Christmas Banner Has Protesters in the Pits

Christmas Banner Has Protesters in the Pits

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 15, 2011

Pitman, NJ is a quiet south Jersey borough roughly 15 miles south of Philadelphia boasting a population of just over 9,200 people. However that quiet has erupted into a din over the hanging of a sign across Broadway reading “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

According to Mayor Michael Patten, the Knights of Columbus sponsored sign has been hung for 60 years with nary a complaint. However, this year, an anonymous voice has expressed contempt for the sign saying that because the Borough fire department hung the sign and that the sign is hung on public property it is akin to an endorsement of Christianity by the Borough of Pitman.

This does not violate the Establishment Clause.

Borough attorney Brian Duffield confirmed that the sign is hung on a privately owned bank on one side and a utility pole on the other, which is also not owned by the borough.

Additionally, Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation claim that such a sign alienates and offends people of non-Christian faiths and those of no faith at all.

Once again, this is political correctness run completely amok. Christmas is a Christian holiday observing the birth of their savior Jesus Christ. Keeping Christ in Christmas is EXACTLY the correct thing to do. Show of hands: who, other than Christians, celebrates Christmas? If anyone other than Christians raised their hands, then they are enjoying the non-religious aspects Christmas has to offer – the tree, lights, decorations, egg nog and gifts.

As a non-Christian, let me assure Ms. Gaylor and the rest of her Freedom from Religion witch hunt, that I am not the least bit offended by the Knights’ sign. In fact, that is what Christmas is all about and should be revered and observed in the religious nature it was intended.

I am strong enough in my Jewish faith to neither be threatened by such a sign nor its message. I applaud its message because it hopefully will bring Christians closer to the real meaning of Christmas.

I will enjoy the lights flickering in and around my neighborhood, and not have to pay the electric bill, secure in the notion that freedom OF religion guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution will allow me to enjoy the lights flickering from my Chanukah menorah.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.