Thanksgiving, whether or not it had pure roots, should be a time when we reflect and appreciate the blessings we have. We live in the most blessed nation in the world, yet, we act like a bunch of spoiled rotten brats. I guess that's what happens though. When everything is handed to you or your demands are met in the name of political correctness, you tend to become spoiled and complacent.
Why are our holidays under attack? Because Americans get there way...or do they? Why does it seem that it's only a small handfull of people who want to change everything? Oh that's right, it's because all the honest, hard working Americans are to busy....well working.
Christmas has both Christian and non-Christian roots. Why then should there be an issue? As a Christian, I am not offended when someone comes up to me and says "Happy Hanukkah". I am offended as an American when I can't say "Merry Christmas". If you don't want to celebrate the Holiday, then don't, but leave the rest of us alone.
This craziness over the Separation of Church and state is under false pretenses anyway. After all, the Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." It only prohibits Congress from establishing AND prohibiting ANY religion for ANY reason. However, it does not prohibit a STATE from declaring a state-wide religion or respecting any such holiday. And, as a matter of fact, it doesn't prohibit congress from acknowledging any such Holiday either.
So what if a Holiday has a Religious history!? Is it really going to hurt you if I call it Christmas? Is it going to kill you for me to say "God bless you"? I teach my students to respect the differences in people, but I shouldn't have to tell them "at the expense of your own beliefs".
We're only a few steps away from changing the first amendment. Is that what we want?
To all of you, Happy Thanksgiving!