Today is a holiday in Colombia known as Day of the Little Candles. People line the streets with candles and lanterns to kick off the Christmas season in celebration of the immaculate conception. One local told me it was to lighten the way for Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem.
Last year we went to Lac Lafarge in Coquitlam to see all the Christmas lights. It was nice but I noticed something specific. There wasn't a single nativity, Angel, star, nothing religious whatsoever. They are intentionally removing Christ from Christmas. I noticed that other countries especially in Central America still celebrate the religious holiday.
I'm all for religious freedom. Here we celebrate Vasaki, Ramadan, Dwiali, diversity make us strong. That means we're allowed to celebrate Christmas. One of the mistakes the British made in Ireland was trying to ban the Catholic religion. That caused an instant knee jerk reaction.
People who never attended mass all of a sudden said I can attend mass if I want to. As soon as you try and take something away from someone they get agitated. I remember when I was first surrounded by Muslim neighbors I thought well I can still celebrate Santa because that's not religiously offensive.
Everyone likes Santa. Yet even Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet. The historical record of Christ was confirmed by Josephus. Our modern calendar revolves around his birth and death. I'll admit there are a lot of things about religion and some forms of Christianity that I don't like but as I keep saying religious freedom is important.
Religious freedom is the first thing they take away before they take away all your other freedoms. So celebrating the religious aspect of Christmas is still OK. Bringing back spirituality to a materialistic world helps keep things in perspective. Immigration helps us remember that. Let's not forget in the last US election Black Conservatives saved America from White liberals. They're better Christians than we are.
Thank God. At least you didn't go on and on about your daughters supposably Columbian friend.
ReplyDeleteMy son in law is Colombian you f*cking idiot.
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