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WASHINGTON — Prodded by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-1st District, a conservative Christian outspoken about her faith, the House of Representatives gave public celebrations of Christmas a symbolic vote of confidence on Thursday. The lopsided vote, 401-22 in favor of her resolution applauding “the symbols and traditions of Christmas,” masked sharp and emotional divisions among lawmakers over religion’s place in American culture. It also reflected a growing concern among many Christians that secular institutions – particularly public schools and the mass media – are suppressing legitimate expressions of Christianity, a faith practiced in varying forms by roughly 80 percent of Americans. Davis spoke passionately for that view during a debate the day before the vote. “Christmas has been declared politically incorrect,” she said . “Any sign or even mention of Christmas in public can lead to complaints, litigation, protest and threats. … “From Madison Avenue to Wall Street, from activists and lawyers to politicians, educators and the media, a culture is being created that shames people for saying 'Merry Christmas,’” she added. In an interview, Davis said she decided to introduce the resolution after reading about a school in Plano, Texas , that ordered holiday cakes decorated only with white icing because the usual red and green reminded some people of Christmas. “I thought this has gone to the ridiculous,” she said. Some Democrats argued that Davis’ drive to protect Christmas is really an attempt to promote it and give it greater prominence than other religious holidays. “I really do not understand what we are doing,” said Rep. Gary L. Ackerman, D-N.Y., who is Jewish. “Nobody is attacking Christmas or its symbols. I enjoy Christmas, sing Christmas carols. I do not celebrate the religious significance of it, but it is a holiday I tremendously respect, as I do my Christian friends. “I am offended by this. You have drawn me out. Why not protect my symbols? My symbols are not protected here.” Davis said she tried to address such concerns by amending her original resolution to make clear that she wants to protect Christmas traditions simply “for those who celebrate Christmas.” At least two Jewish members told her that made her proposal acceptable, she said. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd District, accused Davis and her GOP supporters of being more concerned about the symbols of Christmas than the substance. “The spirit of Christmas demands generosity and goodwill towards others,” Scott said. “Instead of legislation that respects the spirit of Christmas, Congress in just these past few weeks has passed a budget that includes mean-spirited attacks on the least of us. For those who are hungry, we are cutting food stamps. For those who are sick, we are cutting Medi­caid.” At least some religious and constitutional scholars also worried that the Davis resolution could blur lines between church and state. G. Scott Davis , who chairs the Department of Religion at the Southern Baptist-supported University of Richmond, argued that “the idea that Christmas is somehow now in jeopardy seems at best bizarre.” “Congress shouldn’t have any special call to save Christmas any more than it has a call to save Kwanzaa, or save Hanukkah,” Davis said. Robert M. O’Neil, who directs the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression in Char­lottesville, suggested the Davis resolution reflects a preference for Christianity that Jefferson would regard as “not consistent with the proper relationship between religion and government.” Republican leaders brought Davis’ resolution to the House floor just eight days after its introduction amid a chorus of complaints by evangelicals and conservative political commentators about what they say are attacks on Christmas. “Without question Christmas is under attack this year as perhaps never before,” Virginia Beach religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said in a statement released by his office on Thursday. “Although this attack has been building up for a number of years, Christmas is a time-honored expression of the faith of the majority of the American people.” On Fox News C hannel, commentator Bill O’Reilly has repeatedly used his nightly “talking points memo ” during December to attack “anti-Christmas forces ” and praise retailers who openly wish customers a “Merry Christmas,” rather than a simple “happy holidays.” “Banishing the words ' Merry Christmas’ is simply disrespectful to people who celebrate that federal holiday,” O’Reilly argued in a memo this week. On Thursday, Davis insisted that she was unaware of O’Reilly’s campaign. “I just want the freedom of expression for myself,” she said. “It was simply a Jo Ann Davis thing.” Staff writer Steven Vegh contributed to this report. Reach Dale Eisman at (703) 913-9872 or icemandc@msn.com. http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=96954&ran=79144 |