Aref Assaf, 12-10-2007

Congress is debating resolution  HR 847 - Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. It is the same resolution language used  two months ago and passed  by congress recognizing Ramadan's significance to Islam and American Muslims. We  were quick to thank all those who voted for the symbolic but important resolution.

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;

Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;

Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population; ....
 

You may recall that New Jersey Republican Congressman, Scott Garrett was one of 42 Representatives who  voted "present' on  the Ramadan resolution. We made sure the Congressman heard our displeasure with his vote. He did not reply to our letter. But here is how Garrett justified the vote at the time:

Representative Scott Garrett said he too was "troubled" by the Ramadan resolution. "There were a number of members who, as we call it down here, 'stayed off' that vote and did not support it because I think that they looked at it as something that Congress really should not be doing, should not be picking one faith out and commending that faith."

As if by a twist of fate, many who objected to the Ramadan vote will be watched as how they will vote and what explanations they will use to justify their position.
So, I for one would expect that the principled Congressman would now vote present on the Christmas resolution. If he votes differently, then we would be justified in calling out his hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy.

Update; 12-11-2007: Just got an update the house voted for the Resolution: For: 372,  Against 9, Present 10, No Vote 40. Guess what: Garret voted FOR the Resolution. What a bigot and a hypocrite.  http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll1143.xml

I was glad the resolution was passed. Religious holidays are a lot more than greeting cards and exchange of gifts. They are a reminder of our deeply felt attachment to our faiths and our religious heritage.  My happiness soon dissipated when I learned that Congressman Garrett voted for the resolution. Apparently, he has no problem with Congress ‘picking one faith out and commending that faith”.
I have no problem with recognizing Christmas and its immense significance for practicing Christians. I am disheartened by the apparent dichotomy and hypocrisy in our Congressmen’s ethical foundation. People in the Fifth District of NJ should be equally incensed by Garrett’s double standard ethos.

It is undeniably true that religion and state should not mix and I am reminded by JFK speech in 1960 where he said, "do not consider these other quotations binding upon my public acts — why should you? But let me say, with respect to other countries, that I am wholly opposed to the state being used by any religious group, Catholic or Protestant, to compel, prohibit, or persecute the free exercise of any other religion. And I hope that you and I condemn with equal fervor those nations which deny their presidency to Protestants and those which deny it to Catholics. And rather than cite the misdeeds of those who differ, I would cite the record of the Catholic church in such nations as Ireland and France — and the independence of such statesmen as Adenauer and de Gaulle." Source AP.

Congressman Garret, the Congressman who represents all the residents of his district thinks otherwise.

See my earlier thoughts on the Ramadan resolution.