Are Christians self-destructing?

[GOPFighter]

As an atheist Christmas is no longer a religious holiday for me. But having been raised in a Christian home, Christmas carols and Christmas decorations bring back happy childhood memories of gifts, decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols in the car as we drove downtown looking at the store windows, the big family dinner, and the pleasant exhaustion we all felt as the light of day waned.

In those days the theme of Christmas was "Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Men" The newspapers were full of stories about Jews volunteering to work at hospitals, manning the police phones, etc. so Christians could spend this very special day with their families. It seemed as though people bent over backward to be kind and considerate of other's feelings and religious beliefs. Even my freaky fundy parents taught us to outwardly respect the beliefs of others.

So even as an atheist, I've always looked forward to Christmas, looked forward to the music and decorations, the first snow, the excited kids, the day off to spend with family, and especially the theme of tolerance and peace on earth.

Granted, many Christians have long felt disgusted at the crass commercialization of Christmas (and they aren't alone). So it should surprise no one to find that a rebellion of sorts has been building for the last few years among Christians. What might be surprising, however, is the focus of that anger.

Is this new anger directed at stores that put their Christmas decorations up way too soon? No. Are they angry at stores that go overboard pushing glitz and expensive gifts? No. The target of their anger? They are angry at stores that refuse to greet them with "Merry Christmas"! They are furious that they can't turn public parks and courthouses and schools into Christian celebrations of Christmas, and by God they're gonna' sue just as soon as they pack the rest of the courts! Gone is Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men. Gone is any consideration for other's feelings and religious beliefs. The new Christian ethic seems to be, "We're the majority here and if "Merry Christmas" offends you, screw you. We don't really care if we offend those considerate non-Christians who volunteer to work in our place on Christmas, because we're the majority in this country and everyone else can suck hind tit."

To this writer, it seems like the Christians of this nation are hell-bent on making everyone as miserable as they obviously are. There is no such thing as "live and let live" anymore, no such thing as brotherhood and working together and respect for others. The movement is being pushed by angry, miserable people who want everyone to feel the same way. Does anyone believe Bill O'Reilly is a happy Christian with his angry rants about the liberal agenda to force Christ out of Christmas? When I see Bill ranting on this subject I can't help but think that the Christians in America are self destructing.