As we approach the end....

...of the holiday season, some things to ponder.

I was recently sent a link to a news story in which the headline reads "VA Hospital Refuses to Accept 'Merry Christmas' cards.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/12/25/va-hospital-refuses-to-accept-merry-christmas-cards/
I was skeptical at first as it IS Fox News but I looked around the internets and found more stories to collaborate this one. My reaction was one of complete and utter disgust for the human race; nothing shocking I know.

What ever happened to politeness? When I was growing up I was taught that if someone gave you something out of kindness, from their heart, you accepted it graciously, thanked the person, and the world kept turning. If what you received went against some ideology or religious belief, you threw it away discreetly, read or not. Everybody wins; the person that gave it to you was happy just for the act of giving, and you are happy, not only in knowing that, but also in the fact that you were tested on some belief or another and stood firm. No confrontation needed, no PC required.

I rarely threw things away and instead would read them and when I could (no internet at that point), I would research what the card was about. My parents never discouraged me from learning about other cultures and customs and because I didn't immediately dismiss the literature, I have become knowledgeable in many different religions and traditions. I've learned that no religion or belief system is right or wrong but that it helps a lot of people get through the day and in most cases, through life.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin), Winter Solstice, etc... Does it matter who the god is or what the celebration is for? From an Atheist point of view, I see people taking time out of their busy lives to be with family and friends to celebrate togetherness. It seems to be the time of year when everything stops; the world stops fighting and people become the humans we should be every day of the year. Whether it's motivated by god, Santa, decorated trees or the almighty dollar, I'll take it.