on Christmas, but an acknowledgment of the diversity of our great nation and the variety of celebrations during this holiday season.

Happy Holidays to one and all!!!