Churches closed for Xmas??????

[Libertarian]

I can't believe my eyes. Religious zealots claim there is a war on Christmas. And where they used to bemoan the commercialization of Christmas, now they are demanding it by threatening to boycott Target and other stores if they say "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas."

But wait! The extremists who want to ensure that RETAILERS keep the day holy are unable to ensure that CHURCHES do the same?! My irony meter is broken. From the link below:

This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country. Even though the holiday falls this year on a Sunday, when churches normally host thousands for worship, pastors are canceling services, anticipating low attendance on what they call a family day.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CLOSED_ON_CHRISTMAS?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[stamenflicker]

I can't believe my eyes. Religious zealots claim there is a war on Christmas. And where they used to bemoan the commercialization of Christmas, now they are demanding it by threatening to boycott Target and other stores if they say "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas."

But wait! The extremists who want to ensure that RETAILERS keep the day holy are unable to ensure that CHURCHES do the same?! My irony meter is broken. From the link below:

This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country. Even though the holiday falls this year on a Sunday, when churches normally host thousands for worship, pastors are canceling services, anticipating low attendance on what they call a family day.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CLOSED_ON_CHRISTMAS?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I was part of the decision to keep our church doors closed on Christmas, although I'm not one to boycott anything or bemoan whatever the complaint of the day is in Christian circles. Still, we didn't close up so people could go shopping.

It was a tough choice, cause on the one hand you want people to spend the holidays with their families, but on the other hand, some people have no family-- or their family is far away, and coming to church is as close (or as "closed") as they get to experiencing it. We made a list of these folks and are giving them invites to local homes.

I personally see no problem in closing up, since the first Christmas (that wasn't even in December) was mostly a family affair according to tradition. Besides that, what kid would want to put down all his new stuff and come here a sermon or a prayer? Talk about growing up to hate church...

Flick