Some things just seem to go together. As one thing increases or decreases, often there is a correlating increase or decrease in something else. This can be the case with moral issues too. 

 

For example, given what seems to be increasing hostility toward Christianity in our society, it shouldn’t surprise us to see increasing examples of attacks against it as well. 

 

Recently, we looked at blasphemy (speech or actions of hatred, defiance or mockery against God, Catechism of the Catholic Church 2148) as an example of an offense against the Second Commandment. While that dealt with the potential for committing this sin in a personal way, we can also see broader, more public examples of it. 

 

While Advent and Christmas are wonderful opportunities to grow in our faith, they also provide those wishing to attack Christianity with added motivation to do so, especially because the seasons are so rich with Christian symbols. 

 

Each year, both individuals and groups, protest or openly mock religious displays and the sacred Christian celebration. Where there’s decreased tolerance for Christianity, there’s likely to be increased tolerance of blasphemous remarks made against it. 

 

An example of this decreased tolerance manifested itself in the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. this year. The archdiocese attempted to run a Christmas ad on public transportation buses, as it had previously. However, the request was denied. 

 

When the archdiocese protested what appeared to be religious discrimination, the opposition claimed that the denial was justified because their ads emphasized Christmas as a religious holiday, and the transit authority didn’t want religious advertising to be seen as an endorsement of the holiday. This, despite the fact that ads emphasizing the secular aspects of Christmas (shopping, etc.) were allowed. 

 

It’s an interesting, even if nonsensical, argument. It’s acceptable to advertise a special Christmas sale so that someone knows where to buy gifts for their Christmas celebration, but it’s not acceptable to remind people what Christmas celebrates. Ads helping someone celebrate certain aspects of Christmas are fine, but ads helping someone celebrate its original, religious and truest aspects are not.

Interestingly, the archdiocese’s advertisement never mentioned Christmas nor Christianity directly. It simply had the phrase “Find the Perfect Gift” with an image of shepherds and sheep looking at a bright star. The ad included a link, which takes one to a website with Mass times and locations and archdiocesan outreach program information — like where the hungry could find a meal for Christmas. 

 

Nevertheless, this is just an example of the growing intolerance of Christianity and isn’t itself blasphemous. However, it does help set the stage where examples of blasphemy can become more common. 

 

In recent years, organized groups have paid for billboard ads mocking the celebration of Christmas. This year is no different. Ads incorporating a nativity scene with the words “Fake News” over it, or billboards claiming Christmas is a “fairy tale” and should be abandoned by rational people will be seen around the country. 

 

In California there was a “gay nativity scene” set up incorporating two Joseph statues on either side of the baby Jesus. These examples are clearly blasphemous, and yet we shouldn’t be entirely surprised. 

Being born into our world led our Lord to be hated, attacked and mocked — by the very people who needed Him the most. There will always be those who hate, attack and mock Him as His birth is celebrated. And so while we might be saddened or disturbed by these examples and trends, we should take to heart the example of the Lord. 

 

We, like Him, should act, not with hatred or anger toward those who mock Him or us, but instead with acts of goodness and kindness. If we witness these things or others like them, may we pray for those who do them, and for those who do not know Him. 

 

And may we commit ourselves to answer every blasphemy we may encounter against God with double the praise for Him!