Depends, of course, on the definition of "establishing" a religion. I'm fairly absolutist in this regard, as I consider it unconstitutional for the IRS to determine who "is" and who "is not" a a valid "religion." That, to me, is establishment, right there.

Although I have to admit, you seem to be caught in an oxymoron, with "yet another unconstitutional constitutional amendment." ANY amendment, when ratified, is part of the Constitution. Whether it is idiotic or not (see: Prohibition), it is, by definition, constitutional, being part of the founding document after ratification. But perhaps I'm splitting hairs....

When the Constitution itself was ratified, only a few states would have subscribed to the modern view of separation of church and state -- perhaps Rhode Island and maybe Pennsylvania? In most states, atheist displays would have been (legally) shunned.

As for midwinter festivals, here's an article from 2007 for you:

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2007/12/24/why-christmas-is-not-on-the-solstice/

:-)

-CW

Check it all, including you Michale, I think you'll find the actual American of tradition of Christmas quite fascinating. As with most things our perceptions of Christmas have more to say about ourselves than anything else.

I am not big on holiday traditions...

Personally, I would be happy to go from 15 Oct to 16 Jan and just skip the whole thing...

With, of course, carving out an exemption for the Annual Weigantia Fund Raiser...

Having said all that, just let me say this..

That Santa looks REALLY creepy.. If I were to find him in my house, I think he would be on the business end of my Remington Riot Control Shotgun.. :D

As with most things our perceptions of Christmas have more to say about ourselves than anything else.

Truer words were never spoken...

Michale
0241

Check it all, including you Michale, I think you'll find the actual American of tradition of Christmas quite fascinating. As with most things our perceptions of Christmas have more to say about ourselves than anything else.

As opposed to those who go out of their way to be professionally offended by anything and everything, regardless of whether or not they have a dog in the hunt.. :D

Michale
0219

Also, midwinter festivals have been universal throughout history and were merely coopted by Christians. "Christmas" celebrations have little, or nothing, to do with Christianity. Just because Christianity seeks to claim a festival and has been successful in getting it "rebranded" with their trademark doesn't mean its all about them! Christ wasn't born anywhere near Christmas day and Kris Kringle has never had anything to do with the practice of Christianity. The "commercialization" of Christmas is actually truer to its foundations than supposed Christian religious practices. Perhaps that's why its so much more pervasive, and Christmas never really about Christianity. Though Christians have been trying for centuries to make it so. Our country's greatest failing is that its never practiced the rule of law. It cloaks its arbitrary abuses in legal seeming rationalizations thanks to the democratic process and its abject indifference of the majority to anything viewed as not directly and immediately affecting them.

Having said that, I wouldn't say that the United States is a "secular" nation.

It's a country that was founded on Christian values and the influence of religion is weaved into the fabric of this nation. Much to my chagrin..

It's a country founded on the notion that government can't cannot endorse any religion over any other religion. Further, the government cannot, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, refuse "equal time" (so to speak) to other religions.

The "All Things Being Equal" is the important part of that last...

Michale
0212