Revival rescues Christmas, McCarrick says

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The tug of war between political correctness and Christmas became more prominent this year because of a revival of Christianity, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop of Washington, said yesterday.

"Those who are so opposed to [Christmas] feel that the tide is turning now, once again, against them," Cardinal McCarrick said. "I think that might be because those who are so opposed to it feel that they're caught in a corner.

"I believe there is a real revival of religion in our country, not just of Christianity, not just of the traditional religions, but of people who really believe in God and may not be able to express it in the words of present-day religion," the Catholic cleric told "Fox News Sunday."

A Fox News-Opinion Dynamics poll found that 51 percent of those surveyed agree public displays of Christmas symbols were more under attack this year than before.

Many local leaders are calling Christmas trees "community trees"; a New Jersey school district banned Christmas carols; a judge ordered a Florida town to take down a manger, but it was allowed to put up a menorah.

These were among widespread signs of the de-Christianizing of Christmas that made national news.

Noting the hugely successful movie "The Passion of the Christ" depicting the final hours in the life of Jesus, as well as best-selling editions of Time and Newsweek devoted to Christ's birth, Cardinal McCarrick said fascination with, and faith in, Jesus continues to grow.

"There are more than a billion and a half people in the world today who believe in the Lord Jesus," the cardinal said.

Even many nonbelievers continue to celebrate Christmas to mark the birth about 2,000 years ago of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the perfect son of God, who later would die on a cross so that God could forgive the sins of mankind.

Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, was asked during her own appearance on Fox about the political correctness of banning Christmas trees and depictions of the Nativity.