Happy Holidays
I am always surprised when individuals are offended when some of us attempt to be inclusive and wish friends and neighbors a happy holiday instead of Merry Christmas. One day this week I again heard an assertion that we are a Christian nation. Apparently, the fact that this United States of America deliberately does not have a state religion and, in fact, has been very clear about the separation between church and state escapes many. So, does the fact that we are a nation of immigrants from many cultures, countries, and religions. It may be true that many of those who originally came to usurp the rights of those already here were coming from a tradition of Christianity. Yet, Native American had a long history of their religious beliefs and practices. Actually, even those arriving in this country had a diversity of beliefs.
One can easily identify at least 29 major religions of the world many sub categories. In my relatively small private psychotherapy practice I can identify people representing at least 5 religions as well as atheists. Only one of those religions is Christian.
Anthropologist remind me that we are a tribal species. In my own life it seems that I live in many rings of tribes. There are the folks with whom I celebrate important events and who I can call upon any time of the day or night. Then there is a larger ring which includes many more who tickle and delight my heart and tickle my mind. My gym buddies and colleagues fill up another ring. The next ring includes with those whom I have an intimate relationship but whom I see or even talk to less often and who live in various parts of the United States and the rest of the planet. Finally, there are those with whom I have connected with because of shared interests and concerns. One could say that I live in a very large village which occupies many places in the planet. In fact, if one considers the six degrees of separation and the overall interdependence of all parts of the planet the tribe to which I belong encompasses the entire universe. We live in an age in which it is easier to communicate instantly with one another. Some of us humans have always found a way to connect with a larger tribe than that which is close in proximity. When younger I and others relied on sharing via books, letter writing and radio broadcasts. There was also the “news reels” preceding the movie at the local movie theater.
We are a global community with many Gods of our individual understanding and no gods at all. We explore and celebrate our tribe in small and large circles. We use various frameworks some of which are religious.
To honor that wonderful inclusiveness let’s wish everyone a Happy Holiday. If the holiday happens to include a religious framework and a particular concept of God that is great. If it includes no God but a concept of our shared journey that is also great.
Let’s do celebrate the fact that we are a tribe and that everyone member of the tribe is important. The date might have been chosen because what some think that Jesus represented. Ironically, the Jesus with whom I am acquainted was very inclusive. I do not think Jesus would have been offended by Happy Holidays. I suspect his self-esteem was independent of whether everyone acknowledged him.
Written December 21, 2018
I am always surprised when individuals are offended when some of us attempt to be inclusive and wish friends and neighbors a happy holiday instead of Merry Christmas. One day this week I again heard an assertion that we are a Christian nation. Apparently, the fact that this United States of America deliberately does not have a state religion and, in fact, has been very clear about the separation between church and state escapes many. So, does the fact that we are a nation of immigrants from many cultures, countries, and religions. It may be true that many of those who originally came to usurp the rights of those already here were coming from a tradition of Christianity. Yet, Native American had a long history of their religious beliefs and practices. Actually, even those arriving in this country had a diversity of beliefs.
One can easily identify at least 29 major religions of the world many sub categories. In my relatively small private psychotherapy practice I can identify people representing at least 5 religions as well as atheists. Only one of those religions is Christian.
Anthropologist remind me that we are a tribal species. In my own life it seems that I live in many rings of tribes. There are the folks with whom I celebrate important events and who I can call upon any time of the day or night. Then there is a larger ring which includes many more who tickle and delight my heart and tickle my mind. My gym buddies and colleagues fill up another ring. The next ring includes with those whom I have an intimate relationship but whom I see or even talk to less often and who live in various parts of the United States and the rest of the planet. Finally, there are those with whom I have connected with because of shared interests and concerns. One could say that I live in a very large village which occupies many places in the planet. In fact, if one considers the six degrees of separation and the overall interdependence of all parts of the planet the tribe to which I belong encompasses the entire universe. We live in an age in which it is easier to communicate instantly with one another. Some of us humans have always found a way to connect with a larger tribe than that which is close in proximity. When younger I and others relied on sharing via books, letter writing and radio broadcasts. There was also the “news reels” preceding the movie at the local movie theater.
We are a global community with many Gods of our individual understanding and no gods at all. We explore and celebrate our tribe in small and large circles. We use various frameworks some of which are religious.
To honor that wonderful inclusiveness let’s wish everyone a Happy Holiday. If the holiday happens to include a religious framework and a particular concept of God that is great. If it includes no God but a concept of our shared journey that is also great.
Let’s do celebrate the fact that we are a tribe and that everyone member of the tribe is important. The date might have been chosen because what some think that Jesus represented. Ironically, the Jesus with whom I am acquainted was very inclusive. I do not think Jesus would have been offended by Happy Holidays. I suspect his self-esteem was independent of whether everyone acknowledged him.
Written December 21, 2018
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