Ok, I accept the fact that I live in a very rural, very conservative, very Calvinist christian area. Even so, I was taken aback by a half-page ad in the local paper, decrying the lack of Jesus in the 4th of July holiday.
Now this paper is not into satire. I read the article a few times, and concluded it was very serious. The author bemoaned the fact that Jesus seemed to be ignored completely by the majority of July 4 celebrants, despite the fact that to the author, the 4th of July had its origins in Jesus. And while it was all well and good to celebrate good old US of A patriots and freedom fighters, failing to acknowledge the Guy from Galilee first and foremost trivialized and commercialized the holiday. And led straight to hell.
Comments? Support? Dissent?
And how does Jesus stand in your hierarchy on the 4th of July? Was he also the reason for Thanksgiving? Arbor Day? National Poultry Week?
Hmmmm. . . well, regular church-going sort that I am, I also like a good fireworks show. That means I’ll be up late on Saturday night ooh-ing and aaaaw-ing, and knowing myself I’ll probably take a pass on going to church Sunday, July 4.
Maybe that’s what he means? Everyone’s so excited about the 4th, fireworks and picnics and all, they’re conveniently forgetting it falls on a Sunday?
'Cause the alternative explanation is that your correspondant is a moron. And it would be unchristian of me to point that out. . .
I re-thought this point. Certain “fallen” members of the local community will probably drive an hour to the “big city” to see a July 4 fireworks show. But that will be Sunday night, well after church.
It still doesn’t quite jibe with how he worded his message, IMHO. But maybe.
I don’t know about other holidays, but I did see Jesus in the hall on Take Your Savior To Work day. He was with a group of Baptists on their way to the cafeteria for coffee and scripture.
He’s much shorter than you’d think from pictures of him.
The proposition that Jesus had anything to do with July 4 would have absolutely horrified the founding fathers. They did not think of Jesus as a “personal savior,” to begin with, and knew from experience that mixing religion and politics was a good thing. The Declaration of Independence – the document that is being celebrating – makes no mention of Jesus, and the date of July 4th was arbitrarily chosen, anyway.
Wasn’t it Jesus who came out of his tomb on July 4, didn’t see his shadow, then lit off some roman candles? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be celebrating?
I think it was on July 4 that Jesus ate a turkey dinner with the Indians, hid a bunch of plastic eggs with candy in them, and went door-to-door that night scaring people by displaying his wounds.
A few years ago, someone had the temerity to run an advert in it soliciting people to learn more about the Baha’i faith. This led to a dozen counter-ads attacking said faith as morally dangerous and a tool of the devil, cozening people into evil.
I don’t know why you say this. Everyone knows that America was founded to be first and formost a Christian Paradise. Anyone who says differently obviously hates America and is with the Terrorists.
Geez, QtM, I’m heading up there for the weekend and you have to go and scare me again with this stuff. I was trying to repress the memory of that… Though now that you mention it, I’ll be in the Sort-of-Big (but still sinful) City a few miles north, so perhaps I’ll be safe there.
I thought cheese already was a religion in Wisconsin. The heathens down here in Illinois - brace yourself - don’t sell cheese curds!
