So here's the text of an official Presidential holiday card this year (m)

[jknyc]

They may have more than one official one, but this one bears the Presidential seal, signatures by George and Laura Bush, a return address of the White House, and a postmark of Crawford, Tx., so I'd guess it counts as official.

The back of it says it is paid for by the RNC, so it is not taxpayer dollars.

Front picture is an oil painting with a lovely view of the Mall with the Washington Monument very prominent.

Text:
May your heart and home be filled with the joys of the holiday season.
2006

Let your heart so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16


The main message is non-denominational, but it seems silly to avoid saying Merry Christmas when the Scripture quoted is, well, Scripture, so it's not intended to be anything but a Christian message.

Is the implication here that any donor to the RNC---that's how my DH got the card--is Christian or ought to be? Is that an inclusive message to send after a bitter presidential race that ended in a resounding defeat for the Republican?

[augie]

Values

Was the actual message offensive or the fact that it was from the Bible?

I'm guessing the RNC figures that most of its donors are aware that its platform accurately recognizes the Judeo-Christian heritage that our country was built upon.

http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Values.htm

[jordansmom]

Was the actual message offensive or the fact that it was from the Bible?

I'm guessing the RNC figures that most of its donors are aware that its platform accurately recognizes the Judeo-Christian heritage that our country was built upon.

http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Values.htm

As a Christian I do not see this is a Judeo-Christian message but purely a Christian message.

Where is the connection between recognizing the heritage of the country and sending out specific religious greetings?


To the OP, I do not see the sense in blindly sending this greeting to all donors. Seems rude or ignorant; maybe both.

[nmcd]

I think they'd have been better off saying "Merry Christmas", a fine old holiday dating back to the Romans and a good excuse for a party.

[jknyc]

Was the actual message offensive or the fact that it was from the Bible?

I'm guessing the RNC figures that most of its donors are aware that its platform accurately recognizes the Judeo-Christian heritage that our country was built upon.

http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Values.htm

Where's the Judeo part of Matthew, and our Father? It's not the sentiment at all. It's the delivery attached to the presidential seal which, supposedly, represents the separation of church and state our country was founded upon.

[nmcd]

I agree with Jen. I mean I haven't got anything against Scripture per se. At its best it's literature and expresses some universal human aspiration but this context, on an RCN card at this point in time it's meant to express something Christian as opposed to anything else. I don't see how you can read the part about glorifying your "Father in Heaven" any other way.

[augie]

Matthew was written for the Jews

As a Christian I do not see this is a Judeo-Christian message but purely a Christian message.

Where is the connection between recognizing the heritage of the country and sending out specific religious greetings?

. . .

Well, I'm not a Bible scholar, but in a literal sense - wasn't Matthew's gospel written for a Jewish audience (versus Roman or Greek)? Much of the book is devoted to showing Jesus as the fulfillment of OT prophecy.

What's wrong with sending out a religious message in celebration of one of the most important religious holidays of the year? President Bush is a Christian and since he signed the card it wouldn't make sense for him to say Happy Hannukah or whatever.

I find the particular choice of verse interesting, as well as the use of KJV . . . I suppose they liked the part about the good works.

[augie]

What it represents . . .

. . . It's the delivery attached to the presidential seal which, supposedly, represents the separation of church and state our country was founded upon.

E pluribus unum = "out of many, one"

[jordansmom]

Well, I'm not a Bible scholar, but in a literal sense - wasn't Matthew's gospel written for a Jewish audience (versus Roman or Greek)? Much of the book is devoted to showing Jesus as the fulfillment of OT prophecy.

What's wrong with sending out a religious message in celebration of one of the most important religious holidays of the year? President Bush is a Christian and since he signed the card it wouldn't make sense for him to say Happy Hannukah or whatever.

I find the particular choice of verse interesting, as well as the use of KJV . . . I suppose they liked the part about the good works.

If the RNC is a religious Christian organization then it would make perfect sense for them to send religous messages out - to Christians. Sending them out blindly from a political organization makes no sense.

[freddy]

As a Christian I do not see this is a Judeo-Christian message but purely a Christian message.

How do you distinguish between Judeo-Christian and purely Christian? If it were purely Christian it would have been a message about Christ's birth. But it simply referenced the 'Father in Heaven' which is the same entity, whether one is Jewish or Christian (or, some people believe, Muslim).

[freddy]

It reminds me of the politicians who say 'Missour-ah'. Their constituents who say 'Missour-ah' will feel secure that 'he's like me', and the voters who say 'Missour-ee' will roll there eyes and sigh and go on with their day. Whereas, if the politician had prounounced the state's name properly, perhaps his 'ah' type of supporters would crease their eyebrows and tilt their head to the side and ponder whether or not this man can be trusted.

[jknyc]

How do you distinguish between Judeo-Christian and purely Christian? If it were purely Christian it would have been a message about Christ's birth. But it simply referenced the 'Father in Heaven' which is the same entity, whether one is Jewish or Christian (or, some people believe, Muslim).

Except "Father" in this context refers to part of the Trinity, and Jews don't believe in the Trinity. So it is specifically Christian.

If it were specifically Jewish or Muslim or Budhhist or whatever-ist, I would still think it inappropriate in a card going out with the presidential seal. Bush's private holiday card, he can say whatever he wants. But this is not his private card once he puts the seal of the office on it.

[KirstenP]

Except "Father" in this context refers to part of the Trinity, and Jews don't believe in the Trinity. So it is specifically Christian.

If it were specifically Jewish or Muslim or Budhhist or whatever-ist, I would still think it inappropriate in a card going out with the presidential seal. Bush's private holiday card, he can say whatever he wants. But this is not his private card once he puts the seal of the office on it.

I agree. I think any card sent by POTUS with scripture is inappropriate. If it's his personal card, fine.

Kirsten