I get e-mails from the American Family Association. They exist to get people upset and active about what's wrong morally in the United States. E-mail topics I remember from them are:

• Boycott & Write WalMart about a donation to a pro-homosexual group
• Boycott Target for banning the Salvation Army
• Write your senators about preserving the legality of historical/traditional Marriage (will blog on this topic sometime)
• Writing the President because rumor had it that Kid Rock would be at his inaugeration

And most recently:

• Boycott all stores that don't require employees and posters to say "Merry Christmas."
  

When did Jesus get upset about not receiving corporate recognition and endorsement?

Where in the Bible does it say we should even have a holiday on a Catholic celebration which was originally a Pagan holiday that early Christians used to celebrate Jesus' birth so they wouldn't get killed for making a new holiday to what would have been to the pagans a "new deity."

Now... the logic that calling something a "holiday" - from the root of "Holy Day" as being non-religious is just poor logic. Yes, people outlawing "Christmas" are doing so out of personal repulsion for the "Christ" part. Halloween (Catholic - All Hallow's Eve), Easter (Persian to goddess Ishtar?), Valentine's Day (Catholic - St. Valentine) and all kinds of other "holidays" are clearly religious in origin.

So I understand the frustration at the corporate and state sponsored denial of Jesus. I'm more than frustrated about the monotheism of commercialism as capitalized shortly after the winter solstice. But we're not responding how Jesus did. Or am I forgetting the passage:

"Truly I say to you, do not purchase from this man, for he has not publicly displayed on his 'Buy1 sandal 2nd for half price' sign my divinity - truly he will be cursed and worse than Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of their destruction. For with each sale of cheap goods my divinity is to be acknowledged, and my name should always be associated with shoddy workmanship and the idolatry of mammon."

(From the gospel of Walton)

I've found that with technology I live in extremes. I own a "robot" vacuum, so I don't have to push the vacuum around. I've got a decent computer setup - a desktop and a laptop (or two), and I'm starting my own company doing internet development and web page design for small businesses and non-profits.

At the same time, I own a manual "reel" mower - no motor, just those blades that roll as you push. I have no microwave, no television, and no cell phone.

Until today.

Today I received my first cell phone in the mail. It's a little odd to have one after rebelling against this cultural norm for so long. A few years ago we moved to a new apartment, and our phone lines didn't transfer correctly. We were without a phone. I had to place several support calls to Qwest (eww) from the leasing office. They all went like this.

Me: My home phone is down, it was supposed to be transferred to my new apartment yesterday.
Q: Can I have your cell phone number so we can be in contact about this?
Me: I don't own a cell phone. That's why it's so important that I get my home phone working.
Q: Oh, it's okay, we just need your cell number so we can call you back to keep you updated.
Me: I don't own a cell phone. Please get my home phone line repaired.
Q: Oh....Q: We'll give you a call on your cell when the technician is on his way. Could I get that number?
Me: Actually, I don't have a cell phone.

Me: I'll just take a Tall Chinese Flower tea please.

Barista: We only have Venti cups left right now so we're just filling them half full for Talls.

Me: Well... Can you just fill it up or would I have to pay for the extra hot water?

Barista: We'd have to charge you for a Venti tea.

Me: Then can I just have a Tall tea and a Venti cup of hot water?

Employee: Sure.