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Not being anti-Christmas does not make one for Christmas. I like Ben Stein, although I’m often on the opposite side of his political commentary. But I don’t see the big deal here. I think he’s more “pro religious celebration/freedom”. I’m not religious, but I’ve got no problem with that. Just keep it out of my government, thank you very much.
Go, Ben Stein!
I am not a Christian. (At one time, I was going to convert to Judaism, but decided that I didn’t want to do so if I couldn’t do so whole-heartedly, and I’m not whole-hearted about anything, unfortunately.) I waver between agnosticism and deism, for the most part. Guess what? I WANT to see Christmas trees, and I WANT to see menorahs and I WANT to hear something besides “Happy Holidays.”
We don’t have to make up for not including EVERYONE at ALL times by excluding all signs of difference!
Happy Hanukah, Ben Stein – and Merry Christmas. too, since you have no objections.
First, I don’t think Ben Stein had anything to do with this. It’s just not his style. Of course, I could be wrong.
Second, whoever did write it is suffering from the same imaginary persecution problems the rest of the whining faithful are suffering from this holiday season. These people are obviously not getting enough from their faith to weather greetings contrary to their personal beliefs, so they turn to the almighty internet for strength.
They need to cultivate a heartier sense of faith and get the fuck over themselves.
I’m pretty sure Ben Stein knows who Nick and Jessica are.
Is it real?
Did anyone see it on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, this past Sunday, 12/18?
Nothing on Snopes yet.
I found confirmation he was on Sunday
COMMENTARY
Contributor Ben Stein finds joy in religion during this holiday season
I agree with the content of the article. I say that as an Agnostic with a Tree and a Menorah. We celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah. My daughter and I made a few new ornaments this year. A wooden Snowman and 2 wooden Dradles.
I don’t believe in prayer in school, but I don’t believe a Christmas Tree can do any harm. I can even handle the Mangers at a public building.
Jim
Seeing as how these sorts of things are often falsely attributed as they make their way around inboxes the world over, I’m inclined to think he didn’t pen it. But then again it has a definite time and place of origin, or so it claims. So it might not be difficult to check out. I just haven’t bothered yet.
Kind of surprising. I think I’ll start a thread there.
I think I just did.
We tape Sunday Morning every week. It’s probably still on my DVR. I didn’t watch it because we had guests, but I can verify or debunk this one by 7 pm EST, if you want.
Well he talked about something to do with Religion at Christmas time, so it might be true. We need to find a doper that watched CBS Sunday Morning.
For every 10 people that believes every email without checking, there are the ones who don’t believe any email without checking.
I leave it up to Snopes to give us the details, but I would classify it as possible for now.
Jim
That would be great, thanks.
Yes please, ironic and humorous, simul post. 
I found the “official” Ben Stein website, and I’ll tell you…although the piece appears there, nothing in that site reminds me even REMOTELY that it’s written by Ben Stein.
If it is his writing, I’ll have to assume he’s had a stroke.
I am a Doper who watched CBS Sunday Morning. The OP is pretty much what he said in his commentary piece. I can’t really concentrate on exact choice of words right now because I’m on a conference call. I don’t remember the word “freaking” coming up, for instance.
I enjoyed the CBS appearance, FWIW.
I saw it, and that was exactly what he said. Hope that’s enough of a cite.
That being said, Ben Stein (BS as he is known at our house) is just a whore for whoever is paying him, as tempered by the prevailing wind blowing from the right. His ass kissing Wal*Mart glurge on Sunday Morning lead to them being a sponsor. Actually, Sunday Morning is pretty much all advertisements when it comes to the arts.
TDN: Can we call this confirmed or very likely?
I am fairly sure that portion was “Tounge in Cheek”.
Jim
Provisionally, sure. I’m wondering how much it could have morphed in just two days. And I’m a little surprised it made the rounds so quickly.
I’m just going to assume Nick Rivers and Jessica Atreides.
Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange.