Ben Stein about Christmas
December 12th, 2006 ~ Current eventsAs I usually end up saying, I just love Ben Stein. Here’s something from his Web-site (link HERE):
Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:
I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? …
Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren’t allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to
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December 12th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
(snicker). I used to have the exact same reaction when Nick and Jessica were splattered all over the rags in the store. I guess i’m old too. I’ve never totally figured them out - and don’t wish to be clued in either.
Sure do miss Mr. Stein’s tv show.
Deb
December 13th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Interesting…I’ve actually heard several Jews say that they love “Christmastime” they think it’s kind of fun.
December 14th, 2006 at 9:31 am
Deb,
Yep, me too. I finally figured out who Brad and Jennifer were (yes, I’m THAT out of touch), but I’m not going to get Nick and Jessica or Pam and Kid. And if someone told me — which probably wouldn’t take long — I’d be certain to say, “Oh. And we care about them why?”
The show was really cute, wasn’t it? Don’t know if you noticed back when I talked about Philadelphia, but the Constitution museum has one area called, “Ask Ben Stein questions about the Constitution.” You can watch a short movie that loops of Ben sitting in a coffee shop with a pile of letters with Constitution questions. Don’t know if the questions are from real people, but he’s a very smart and well-spoken dude — and of course he’s funny. Wish there were more like him.
December 14th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Erica,
Makes sense to me. When we lived in England, I thought Guy Fawkes Day was cool and when we lived in Saudi Arabia I even thought Ramadan was interesting. I don’t want to be totally insensitive to people’s feelings, but I think that this is a matter of some malcontents griping and people who never liked Christmas choosing to make a federal case out of it.
December 16th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
Thanks for posting his comments. I guess that it’s been so long since I’ve been a regular tv viewer that I needed reminding who Ben Stein is :) However I love his comments and will check his website for more, thanks for the post.
December 16th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Well, it’s a little funny telling people who he is, because pop culture lovers will know him most for his deliciously laconic roles in movies like “The Mask” and “Ferris Bueller.” But besides having that status as an iconic character actor, he’s got an impressive resume that you wouldn’t suspect: a lawyer, speechwriter, professor, economist and columnist.
I come across his writings in conservative circles, but I don’t think you have to be conservative to appreciate his wonderful and warm writings, especially since they’re abundantly laced with heartfelt expressions of his gratitude and praise of God.
December 16th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
BTW, here’s a Wiki entry with his picture, in case anyone still can’t quite place the name.