Does Christmas Overshadow Other Holidays?
By Caden Speakman There are several religion-based holidays that people across America celebrate annually during the winter season, but being that Christmas is the most celebrated, does it overshadow the others? There are several reasons why it doesn’t. Although Christmas originated as a religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ, it isn’t exclusively celebrated by Christians. This is due to the fact that Christmas has expanded beyond a religious holiday; it has become more of a cultural celebration, which is inclusive of anyone who’s part of American culture. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, 92% of all Americans celebrate Christmas. As expected, nearly all American Christians celebrate the holiday with 96% participation rate. However, it would be invalid to say that Christmas “overshadows” other holidays based solely on the fact that the vast majority of Americans celebrate it. It only makes sense that Christmas has an overwhelming presence in American culture, considering that it is much more celebrated than any other religious holiday during the winter season. Christmas may be celebrated by the vast majority of Christians, but what about non-Christians? Surely they must be excluded from Christmas and go unrecognized. In reality, a vast majority of people who aren't Christians celebrate Christmas as well, with only 19% of them declaring that they had never celebrated it. The reason people who aren’t Christian can comfortably say they celebrate Christmas is because they celebrate its cultural side. This cultural side of Christmas is pervasive throughout the country during the winter season, so it's nearly impossible to avoid. Christmas movies and commercials on T.V., holiday decorations scattered throughout malls, and Christmas decorations strung up on houses are just a few of the familiar practices that contribute to its overwhelming presence. All the elements of Christmas culture culminate to form an inviting Christmas atmosphere, enriching American culture as a whole and allowing anyone to participate in it comfortably. For the 8% of Americans who choose not to celebrate Christmas, they are completely free to do so and nobody is forcing Christmas upon them. Many other holidays take place during the Christmas season, with two of the most recognized being Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Many different religions and peoples also celebrate the winter solstice. Any holiday or special event can be celebrated in America without any interference or judgement, and neither the cultural nor religious side of Christmas encourages shutting any of them out. Christmas is the most widely celebrated holiday in the United States during the winter season, but that doesn't mean that it overshadows or excludes other holidays and religious practices. In reality, it is an inclusive and inviting part of American culture that anyone can be a part of and enjoy if they choose to do so. It'd be a shame to see this positive and enriching part of our culture be perceived as diminishing to the appreciation of other religious celebrations when it does nothing of the sort.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
The Eagle's EyeBest of the Nest since 1981 Archives
January 2018
|