Catholic Priest Calls 'Fox & Friends' Anger Over 'War On Christmas' Just 'Silly' (VIDEO)

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/03/catholic-priest-fox-and-friends-silly-war-on-christmas_n_2231735.html

By Cavan Sieczkowski
Posted: 12/03/2012 12:48 pm EST


Fox News' overemphasis on America's "War on Christmas" is just getting "silly," according to one Catholic priest.

Father Jonathan Morris, who has been a contributor on Fox News since 2005, recently visited the set of "Fox & Friends" to discuss "The War on Christmas," Mediaite reports. Although the show's co-hosts might have assumed Morris would unleash wrath upon those battling against the holiday's religious connotation, he did not. In fact, he called the whole "War on Christmas" plain old "silly."

Via Think Progress:

The reason I’m not angry is that, yes, I think it’s silly, it’s out of place for people to dedicate so much energy to try to get rid of Christmas scenes like this. The good news is when Christianity has been persecuted, when it has been outlawed, when people have died for their faith, it hasn’t gone away. Everybody has an opportunity to make sure their faith does not go away in this Christmas season to live that faith as a family, as a community. What should we do about these, I think very small percentage of people who are working to try to get rid of these public expressions of faith? I think we should speak up. That’s why I am doing it. That’s why I think it’s important we have these stories to show what they are trying to do — without losing the peace. If our Christmas is going to be all about getting a upset at people trying to take away Christmas, isn’t that silly too?

Morris attempted to bring up the issue of saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," but Morris said he is fine hearing "Happy Hanukkah" too.

more at link including video

[immoderate]

1. He addresses the "false outrage," but avoids the real problem.

His multi-denominational approach doesn't consider what non-religious displays would be allowed. Always asking for trouble. And whether holiday religious displays should be tolerated on government property.

I'm a non-believer, but I think some of the atheist displays were confrontational. I agree with them, but they bother me.

I'm not happy about banning all holiday displays. Most Christmas decorations are taken from various Pagan traditions. But who knows that?

--imm

[cbayer]

2. I think it's possible to have secular holiday displays without mocking or attacking

others.

However, mocking and goading can be subjective and it might be hard to define what is or is not offensive.

I would object to a religious display that mocked other religions or atheists as well.

[immoderate]

3. As long as you make no references to "free thought..."

I think that most people of faith would see an expression of no faith as an attack.

Even "Happy Holidays, from your Friendly Atheist," would upset a few people.

--imm

[cbayer]

4. While that may be true in some places, I think in many it would not be seen as an attack.

The problem in Santa Monica was because of the attacks on believers, imo.

And who cares if a few people are upset? There is room for all of us, imo, and there is no protection from being challenged with different ideas.