Christmas means many things to many people. To some it is a religious festival. To some, it is family time. To others, it may mean absolutely nothing at all. Most prefer to ignore the fact that Christmas was celebrated by Pagans and other religions, before Christianity adopted it.
Some spend a fortune on Christmas. Others make a fortune on Christmas. Some love the fuss of Christmas, others wish they could do without all the nonsense which surrounds Christmas.
We are all entitled to interpret Christmas and celebrate it in the way we choose (or choose not to); but every year some Christians moan that the true meaning is being overlooked.
Here goes Ms. Bond again:
Macarthur Advertiser, 18th December 2013.
She demands everybody should celebrate Christmas the Christian way and - in particular - her interpretation of the Christian way.
Judith Bond's regular letters make it clear that she sees Australia as a Christian country and she will never accept anything less. Her world view is confrontational and much of Christianity is all about conquering.
In contrast, Secularism is non-confrontational, although many choose (incorrectly) to equate Secularism with Atheism.
Australia is a multi-cultural society and that means a multi-religious society too. There cannot be one law for Christians and another law for other religions or non-believers. They must all be treated equally - Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Scientologists, Agnostics and Atheists. (The latter two make up almost one third of Australian Society).
The Constitution of Australia is a Secular document and we cannot tell people which god they have to follow. Nor should we discriminate in favour (or against) any religious belief. Secularism permits all people to enjoy the freedom and the right to worship whichever version of god they wish to - or indeed not to worship any god at all.
Here in Campbelltown each November people gather to celebrate the myth of Fisher's Ghost. I believe that is a bit eccentric - but it brings people together. My personal belief is that the Jesus story is a fabricated myth too and therefore does not merit my celebration - but I accept that others see it differently. The important thing is not to allow it to divide us, Ms. Bond.
Each to his or her own.