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Religion The Role Of Religion Term Paper

Nativity scenes, certain carols that mentioned figures that are specifically Christian, and also gift-giving that is described as being for Christmas itself rather than just "for the holidays." In general, these things are frowned upon except when they occur exclusively among members of the Christian Community. Many find public displays of these sorts to be particularly offensive because public - and most especially government - endorsement of these things implies the favoring of one religion over another, or even appears as an attempt on the government's part to preach or dictate an individual faith. Non-Christian parents do not want their children to be forced to give presents for Christmas because Christmas is not their holiday. Members of various Protestant denominations may not like to see representations of the Birth of Jesus Christ because they do not believe it is right to represent...

In short, the public celebration of any religion comes with its own problems. While it can be festive, and function as a unifying force, it can also divide, and make others feel that they are not being included, or even that they are being discriminated against. Non-religious aspects of what is, at its core, a religious holiday can be accepted simply as characteristics of a universal national celebration, while other more specifically religious aspects of these same celebrations might only remind others of past persecutions, or even threaten the revival of these persecutions. Even today, the public celebration of a religious event can either strengthen ideas of national character, or break a nation apart.

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