I am an atheist, but I have a Christmas tree in my house. I listen to tons of Christmas music,

starting earlier in the year than I care to admit. I love Christmas light displays. I exchange

gifts with friends and family. I even host a huge Christmas cookie party at my house every

single year. So, no, I am not fighting a war on Christmas. But there are Christians who believe that

you shouldn't celebrate Christmas. They accurately point out that this is a holiday rooted in pagan

traditions. They cite Bible verses that forbid Christians from following pagan practices. For example,

Deuteronomy says that adopting pagan-inspired practices

to honor God is unacceptable. The Second Commandment forbids making graven images, like nativity

scenes, they argue. And perhaps the most obvious instruction is Jeremiah, which forbids Christians

from following the pagan tradition, where pagans, quote,

cut a tree out of the forest and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with

silver and gold. They fasten it with hammer and nails, so it will not totter. Yes, they point out

that the Bible forbids Christmas trees. So it turns out there is a war on Christmas, but it isn't being fought by the people that Fox News want you to hate.

In reality, the war on Christmas is being fought by Christians.

Now, obviously, there are Christians who find nothing wrong with following these pagan traditions, but that's the point, isn't it?

If serious devoted Christians

disagree on whether Christmas traditions are sinful, how can anyone consider the Bible a reliable

source of fact? Obviously, this question applies to not just Christmas, but every area where Christians

disagree about the will of God, from tiny

issues like whether you can get a tattoo or have a drink, to serious matters like the

acceptability of divorce, to the biggest issue of all, salvation. If you ask 10 Christians

whether faith alone can save you, or if you also need good works,

...