A more Solomonic leader than Trump might have made common cause with other faiths that similarly want space to unapologetically practice their faith free from secular tsk-tsking. But Trump’s misguided pledge to Make America Say Merry Christmas Again sounds like he wants to turn Christians from being victims to victimizers. It is a bellicose assertion of Christianity whose real purpose seems to be to remind minorities whose turf they’re on. How would a Jewish establishment that considers Christmas something of an affront fare in such as America? Or a Muslim storeowner who celebrates Ramadan over Christmas? Or, for that matter, an austere and puritanical Christian that has a theological objection to Christmas? Would they all be forced to say Merry Christmas to prove their fidelity to the majority?
This won’t de-escalate the culture wars but ramp them up with religious minorities forced ever more into progressive arms for protection through courts and lawsuits. It’ll also force millions of folks, like my husband and me, who aren’t super religious and therefore happy to embrace the cultural default to reexamine whether we are now aiding and abetting a dangerous form of majoritarianism. Innocent and unconscious observances will become thoroughly politicized. And folks who feel like they are being forced to comply with a new pro-Christian regime will inevitably develop forms of passive resistance. This will generate anti-Christmas subversion — not a sincere celebration.
So let’s pray to God to knock some sense into Trump’s head and call off his misguided and ham-handed crusade.
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