I can't begin to express how insensitive the Nov. 10 letter, "Christmas City of the North Parade needs more Christian displays," was and how the views it expressed were arguably false.
The letter contradicted itself by stating Christmas is both "religious" and "secular" and then by also stating that more religious displays are needed. Although I agree Christmas can be viewed both as religious and secular, the letter wrongly stated a public display to be enjoyed by all should be more religious. In order to be "secular," all religious displays should be removed. People of all backgrounds, including nonbelievers, can enjoy the parade then without feeling "left out" or offended.
If anyone wants to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, they can do so freely within the privacy of their own home.
The letter asked, "Aren't religious units allowed or encouraged?" No. Allowed or encouraged by whom? Who is to say one religion should be favored over another?
The letter also stated, "I believe much of what is wrong with America today is that our citizens and leaders have forgotten who God is." Well, no, we haven't. We just don't subscribe to the letter-writer's apparent personal god belief. The sentence made me feel that as an atheist there is something "wrong" with me or I may be a "bad person." This is far from the truth.
ADVERTISEMENT
Any assumption that someone is uneducated because they haven't read a holy book is ignorant. Many atheists I know are better educated about the Bible. We don't cherry-pick verses that make us feel good. We see it as a whole; and if you are educated about the Bible, you know of the immoral atrocities and outdated laws it contains. Stating we should read only a part of this book written by anonymous authors who lived in isolated parts of the country baffles me.
Leah Senarighi
Duluth
