Taking Offence is a Volitional Act

Kindness Matters


I Turned My Coworker Into HR When She Gave Me A Christmas Card, And She Changed My Heart


Chad Felix Greene
The Federalist


For years I have been one of the only Jewish people at my places of employment. I am currently the only Jew who wears a kippah at my office every day. In my heavily Southern Baptist and rural town, one would think I would be quite familiar with the consequences of being such an outsider.

But, as any honest minority will tell you, that singular idea of what America must be like simply is not accurate. This image often lives exclusively in the minds of those intent on viewing the world as a hostile place, filled with bigotry

This reminds me of a woman who illustrates this disconnect perfectly. For a long time, in my early working years, I felt extremely uncomfortable around Christmas time. I was far more liberal then and far more suspicious of Christians around me.  I would walk around listening to Christmas music while attempting to block out all religious connotations. I would drive past Nativity scenes on public property and scowl at their imposition of Christian faith on everybody. I bitterly frowned at the lack of Chanukah-related decorations at the local stores. I felt completely outside of society, looking in from the cold at happy families eating their large Christmas dinners.

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

An older woman who worked with me then gave everyone a personalized Christmas card each year. The card even had a small, hand-placed candy attached. The first time she gave me a card, I instantly frowned with disapproval, as the cover featured a glittery Nativity scene. I tossed the card aside and shook my head at her utter lack of respect for my religious beliefs.

The "Problem" of Free Speech

Offensive Camper Vans

Matters of public decency are always problematic.  On the one hand, free speech advocates rush to defend public speech (signs, displays, words) that generally support their own views.  Thus, grossly offensive "art" in galleries and museums ridiculing Christian doctrines or people are riotously celebrated.  But when the "cause" is contrary to hedonistic or libertine principles, it quickly becomes another matter.

We have seen just such a case in New Zealand--the Wicked Campers affair.  Wicked Campers rent out cheap and nasty camper vans for tourists to hire and beetle around the country.  Their vans are always recognizable: garishly painted, with crude and offensive slogans--usually demeaning women.  A few female politicians have harrumphed and trumpeted their ire at Wicked Campers.  Not a few Christians are likely asking Cabinet Ministers Paula Bennett, Louise Upston, Amy Adams, and Maggie Barry  the odd rhetorical question like, How does it feel now?

Ironically, many of Wicked Campers clients are female tourists.