Banning all public expressions of Christianity
Maybe a "journalist" should learn something before she assumes a dark and sinister agenda.
Imagine being offended by a genuine gesture of goodwill. Imagine hearing someone wish you well and think it is part of a grand conspiracy to implement Christian nationalism. You do not have to imagine it, because that actually happened. The Editor-In-Chief of Mother Jones complained on X (formerly Twitter) that a flight attendant wishing people a "blessed" night was "Creeping Christian nationalism."
Keep in mind that the esteemed "journalist" knows literally nothing about the flight attendant: Not her religion, her political affiliation, or her views on policy or social issues. The "journalist" did not bother considering etymology or the cultural history of that expression of goodwill. Simply based on one word, the "journalist" assumed a dark agenda meant to control people and replace the United States government with a theocracy. This is a conspiracy theory every bit as deranged as QAnon.
People are offended by the phrase "Merry Christmas," but at least that is an explicit reference to Christianity. (The phrase is also used by atheists, as it has become a general expression of goodwill in December.) But someone who is Muslim, Jewish, or Hindu can wish someone a "blessed" evening. Even an atheist who grew up in the South can use that phrase, without any religious connotation.
If there is a sinister agenda present in this dust-up, it is not "Christian nationalism." It is that radical Leftists want to totally ban any hint of Christianity from public places. They want businesses meticulously policing the language of their employees so that they are not "triggered" by anything that reminds them of Christianity. This totalitarianism is antithetical to a culture of free speech, pluralism and tolerance.
How about this: Rather than assuming nefarious intent or a wide-ranging conspiracy, just take an expression of goodwill in the spirit it was intended. You do not have to agree with the word, and you can even roll your eyes, but when you publicly rage at someone for well-wishes you are not proving anything. You are beclowning yourself. We have enough things to worry about, and enough political and cultural conflict, without creating a needless fight over a sincere expression of goodwill.
