Should I talk about these?
It seems when anyone has an opinion about any issues, someone will get offended. For some who talk about tolerance, they are the most intolerance of all. Those who impose their views on political correctness in the name of tolerance seem to be as intolerant as the "red necks".
Should I express my views on some "burning issues"? Or should I pause and mediate logically about some controversies without much heated emotional debate? My thoughts may not be politically correct. I will not impose my opinions on anyone. However, I do not want anyone to impose their opinions on me.
Here are just a few topics. I am certain that this list will grow.
Merry Christmas
"You cannot wish that anymore, not everyone here celebrate Christmas." "We live in a multicultural society. We have people from all religions. You have to respect other cultures that do not celebrate Christmas. Just say "Happy Holiday". For those who are so concern about offending other cultures, is it offensive to wish a non-Chinese a "Happy Chinese New Year" or "Kung Hei Fat Choy" (wishing you a prosperous time)?
Why do we have to be afraid of wishing someone a joyful day? Do those who are offended by "merry Christmas" not take their days off during the Christmas season? Have those people never taken the advantage of the Boxing Days sale? Since I live in the Great White North, it is just nice to celebrate and have a festive season during this long dark cold days of winter.
I do not mind incorporating Christmas in my culture. I will even "celebrate" the Buddha's birthday by sleeping in as long as the government makes it a public hoilday.
Separation of Church and State
I believe in the doctrine of the “Separation of the Church and State”. It gives the limitation of what the “State” or “government” can impose on her citizens. The government cannot impose a “church” or “religious” tax on the people. The government cannot impose their beliefs (either religious, denominational or atheist) on the people. People should have their rights to choose their beliefs, may it be Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim, Hindu, Sikhism, atheist, etc. Atheism is a religion. It is a belief system that worships no god. Secularism is a religion by itself. It is a belief that isolate god from all human activities. The government should not promote or discourage any religious beliefs. Of course, the government could sanction against the practice of sects who use religion to spread hatred, superstitious practices, harming oneself and others. The Jones Town massacre, the Davidian massacre, recent terrorist attacks, and scam artists are examples that the state could and should interfere with criminals that use religion as a front to achieve their goals.
On the other hand, separation does not mean the church, people with a religious conviction or religious groups have no rights to speak out for or against government policy. Religious groups have the same rights like any other special interest groups or advocacy groups to promote or defend their views. The government or other special interest group cannot simply use the doctrine of separation of church and state to prevent the church, any religious group or people with a faith conviction to state their opinion about government legislation. If the church is prohibited to express their view just because it is the opinion of a religious belief, we are no better off then living in a communist or dictatorial state.