From Focus on the Family

Lawmakers Rush to Defend Christmas

by Jennifer Mesko, managing editor

U.S. House and Wisconsin Assembly take up resolutions to call it what it is.

Lawmakers have had enough of the "holidays," and they are reminding America the "holiday" that is coming is called Christmas.

In Wisconsin, the Assembly will vote today to call the balsam fir in the Capitol rotunda a Christmas tree. And in Washington, the U.S. House will vote today on a resolution by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, seeking the official recognition of Christmas.

"Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed bills proclaiming Hinduism and Islam great religions of the world at the time of their major celebrations," King told Fox News. "My resolution offers the same honor to the Christian faith."

The House resolution: "(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world; (2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide; (3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith; (4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization; (5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and (6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.”

The Wisconsin state tree "celebrates one holiday, and that holiday is Christmas," sponsor Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, told Fox News. "It was called a Christmas tree from 1916 until 1985, when political correctness took over, and then we decided it would become a holiday tree. But what it really is, is a Christmas tree, and there's nothing really wrong with that."

Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said he couldn't agree more.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong, constitutionally speaking, with government acknowledging the real name for this season," he said. "As John Adams famously stated: 'Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.'

"The First Amendment was designed to protect and nurture our religious expression, not prohibit it."

DR. DOBSON DEFENDS CHRISTMAS
Listen to Monday's broadcast. To find a station in your area or to listen online, visit our broadcast page.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stuart Shepard, director of digital media for Focus on the Family Action, imagines a brand-new holiday in his whimsical Stoplight video commentary.

TAKE ACTION
Thank Rep. Steve King for defending Christmas. You can find contact information in our Action Center.

BUY A CHRISTMAS BUTTON
Let others know you support Christmas.

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Follow up story will be posted on how this went - Cyber Pastor