Earlier this month, a nativity scene in Kelowna found itself in the spotlight after receiving backlash from a local atheist group. The subject of their ire was not the manger, rather, a sign placed within the display by the Knights of Columbus that read, "Keep Christ in Christmas."The Kelowna Atheist Skeptics and Humanists Association successfully argued that the sign wasn't part of the permitted display and should be removed, and while I as a fellow atheist would support that ruling any other time of year, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed by my fellow freethinkers..According to the Trail Times, KASHA deemed the message to be "political, advocating for a specific religious interpretation of the holiday." Since when has anyone been under the assumption that Christmas isn't a religious holiday? Yes, many of the traditions practiced have pagan origins, but to argue that Jesus Christ isn't the focal point of Christmas requires some seriously impressive mental gymnastics.Even as a non-believer, I read the Christmas stories in the Bible on December 24, and have a manger scene at home. Nobody I know, Christian or otherwise, has expressed discomfort. One can appreciate, or at least acknowledge, the religious significance without adhering to the religion. KASHA doesn’t think so.They argued that, "this does impact people of other faiths, and people who have no religious beliefs," claiming it "makes them feel less Canadian."There are myriad religious holidays celebrated in Canada. Take Diwali for example, which commemorates the marriage of gods Lakshmi and Vishnu, or the birth of Lakshmi. Where's the pressure from elected officials and allegedly concerned citizens to wipe it clean of its religious significance to avoid offending non-Hindus? That's right, there is no such backlash. It feels like it's only at Christmas time that the religious aspect of the event in question is scrutinized. Why is that?Christianity is seen by many as the religion of the oppressor, and for much of the past 300 years, it has been. That being said, it is also one of the only religions that has at least tried to keep up with the times and atone for past wrongs.Are Christians persecuted in Canada? No, that's a stretch. Are Christian holidays disproportionately criticized and amended in the name of "inclusion"? Yes. This should concern us all, regardless of religion.I firmly believe that if people keep trying to "take Christ out of Christmas," before long the most diehard Christians will feel threatened, and begin chipping away at the secular dam holding back full-on Christian nationalism. There will always be those who want to push their beliefs on others and feel oppressed when they don't get special treatment, but we only empower them with silly crusades to wash religious holidays of their religious significance. There are far better places to direct our secular energy, such as trying to keep religion out of schools.Let Christmas be publicly celebrated as a religious holiday, put a manger in the town square, etc, but make sure that ability is extended to all other religions on their special days, as well. If done correctly, it would eliminate the need for signs like the one in Kelowna. Simple as. That being said, if I started seeing Christian messaging and symbolism in public spaces at other times of the year, I'd be concerned; we're a secular nation, and must remain as such. A little Jesus in December ain't gonna hurt anyone, nor is any other religion's symbolism on their holy days.As a lifelong atheist who's also called this country home since I was born, I certainly don’t feel "less Canadian" when I see baby Jesus in a public space around Christmas time, nor should anyone else. Diversity is about learning about and appreciating everyone's beliefs and traditions in their true form, and we do ourselves a disservice by trying to remove certain aspects to appease … who exactly? I honestly don't know.Merry Christmas.
