Reading HR 847, it is easy to understand the incredibly low approval rating given to Congress by the American people (Gallup reports in December 2007 that only 22% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing). After staying up late to pass a bill loaded with pork for many of their constituents, Congress apparently moved on to dishing up a huge helping of piety for them as well. HR 847 ponderously proclaims, “Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others…” The irony of this bill is that it seems designed not to serve others, but to serve the Congressional representatives who voted for it. There is no other reason such legislation would see the light of day.
With all the enormous problems facing this country -- war, the economy, global warming, decay of our infrastructure, crumbling schools, etc. -- the fact that the House of Representatives spent time on a bill that accomplishes nothing but pandering to conservative Christian elements among their constituencies is outrageous.
It is also alarming that the authors of HR 847 appear never to have read the U.S. Constitution, or at least to have understood it. This is a “Christian nation” bill swaddled up like the baby Jesus and laid in a manger. Just because it’s Christmas and we are all nearly comatose from overeating, that doesn’t mean we won’t notice that this establishment of Christianity tucked under a “Whereas”. “Whereas the House of Representatives 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”. That’s establishment.
There’s another reason we don’t want legislators to do theology. They are just terrible at it. HR 847 is an ugly bill, but then religion is always ugly when it becomes bloated with self-importance and self-congratulation. ‘We’re Christian and we respect ourselves,’ the bill effectively intones. Congratulations. You have managed to demonstrate that you do not understand the message of Christmas at all.
Why would God incarnate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, be born in a stable and laid in a manger, if not to send the message of the reversal of the power of this world and the power of God? The narrative of flight from persecution by a corrupt governor of this world continues the message. God’s power is not power over, it is power shared among the poor, the outcast, the ordinary people of this world who come to understand the message of God-with-us. Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
You can’t legislate Christmas, you can only live it.
Please e-mail On Faith if you'd like to receive an email notification when On Faith sends out a new question.
Email Me | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook
