I mostly agree with Ron here. There is absoultely nothing wrong with what Huckabee said, it’s why he said it (for political gain) that I have a problem with.

Huck is obviously playing his strengths (the few that he has) and is making an appeal to every evangelical to vote for him. I’m still not convinced that the cross (aka shelf) was not a deliberate subliminal message. It has plausible deniability written all over it.

I agree with the content of the ad since I am a Christian and celebrate Christmas for what it truely is. But given that Huck’s political strategy here is all about recruiting pators and their congregations to campaign for him (federal tax exempt status aside–but I digress), it just feels like cheap political pandering.

BTW: I don’t respect ‘Christians’ or any other religious person that don’t try to convert me.

If you actually believe you know some very important details about how the universe works, about the best way of living, about after-life bliss, yet you don’t desperately try to tell people about it, you are a selfish pig.

And yeah, that would require massive debates, violence, and hurt feelings…all are things that break down productivity. That is why corporations, government, and even web site moderators don’t allow such debates.

Also, generally, religions make people behave better…and even psychologically mature (in some ways) as individuals to a certain point. Thus it makes for a more productive and apathetic labor force…thus corporations, government, etc. like religion. However, corporations, government, etc. typically stifle all other psychological development, other than being productive. Instead of developing out super-ego (the psychological parent within us), our bosses and God are our super-ego. When our boss says “Leave your morality and decision-making abilities at home.”, we do it. Outside of the workplace, we have learned to go to God, the ultimate invisible friend/parent, to guide us and provide to us.

Thus sociologically, the combination of religion and the workplace has made for an immature populous that is only mature in terms of working. That is why there are so much obesity, debt, hyper-consumerism, youth-orientation, etc. People, literally, have a hard time maturing in other ways…some never do.

I will say, this is probably better than the immature conquest oriented nations of old…albeit, the USA is definately conquering nations directly because so many people are apathetic and too dependent on outside authorities.

But the USA is also a fairly benevolent conqueror. Still, the USA, in fact, the entire world has been emotionally drowned from these sociologically engineered religion/work civilization since forever.

I believe the only way to reach sociological maturity is a slow evaporation process. One that Rome, the UK, the Monguls, and others tried (and now the USA is trying) to force through control on others.

What will it take? Discussions like these. That is why we have to fight for the internet and other methods that make the world smaller in terms of communication. It allows many more people to achieve emotional maturity. Thus, peer pressure will shift from the hands of the oppressors to reason and wisdom.

Would this be a good time and place to say something about Ron Paul? Sorry, couldn’t resist…

Jonathan – Loved your line: “I’m not sure where this idea came from that celebrating one’s own culture means that the celebrant, somehow, is demeaning those who celebrate other cultures. That homogenizing is far more offensive than any holiday greeting that rolls from someone’s lips as they give me my change in the store.” Totally agree.

I WANT people from a variety of faiths living in a country with the right balance of freedom and civility to offer discussion, debate, and the free exchange of ideas and principles so that the collective outcome is an enlightened society capable of honoring its people while wrestling with the distinctions and difference brought on by a diverse culture.

Aren’t we in effect promoting the PC agenda (and not even realizing it) by stipulating that nobody is allowed to affirm expressions of a particular faith (especially if it’s their own) without watering it down to some diluted drivel that means nothing to nobody? Are elected officials not allowed to express faith at all? Are we so dumb that we cannot “put our thinking caps on” and consider that a government official can be a flesh and blood person at the same time?

Troy – I think there’s a big distinction between a positive expression of one’s faith, and the compulsory mandating of that said faith to another person’s lifestyle. If Huck was saying “You need to celebrate Christmas with a front yard manger scene or as president I’ll toss you out of your home…” now we’re talking “shoving it down somone’s throat”.

As for religion being private only, if that was the case, most of the expressions of compassion around the world in the last few hundred years would never have occured. Many of them came in the name of Jesus by those initiating the efforts. That is as much a public expression of faith to many people as is someone saying out loud “Praise God” or “Jesus is Lord” to another.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) – Mike Huckabee has surged into a virtual tie with front-runner Rudy Giuliani in the national 2008 Republican presidential race two weeks before the first contest, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

Sweet…

I’ve never said you can’t celebrate your religion. I’ve only said that you should practice your specific brand of religion privately. Don’t shove it down the throats of those that are of other faiths. (or no faith at all).

Huck has lost every Jewish Republican vote, which will hurt him in the big, delegate rich states. He has shown non-presidential judgment, by dissing anyone other than Christian. Not a good move.