Christians: What do you think about H.Res. 847: Recognizing the importance of Christmas & the Christian Faith?

Question

H. Res. 847 states:
That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;
(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;
(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and
(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

Nine Democrats voted nay on H.R. 847 after voting 'Yes' on a House bill (H.R. 635) titled, "Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan," back in October.
HR 635 states:
the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world;
(2) expresses friendship and support for Muslims in the United States and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion;
(4) rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide; and
(5) commends Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror.

Answer 1

Personally I am never really happy with political nonsense. God does not follow democratic principles but He does cause governments to rise and fall according to His will so it is nice that they at least are willing to acknowledge Him in at least this little way.

Answer 2

I see no point to this resolution except to push a Christian based point of view into politics once again. I am Catholic and saying this. The way I see it, the Constitution gives the protection to religion, and all religions are important, as well as non-religion, and deserve protection. Singling out Christmas for a resolution appears to strengthen the conservative idea that not just religion should be present, but specifically christian religion, and even more specific a methodist or protestant denomination. There was no need for this and it only shows the favoritism in the government toward Christian religions (even then ones of their choosing).

I have never had a problem with saying happy holidays over merry christmas to people I don't know since I have no idea what their religion is and they get to have a winter holiday just like I do, regardless of whether they celebrate Christmas specifically. This "war on Christmas" is simply a coined phrase to try and bring focus and importance to the concepts of infusing christian religion into our government.

Answer 3

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Seems like it ws already done around 200 years ago.

Answer 4

Very dangerous.

Once we get into the business of acknowledging and officially approving religions, we are by fault put in the business of rejecting and maligning religion.

This is a step back in human progress, and will eventually lead to violence in the name of God.

Giving representatives the power to recognize your religion and pass judgment on its benefit, should scare the heck out of you.

While this bill sounds nice and flowery, what will it look like a few decades from now when a different representative class is in power? What happens when the Catholics decide that Christianity should mean Catholicism, and that all other Christians shouldn't be recognized?

Or if Mormons take power and decide that the book of Mormon should be used in presiding over court cases?

You people will bring about your own destruction and take me and my family with you.

Answer 5

I'm not a Christian, but what part of "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" don't they understand?

Yeah, yeah, it's a resolution, but it still makes a mockery of the First Amendment.

Answer 6

its pointless, congress should be spending their time doing things like trying to ensure maybe some decent return on social security, maybe improving our health care situation, taking a look at future energy concerns, etc. such a waste of time and money...maybe if we had term limits congress would get to work and get something done...they don't do anything...

Answer 7

i dont celebrate christmas however i do understand there is an attack going on becuase its PERCIEVED as christian...so i was
both suprised and please that congress would vote on the matter
to preserve a tradtional american holiday from those that would destroy it...

however as you can see there were differences in the christmas
bill and the ramadan bill..this is only gonna create problems in
the future...

Answer 8

Our legislators spend their time on these things?

How much am I paying per hour for 500 and some Congressmen to make empty ceremonial statements through our legislature?