The wearin' of the green
By Phil Lawler (bio - articles ) | March 17, 2004 9:25 AM
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.
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Posted by: Sterling -
Mar. 17, 2004 11:18 PM ET USA
Enough! Parade participants should have just shown up with crosses hidden under their jackets and pulled them out all together. It would have been fun to see the police having to arrest people at a St. Patrick's Day Parade for lifting high the cross. Want to bet the parade-organizers wouldn't try it again?
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Mar. 17, 2004 3:46 PM ET USA
What exactly is St. Patrick being honored for? He didn't bring the shamrocks to Ireland. He brought the Cross to Ireland. What person who hopes to be a saint in heaven one day turns away from the Cross?
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Posted by: -
Mar. 17, 2004 3:41 PM ET USA
"This isn't new to the irish people. What's new is that in this case, they're doing it to themselves" A small point, Phil. I'm not sure that Mr. Lovering's view represents anyone other than himself and a few other misguided 'Irish' Americans. It is certainly not the view of the 'Irish people' - either here or in Ireland!
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Posted by: Trent-on -
Mar. 17, 2004 1:50 PM ET USA
'Tis a sad Saint Paddy's Day when we forget about the the Christianity that brought it all about.
