'Twas the month before Christmas - Religious Tolerance

OK guys, I worked on this all day! I got this first poem in an email this morning and it got me riled up, so below it is my version. Read both and enjoy! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

> 'Twas the month before Christmas
> When all through our land,
> Not a Christian was praying
> Nor taking a stand.
>
> See the PC Police had taken away,
> The reason for Christmas - No one could say.
> The children were told by their schools not to sing,
> About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
>
> It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
> December 25th is just a " Holiday ."
> Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
> Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
>
> CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
> Something was changing, something quite odd!
> Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
> In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
>
> As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
> At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.
> At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
> You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
>
> Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty
> Are words that were used to intimidate me.
> Now Daschle, Now Durbin, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
> On Boxer, on Reed, on Kerry, on Clinton !
>
> At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
> To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
> And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
> Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
>
> The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
> The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
> So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
> Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
> Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
> Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!
>

And now for my stab at some rip-off poetry:

'Twas the month before Christmas
When all through the land,
Lots of Christians were complaining
About not taking a stand.

They claimed nobody cared about the REAL Christmas anymore
About praying and saying, "GOD BLESS THE POOR!"
They said the PC Police had taken away
Their reason for Christmas –Oh, that holy day!

Of course, Christians own the whole month of December,
And two weeks 'fore Thanksgiving – half of November!
No other holiday, celebration, or festival dare intrude,
To celebrate anything but Jesus, that would just spoil the mood.

But seriously folks, only half of us follow religion-
And of that half, only three-quarters are Christ-smitten.
So why then, can you tell me, is diversity a bad word?
Because five-eighths of us choose not to follow your herd?

Now Target, now Lowe's, now Staples and Stein Mart!
On Pet Smart, on Walmart, on Michael's and K-Mart!
Throw up your candles, your stars, your dreidels,
But keep your trees, your wisemen, AND your cradles.

This month is for celebrating, for caring, for lovin',
So what if some neighbors do Solstice with their Coven?
Just put up your tree, your lights, your nativity,
Stop scowling when others want a different activity.

Want to know the truth about the season, eh Christians?
Your customs are mostly taken from Pagan traditions!
In fact Christmas is truly just Saturnalia in disguise-
Jesus was really born in June! Eek! What a surprise!

Perhaps the government IS trying to "eliminate" Jesus-
It's a 200 year old issue, religious freedom to please us.
But don't worry, it won't happen: the House and Senate still pray
Before every session, each and every day.

So let's get a move-on separating church and state,
Be sensitive to your fellow citizens when you celebrate.
If you want to wish people a "Merry Christmas", okay,
But don't be offended if they reply with a very merry "HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"