Yes, Mr. Pokoski, there really is a Santa Claus(e.) – Seacoastonline.com

Nov. 28 To the Editor:

I read with interest Mr. Pokoskis satirical diatribe about holiday names and observances. He -seems- to be completely oblivious to the point that (Fosters,) regular posting of the First Amendment is the premise for local governments to opt out of religious holiday observances. See http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/ for a full list of these. Find out how many states have decided to observe religious holidays, despite the First Amendment.

Yes, our schools, public and private, would observe a plethora of days we have marked for decades, if not centuries. The point is that no specific religion is to be promoted, by word or deed, by our government.

Some of these holidays are only observed because of commercial interests. (Indeed, Lents Friday Fish observances were advanced by fishermen promoting their product which, incidentally, the Twelve Apostles gave up as employment to become followers of Christ.) Valentines Day is now seen as an adaptation of one of Aesops Fables. Look it up. Greeting card companies lobbied for this and other sentimental holidays. (Like Mothers and Fathers Days, our countrys sole recognition of the importance of procreation and raising future citizens.)

Easter, and Saint Patricks Day, are religious holidays not honored by the government for days off, but as with Ash Wednesday, all religious persons are entitled to time off to observe their holy day of obligation when it is requested, or the institution, (faith,) provides alternatives for those who must work, regardless. (Early services, Saturday Mass, etc.) If your employer does not consider your request seriously, then remind him/her they must allow unpaid time off for Federal Service obligations, like Reservist assemblies and week-long exercises, and that the First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; and that freedom of worship is also promoted by non-discrimination laws.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are religious holidays, hands-down. Because of a majority of Christian persons in our population, and, in the case of the latter; worldwide respect, these are Federally sanctioned days off. It would lead to widespread chaos if all specific religions had such government backing in our supposed non-theistic government. The anti-discrimination laws are a compensation for this to people of all faiths and those espousing none.

Many local governments and companies do not recognize several others above, including Patriots Day, and of course, Halloween, our unique custom, (also a pagan observance,) and which precedes All Saints and Souls Day. Im not going to touch the Fourth of July. Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of the War to End All Wars, the First World War.

Presidents Day, (Federal except 11 States,) and Columbus Day, (Federal except 17 States,) are likewise become less observed by any but retailers, along with Christmas, Thanksgiving, and many others.

Truthfully, Christmas is an arbitrary date celebrating Christs birth. By dedicated study, many theologists have determined that Jesus was born around September or early October of the present calendar. It seems to have been one religious leaders attempt to undercut pagan Winter Solstice celebrations.

All these commemoration days are attempts at reminding our citizens that we have a past.

Yes, Mr. Pokoski, there really is a Santa Claus(e.)

Diane M. Starkey

Rochester

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Yes, Mr. Pokoski, there really is a Santa Claus(e.) - Seacoastonline.com