The wearin' of the green

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Mar 17, 2004

At first it was just a few "devout" atheists, arguing that we shouldn't have prayer in public schools. Then the courts got involved, siding with them.

Soon the courts took the lead, banning Christmas displays in public places, unless those displays were shorn of any Christian content. (Santa Claus and candy canes are OK.)

Next the schools took the initiative, dropping their Christmas concerts and Easter vacations and replacing them with winter festivals and spring breaks.

Now the Christian groups themselves-- or, I should say, groups with an obvious Christian heritage-- are engaging in self-censorship, so that they don't give any offense.

Welcome to the future, in which all Christian symbols are removed from public life, and the faith, in effect, goes underground. This isn't new to the Irish people. What's new is that in this case, they're doing it to themselves.