Jack’s Wednesday guest post –
This is not going to be a rant, believe me – I’m a Quaker and we don’t do that!
As we approach ‘The Season’ I’m seeing lots of messages on Twitter and Facebook suggesting that there is some kind of ban on wishing people Merry Christmas. I have no idea where it originates and have never seen any evidence that it exists anywhere.
But it worries me that some people believe that – not only that, but that they should believe it’s necessary to repeat and promote it!
I find it hard to accept that a country that has always prided itself in welcoming the downtrodden and the dispossessed, no matter their religion, could end up here. It depresses me – – –
Wendy and I have friends from many branches of Christianity – Quaker, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist and Baptist. We also have Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist friends. All of these friends wish us whatever seems appropriate at this time and we both accept their good wishes and reciprocate as we see fit.
As a Quaker I believe that everyone (yes- everyone) has ‘a piece of God within them’ – we call it ‘The Light’. Personally I think we have both light and dark within us. Regardless of your particular belief I also believe that you look to whatever example or Prophet or Savior can lead you towards that light.
I will soon be seventy five years old and I’ve experienced far too much of this stuff – enough, already!
I believe we are entering a dark time in this world and we will be severely tested over the next few years – here in the US, but certainly in Europe and elsewhere as well.
So I continue to struggle towards that elusive light and I wish all my friends and Friends the condiments of the seasoning (as I believe John Lennon once said).
Did I say this wouldn’t be a rant?
PS – Our annual Celtic Christmas event will be here at the bookstore on Saturday Dec 17th starting at 6.30. Please phone or email ahead to book your place as it always fills up fast! $15 charge for food an entertainment.
Wendy Welch: Books, Yarn, Cats, Opioids 
I have never, ever, had a problem with wishing people a happy holiday-of-their-choice. Nor with people who didn’t know that I don’t really observe *any* large-scale holidays wishing me a happy holiday-of-their-choice.
I have, however, noticed an increased number of people screaming for attention to their claims to be atheists…I suspect it’s because, if you’ve practiced a religion for many years before you’ve decided you doubt its teachings, you have to *work* at rejecting the habit of faith. People who “just” aren’t religious, or have doubts, aren’t the hysterical would-be-atheists screaming that any reference to your faith huuurts their doubting souls.
Conclusion: agnostics deserve some respect, but people claiming to be atheists who feel hurt by other people’s beliefs need help–not indulgence.
Happy/Merry Festivus! I keep looking for that same Light although, as you noted, it often seems a distant flicker at sometimes and in some folks.
Thanks for the comment Priscilla – I don’t think I mentioned agnostics or atheists at all in this post and don’t think I was indulging anyone either, so I’m not sure I’m understanding your point?
I’m with you, Jack. (I’m a Mennonite–another denomination that works for peace) Wish I could visit the store and meet you and Wendy. Blessings to the two of you during this Christmas season and always.
Well timed wisdom. Thank you for sharing each and every Wednesday.
:]
May I forward this post to my knitting forum? It’s an excellent message that deserves to be shared!
Jeanne Vaver
On Wed, Dec 7, 2016 at 11:29 AM, Wendy Welch, Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap wrote:
> wendywelch posted: “Jack’s Wednesday guest post This is not going to be a > rant, believe me – I’m a Quaker and we don’t do that! As we approach ‘The > Season’ I’m seeing lots of messages on Twitter and Facebook suggesting that > there is some kind of ban on wishing people Merry” >
Feel free!