'Tis the season to be appropriate

Our holiday season is under way. For some, it starts with Thanksgiving and continues through the bowl games to a Ukrainian high holiday in January. The common them is peace and good will towards all. Good will starts with respect and consideration.

This year Christmas eve will be Saturday and many will recognize Monday as a holiday. Certainly any party during this time would acknowledge the Christian theme, and Merry Christmas would be the most appropriate greeting. Both Christians and non-Christians should welcome the Nativity scene anywhere during the special three days.

As non-Christian Unitarian, my high holiday will be Dec. 21 - 22, and the reason for the season is the solstice. Wishing me a Merry Christmas on Dec. 21 and suggesting Christ is the reason for the season would be equivalent to my coming to a Dec. 25 and wishing people a sunny Solstice and point out the party is celebrating the rebirth of the Sun God.

Inappropriate to say the least.

Most public groups celebrations held in public establishments tend to fall on dates neutral to personal religions. The weekends of Dec. 10 and 17 are popular choices. When some one takes advantage of the public setting to push his personal religion, it is more of a political right wing power statement than an act of religion.

We all know who our God is.

HARVEY PINE

Sandpoint