NYT Editorial Offends Christians
Bruce Tomaso, in The Dallas Morning News Religion blog, tells us about The New York Times Christmas Day editorial that fails to mention Jesus. Instead, it focuses on de-emphasizing consumerism and reducing the carbon footprint of the holiday. Predictably, knee-jerk conservatives criticized the editorial. Reader "joe bailey hyden" called it an "absurdity" and says "the ny times is the epitome of sophisticated religious bigotry against observant christians."
The reaction to the NYT editorial is evidence of a shift in conservative Christian attitudes regarding Christmas. The editorial calls on Americans to leave the material Christmas behind. In years gone by, you might think conservative Christians would cheer the development. In the past, they had a two-step program for restoring the religious holiday. First, de-emphasize the commercial nature of Christmas, the advertising, the shopping, the gift-buying. Second, put Christ back in Christmas.
Lately, however, conservatives have dropped their opposition to consumerism. They don't object to department stores' lavish displays and extended hours and sales, sales, sales. What they object to is sales clerks wishing shoppers "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Conservative Christians want to tighten the link between consumerism and Christmas.
So, the NYT committed two sins. First, they criticized consumerism. Second, they didn't pay proper respect to the reason for the consumerism, Jesus Christ. Irony abounds in this season of joy.
The Source of Happiness
The day after Christmas, Bruce Tomaso chose for the quote of the day on The Dallas Morning News Religion blog this wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself."
Reader "Dale," the Bible-quoting, self-identified true Christian, dismisses Emerson with, "Emerson would have fit in well with today's modern society. Its all about me and my happiness".
Reader "Asinus Gravis" finds the reaction ironic.
"Even more odd, not to say self-contradictory, is to be lectured about avoiding thinking 'its all about me' by someone who stresses how supremely important it is that I should seek and secure MY OWN salvation while I have the chance in this life, so I can avoid receiving MY just punishment in the hereafter."Jesus is usually thought of as stressing selflessness, giving up one's worldly goods, putting the last first, doing unto the least of one's brethren. Yet, the followers of Jesus have somehow subverted this message into putting foremost and almost exclusively the notion that securing one's own eternal salvation is what it's all about. Doing good works won't do it. Having a large carbon footprint won't deny it. In fact, conservative Christians imply that you can have it all, material possessions and eternal salvation, too. Saying "Merry Christmas" with Jesus in your heart is all it takes.
Somehow, I believe that Jesus and Emerson would both suggest that material possessions are not only insufficient for salvation or happiness, but the pursuit of material possessions is a distraction, a barrier, to what brings true fulfillment. It's Christians like "Dale" who have lost the true message of Jesus and fail to understand Emerson at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment