Most Christian Americans would say no. What is a good test to see if they believe that? Let’s look at Christmas. It is a celebration of the birth of the Christ. I like the saying “the reason for the season” since the commercialization is little more than heresy at this point. Christmas for the government is a means to collect more taxes, show a skewed unemployment number and state that the economy is improving.

How many people know that Christmas is the only officially recognized religious holiday recognized by the government? Here is the government’s logic:

Christmas became a federal holiday in 1870 (one of the original four, alongside New Year’s, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving). Courts have upheld its status, ruling that it has become largely secularized in American culture and that recognizing it does not violate the Establishment Clause.

The ruling is correct: the celebration coincides with the Winter solstice, not the true birth of Christ several months earlier.

I am one quarter German and I find solace in Germanic culture as do most Americans. Do you put up a Christmas tree, have an Advent wreath or calendar, shop at Christmas markets, bake gingerbread houses, display nutcrackers, eat certain foods and have glass ornaments/tinsel? All originated in Germany. It is part of our culture and I find comfort in traditions at Christmas. I find more comfort in the birth of Jesus Chris. I have never considered these Germanic traditions as a reason to support Nordic or Germanic gods.

I also want to be a good steward of the earth as I believe the Lord intended. That does not make me believe in minor earth deities in any fashion.

Does the idea of looking at other religions tempt me to change my faith? No. If Roth’s posts give you pause to accept a different religious viewpoint, I have to ask how strong is your faith? I have considered the question of character and trusting people in the coming war(s). Is this a question of a heathen vs a Christian?

Here is the real question that I ask myself: how many self-professed Christians would I trust? We all see it: the Sunday Christian who acts immorally once he leaves Church, the Chreaster who goes to church on Christmas and Easter or any other trait which a Christian should have according to the Bible but is lacking.

How many of you are afraid of the future? The Bible states if you have fear, you have no faith in God’s plan. The only fear you should have is that of the Lord.

If I have doubts, I turn to the Bible, prayer and self reflection. That is not to say that I do not look to other sources for clarification; especially for translations and cultural norms. What have I learned this year? People will do anything to divide us. My purpose at the now cancelled PATCON was to find common ground to unite communities. Another failure on my part.