Not All Holidays Created Equal

Louise10 wrote:

"I believe Mr. Thomas might have made his point without the gratuitous slur about atheists."

It is impossible for that old queen to make any point WITHOUT gratuitous slurs.

Seriously are there any other AMERICAN minority groups (be they religious of ethnic) that Mr Thomas thinks their rights as AMERICANS should be dependent on what people in a foreign country whom happens to share those minority traits do?

Mr. Thomas's stance is even more bigoted the more I think about it. I guess Muslim americans should not be allowed to vote if somewhere in the world a muslim country doesn't allow Christians to vote too huh? Cause you know, to Mr. Thomas someone's religious affiliation trumps them being american. There all (minorities) just the same to you huh?

Interesting, I thought the discussion was about wether AMERICANS should be allowed off on muslim holidays. What does a foreign countries stance on christian holidays have to do with AMERICAS stance on AMERICANS getting their muslim holidays off? Well it doesn't, that is unless you don't consider muslim americans to actually be actual americans that is. I mean does Mr. Thomas think the Vatican's treatment of Protestants should have any bearing on how we allow Catholics in AMERICA to practice their religion, probably not. So nice blatant display of bigotry here.

It is always advisable to do a little bit of research before posting an essay for a worldwide audience. We are told that the writer is a veteran of broadcast and print journalism whose columns appear in 500 newspapers around the world. As a Pakistani I know that 25th December is a Public holiday in Pakistan, plus the missionary school I studied gave us a week off for Easter holidays (there are hundreds of them in Pakistan). So I googled list of holidays and my 5 minutes of research enlightened me that Indonesia (largest muslim country) celebrates both 1st January and 25th December as public holidays as do Malaysia, Turkey and most of Central Asian Muslim countries have either 1st January or 25th December as public holidays or both. Bangladesh has a public holiday on 25th December. Most of these countries have less than 2% Christians.

So if a supposed "Veteran Journalist" is so ill informed about muslim countries yet choses to speak on the topic, its hardly surprising that the western population has so many ill concieved notions about Islam and muslim countries.

Here's the link for list of holidays round the world.......you'll see not a single christian country gives a day off for Islamic holidays http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_holidays_by_country

"Your comments sound as if allowing for Muslim holidays is some sort of magnanimous gift we give to Muslim theocracies from our Christian nation."

You did not answer his question about The House of Saud giving Christmas off in reciprocity. Why don't you fly there and ask them to do it? Can it be that you simply accept it that they won't? So much easier to badger old Cal, isn't it? Christians are such easy victims, aren't they? Go for it!

Your comments sound as if allowing for Muslim holidays is some sort of magnanimous gift we give to Muslim theocracies from our Christian nation. America was designed as a secular nation (or at least a multi-religious one) whether you like it or not, and unless you're arguing for an establishment of religion you need to recognize holidays from multiple religions.

The only coherent position is, in this case, all or nothing. Anything else establishes a religion while excluding the rest.

Mr. Thomas, your final statement said more about you then it ended your twitter-like essay:
"If Muslims are to get days off for their holidays we should ask for reciprocity in Muslim countries for Christian and Jewish holidays, not to mention Christian and Jewish schools, churches and synagogues. Since that won't happen until Mecca freezes over I'm with Mayor Bloomberg."
You really can do better than this nonsense.

"Will the atheist ask for April 1 ("The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God' ") Get it?"
Ha ha ha. Cal, your shameless bigotry is so hilarious. Thanks for wearing your hate on your sleeve.

What a nice clear view of elitist arrogance and egotistical prejudice. "All Religions are not Created Equal". What in Gods Name does this pompous Fool know of divergence in Creation? His own PR? He should get together with like minded fools that do not practice the fundamentals of his avowed religion.

As America is based on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and other such liberal and liberated concepts, it has no need for dealmaking with the more repressed governments of the world in order to legitimize freedoms. We need only live to our principles of freedom and that light will shine of it's own accord. It speaks best for itself. There is noone that does not want the freedom to believe and act as they see fit.

Dealmakers are like salesmen, and charlatans like Mr. Thomas is a salesman, in this case.

Considering how offensive the title "Not All Holidays Created Equal" impling that Islam isn't a good enought religion to get any holidays. I would normally overlook the title and just sensational but in light comment about atheists it seems that you intend to do is to insult.

I believe Mr. Thomas might have made his point without the gratuitous slur about atheists.

"If Muslims are to get days off for their holidays we should ask for reciprocity in Muslim countries for Christian and Jewish holidays, not to mention Christian and Jewish schools, churches and synagogues."

Why? Why should we expect other countries, especially countries with theocratic governments, to structure their religiously-based educational systems as a reflection of our secular public education system?