He definitely didn't read my letter...

Dear Christopher:

Thank you for contacting me about H.Res. 847, a resolution
recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

I've spent my entire life, both public and private, as a
defender of religious freedom for all, and of persecuted religious
groups around the world, regardless of whether they are Christians,
Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or Jews. I take deep offense at the
suggestion that I am anti-Christian or anti-Christmas. I am neither.
As a citizen, I am deeply grateful for the contributions of
Christians and Christianity to our founding principles and our
national life. I am, however, also a determined and fervent
advocate for the Constitutional principle of the separation of
Church and State, which I believe has been a profound blessing for
our nation. The neutrality of our government with regard to
religion is not merely incidental to our domestic tranquility; it is a
key reason that every faith has been able to blossom throughout
our country. It was in this context that I voted against the
resolution.

The nonbinding "sense of Congress" resolutions for Diwali
and Ramadan were very different from the resolution regarding
Christmas and the Christian faith, in that they contained no
theological or parochial belief. The Diwali resolution recognizes
the "festival" of Diwali as a day of thanksgiving, and expresses
appreciation for the religious diversity in India and the United
States. The Ramadan resolution did not even once mention
Muhammad. Its key points were to express concern about the
misrepresentation of Islam by extremists as an excuse for violence
and terrorism; to encourage democracy and tolerance; and to
commend those Muslims who have already spoken out and
rejected the purveyors of hatred and strife. The message was
political, not religious.

Had the resolution on Christmas and Christianity merely
expressed appreciation for both without putting the House on
record regarding what Christians do or don't believe about their
religion, I would gladly have supported it, as might have the other
forty or so other Congressmen who either voted "No" or refused to
vote. I did not vote against Christmas: I merely voted against a
resolution that was inappropriately religious in both tone and
content. My only regret is that my views and my vote have been
so thoroughly misrepresented.

I appreciate your strong interest in this matter and I will
continue to listen to all points of view on this and any other
subject.

Congressman Gary L. Ackerman