Tony Blair's a Catholic - Thought Leader

While the more left-leaning British media thrill to the news that Nick Clegg, new leader of the Liberal Democrats, does not believe in God, tonnes of ink is being spilled over Tony Blair’s conversion to Catholicism.

And that’s not all. If you buy the Sunday Telegraph (UK) this week only, you’ll learn that Britain itself has become a Roman Catholic country, with Catholics now outnumbering Anglicans.

It really is a good Yom Tov for the pontiff who has expressed his own delight at the news.

And, further afield, this weekend before Christmas, we learn that one billion people will be tracking Santa’s progress from the North Pole using the Norad satellite, and creationists are launching a theme park in Lancashire.

It certainly has me guessing why Christian countries are so reluctant to celebrate their holidays, without trying to politically correct us all to death.

As you may recall, Tony Blair recently explained during a television interview that any politician (in Britain) who professes to take instructions from a higher being is considered a nutter.

Prince Charles has been sending green “Christmas cards”.

Each year in Britain, the official stance seems to be to play down Christmas in case we offend other faiths or those who don’t believe in creation.

Why?

I am yet to see a Muslim, Jew, Hindu or any other faith who is offended by Christians celebrating Christmas. In fact, many of us enjoy all the traditions that go with this time of year even though we are not followers of the religion.

Why shouldn’t Christians celebrate their holiest days with all the pomp (South Africans please ignore) and ceremony that these days demand? If you offend anyone by doing that, then I’m thrilled to hear it. Anyone who is offended by your rejoicing in your faith has serious issues that can’t be dealt with by non-medical personnel.

In the United States, the American civil liberties clowns are so hell bent on being politically correct that they destroy anything that resembles tradition in favour of appeasing some imaginary herd.

Garbage.

We have seen Muslims and Jews repeatedly taking people to task over the abuse of their religions while the Christian church seems to apologise or explain away its core beliefs.

Why?

If atheists expect — as they should — their right to disbelieve be respected, then so too should Christians, without qualification: the right to free speech weighed against the right to insult and ridicule religion.

Regardless, I wish all of you a very merry Christmas and to all South Africans, a happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year.