COLLECTIVE EYE ROLLING EXERCISE
There is a parade of lights and a downtown lighting ceremony in Denver. But don't expect to hear bands playing Christmas carols. They're banned lest someone becomes offended. "Merry Christmas" signs are out but "Happy Holidays" signs are okay.

You can have holiday celebrations as long as you don't mention the holidays by name. Now that's pretty silly -- or paranoid.

Why are we so afraid of offending people? Why are we so easily offended? It wouldn't bother me in the least bit to have a choir singing Hanukkah songs in a parade or a Sikh or Muslim group singing some of their songs. As a matter of fact I'd find that interesting -- and an opportunity to engage in conversation about the differences between Christian holidays and celebrations that other groups have. If you are solid in your beliefs you aren't afraid to hear or see something different. We are in collective denial about differences.

This spills over into the churches where we want to embrace everyone and everything so that no one feels offended or left out. Check out David Neff's great review of Caroline A. Westerhoff's new book Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality.

How about another eye roller? A California teacher has been banned from using portions of the Declaration of Independence in his 5th grade classroom because of references to "God," "Creator," and "Supreme Judge." He's suing.