War Against Christmas 2004 Competition [XVIII]: Happy Chanukah To Rabbi Lapin!

Credit Where Credit is Due [James Fulford]

Rabbi Daniel Lapin, of Toward Tradition, has posted a list of Jewish writers who defend Christmas freedoms. I think we can give more than one cheer for Rabbi Lapin, who earlier this year also defended Mel Gibson, and wish him a Happy Chanukah.

A Jew wishes a "Merry Christmas" by Jeff Jacoby
"Most Americans, whatever their faith, would regard an ornamented tree as a beautiful demonstration of true Christmas spirit. But to some, its presence on city property is a matter of "injustice and inequality." That is the voice of antireligious fanaticism -- what Rabbi Daniel Lapin, the Orthodox Jewish founder of Toward Tradition, calls "secular fundamentalism."

Jews for Christmas! by Barry Farber
"I have a dream – “Jews For Christmas,” a vigorous movement of American Jews rising up to make sure nobody pushes around those Christians whose ancestors decided, for the first time in history, to make a unique wonderland like America, where nobody gets pushed around because of his God-loving ways. Before you other Jews rush to join me, let me warn you: This movement will be EXTREMIST."

Religious Freedom is for Everyone- Not Just Minorities by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
"I don't think that America's Jewish community does itself any long term good by denouncing every public expression of Christian faith as if it were a force-fed dose of castor oil. This anti-Christianism is not only unhealthy for all Americans; I think it is particularly destructive for Jews to be leading the extirpation of all signs of Christian fervor from the village square."

Just Leave Christmas Alone by Charles Krauthammer
"The attempts to de-Christianize Christmas are as absurd as they are relentless. The United States today is the most tolerant and diverse society in history... more than 80 percent of Americans are Christian, and probably 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas. Christmas Day is... the only day of the entire year when the Smithsonian museums are closed. Are we to pretend that Christmas is nothing but an orgy of commerce in celebration of... what? The winter solstice?"

And a couple more in the same strain:

Keep Bing Crosby in Christmas by Jackie Mason & Raoul Felder

Keeping Christ in Christmas, by Diana West (12/20)

”I don't get it -- and I'm Jewish.”

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