One thing that the Panda Bear is glad in her new job that not much is made of Christmas. The Panda Bear was raised that it was wrong to celebrate Christmas. Until about 2001 the Panda Bear did not have problem with the office Christmas. What went on even in the office was basically secular though this was called Christmas+.
However, after 2001, though the name was changed to “Holiday”,
for one month, the Panda Bear get barraged about the “Christian” nature of the
holiday. These messages have included
managers of secular organizations. Through
the Christians at work, the Panda Bear has learned about the “Christian” nature
of some ornaments that the Panda Bear once thought of as simply pretty
decorations.
Though Christians are the overwhelming majority of the Panda
Bear’s workplace, they feel angry and persecuted. They feel oppressed if they cannot express
their religion at work even though the institution they work for is secular and
is located in a large diverse urban environment which the includes many
religions and nonbelievers.
The Panda Bear believes Christianity is not well served in offices
on the holidays. It does not come across
as a religion of hope, faith, charity, love and goodwill. Rather it comes across and self-centered,
militant and materialistic (endless discussions of shopping for presents).
