Below is a note anonymously placed in my mailbox by a student in one of my Cultural
Geography classes in 1997.  This is not the worst message I've ever been sent, but what bothers me about this note is not its content (more about that later), but rather the level of ignorance and lack of attention that it displays.  My goal is to challenge students to THINK, something too few of us do, much less in regard to religion.  It is rarely my intention to offend, although it happens.  To be charitable, religion is a touchy subject; I’m gratefiul the student’s fury was dispensed with a pen rather than a sword.  Yet, if any set of religious beliefs cannot withstand simple questions, then of what value is it?  In any event, this is a good object lesson for students in paying attention and thinking things through.  It also serves as fair warning to anyone thinking about teaching of what students can get wrong and therefore what might be relayed to their parents.

Now to address each of the student’s concerns:

1  My comment about Christmas had nothing to do with the fact that it celebrates the birth of Jesus but why it is celebrated on December 25.  I love Christmas and celebrate it vigorously.  If the student had bothered to listen to what I said, he/she would realize that I was pointing out that Christianity developed within the context of the Roman Empire and that while Christmas commemorates the birth, the fact that it is celebrated on December 25 has nothing to with when Jesus was born.  Christmas is a celebration of a new light in the world; I can’t think of a better time to celebrate that than after the winter solstice (the setting for the Roman Saturnalia Festival).  The actual time of year that Jesus was born is of little consequence to Christianity in general.  Christmas commonly was not celebrated at all until recent centuries and even was outlawed in colonial New England for a time.  Also, while the “jerk” part may be a matter for debate, I am a Christian, so I fail to understand where the bigotry comes in.

2  Have I ever been to Israel?  No, but I hope to soon.  Nonetheless, an examination of data pertaining to Israel (CIA World Factbook, 1997 Internet Edition) reveals that only two percent of the population there is Christian (appoximately 108,400 people), which supports my contention that Christianity is no longer widely practiced there.  I never said there are no Christians in Israel.  In fact, I pointed out that an entire quarter of Jerusalem is devoted to Armenians -- the first nation of people as a whole to convert to Christianity (consult the map I handed out).

3  Have I read the Bible?  Several times and not nearly enough.  I keep a copy in my office for just these kinds of emergencies (sorry traditionalists, I use the NIV).  According to our flawed calendar, Jesus was born in 4 or 5 BCE.  Jesus’ last appearance as a child was at age 12 (CE 7 or 8), when he was found preaching in the temple (Luke 2:41-52).  Jesus’ next appearance was at his baptism around CE 26, when he would have been 30 or 31 (Luke 3:23, for example).  What Jesus was doing from the ages of 12 to 30 is one of the great mysteries of the Bible.  In the context of Palestine during Jesus’ lifetime -- when life expectancy was in the 30s -- a geographer might very well ask where Jesus was, what he was doing, and who he was talking to during the balance of his lifetime and in the crossroads of the Ancient World.  Does it matter in the broader context of Christianity?  No, but it’s fun to think about.  Unfortunately, the writers of the New Testament showed no concern over the gap and although certain Gnostic texts reveal details about Jesus’ childhood, they too are silent about the intervening 18 years.  If the student has some secret knowledge, please share it with us!

I hope that my explanations vindicate me.
It might also help the student to consult Luke 6:37-42.