12/20/07:Why Are Government Offices Closed On Christmas Eve? - Daniel J. "Jim" Guilfoil
Why Are Government Offices Closed On Christmas Eve?
The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: A9
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Dear Editor: Monona and Madison close their governmental offices and libraries to the public on Christmas Eve. Why? As a citizen I want access to my public services unless there is a good explanation for their closing. I understand Christmas Day and the Sunday Sabbath as Christian customs and accept them as such. Christmas Eve is not customarily closed in other public places, offices, banks, universities.
Christian exceptionalism seems unnecessary in the U.S., where religious pluralism is not only tolerated but encouraged. I fear that political candidates are using the God of the Bible as exceptional in the U.S. With personal liberties threatened today, is religion becoming a shibboleth to instill fear in non-Christians and appeal to Christianity as patriotic? Are the schools abetting this prejudice by teaching that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation?
The slogan that the Abrahamic religions believe in the same God is simply false when examined with some study. The trinity is not accepted by many "Christians," and surely not among Jews and Muslims. Educated young people should be able to question such slogans and refuse to be told such things.
Thank the gods that the police and fire departments continue to be available to the public on Christmas Eve.
Daniel J. "Jim" Guilfoil, Monona
The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: A9
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Dear Editor: Monona and Madison close their governmental offices and libraries to the public on Christmas Eve. Why? As a citizen I want access to my public services unless there is a good explanation for their closing. I understand Christmas Day and the Sunday Sabbath as Christian customs and accept them as such. Christmas Eve is not customarily closed in other public places, offices, banks, universities.
Christian exceptionalism seems unnecessary in the U.S., where religious pluralism is not only tolerated but encouraged. I fear that political candidates are using the God of the Bible as exceptional in the U.S. With personal liberties threatened today, is religion becoming a shibboleth to instill fear in non-Christians and appeal to Christianity as patriotic? Are the schools abetting this prejudice by teaching that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation?
The slogan that the Abrahamic religions believe in the same God is simply false when examined with some study. The trinity is not accepted by many "Christians," and surely not among Jews and Muslims. Educated young people should be able to question such slogans and refuse to be told such things.
Thank the gods that the police and fire departments continue to be available to the public on Christmas Eve.
Daniel J. "Jim" Guilfoil, Monona
Submitted by wnpj on Wed, 01/16/2008 - 2:11pm.