By Staff
November 20, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Steven Levy is a CBS News presenter. Last Sunday he did a commentary on CBS Sunday Morning.
What led to the Commentary was the news that the White House referred to Christmas Trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year.
Steven Levy objects to the White House Christmas Tree being called a Holiday Tree.
“I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat”
“Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren’t allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
“In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny, it’s intended to get you thinking.
“In light of recent events… Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school… The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
“Then Dr. Steven Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he’s talking about.. And we said okay..
The White House has decided to call this a Holiday Tree.
“Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
“Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with ‘We reaphat we sow”.
“Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
“Are you laughing yet?
“Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
“Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.”
Why, oh why, does the silent majority in this country have to relinquish to a vocal minority which is “hell bent” to eliminate traditions, customs and practices that have been successful, appreciated, and yes, loved by MOST people in this country. The press is known for demonizing anything positive, and when certain leaders encourage such practices, once again, the “silent majority” goes along with it—“for heavens sake we don’t want to muddy the waters”, or “be politically incorrect”. Bah humbug to all those wanting to change what has worked for centuries. It’s NOT a holiday tree—actually it’s a CHRISTMAS tree, and I wish you all, who will accept my greeting–MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
This is not true – this was a cobbled together speech originally spoken by Ben Stein in 2005, repeated and pieced together via the internet since, now falsely credited to Levy. Check your sources on this.
What a load of curmudgeonly drivel. The only reason for the word “holiday” instead of the word “Christmas” is to include those that celebrate different holidays. It’s not about pushing anyone around. You can still call it a Christmas tree if you want to.
And then the commentator goes on to claim “our children have no consicience, they don’t know right from wrong, and it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers – just because we don’t physically abuse them any more? Whose children is he talking about here? Is the writer even aware that criminal activity among youth is at an all-time low. Despite what the media says, and despite the challenges we’ve passed on to them through our actions and lack of action, the kids are alright.
Personally, I don’t care if you wish me a Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, a Joyous Kwanzaa, or whatever. I’m just happy you took the time to say something nice to me.
How can anybody be so intolerant as to be offended by a Christmas tree?
Good for him. Everyone should respect the religious holidays of their neighbours.