People will never be able to take the “holy day” out of the holiday.

When will people learn that the conviction of our beliefs is what makes us Americans? Conviction is what fueled our forefathers of the 13 colonies to break away and start a new nation based on freedoms from persecution and tyranny. Conviction is what is lacking in today’s American society when we let individuals persuade us that the public celebration of a religious and poignant holy day such a Christmas is offensive and unconstitutional.

The silent majority who celebrate the holy day of Christmas must stand firm in their convictions, no matter what the denomination, and say enough is enough. They have the right, publicly and personally, to celebrate any holy day that they cherish. This guarantee of freedom of religious expression is written in the First Amendment of our American Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Separation of church and state prevents an official state religion, but does not prohibit the public expression of religious beliefs. If it did, that would be state-sponsored atheism, which is a belief and a form of religion.

Those who believe in the sanctity of Christmas must stand up to specific persecution with conviction. Remember, others will never be able to take the holy day out of our holiday.

May we always remember Christ in Christmas and not shrink in the face secular persecution.

The Rev. Ted Toppses, Lewiston