THE QATSPY® Quapaw Aviation Tiger Sportswear & Performance Yukan Outfitter
By: Charles W. Boatright, President of THE QATSPY®
Religious Freedom of Speech, Press, & Expression– 1st Amendment deals with Freedom of Religion that encompasses Freedom of Speech & Press. It isn’t by coincidence that the first Freedom is the Freedom of Religion followed by Speech/Press.
This December 07th, we will be observing the 1941 attack at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Imperial Forces that was the catalyst for World War II. But, it is also the first night of Hanukkah for the Jewish People that mark 2,187 years the Jewish people defended their religious Freedoms. What is special about Hanukkah is that this wasn’t an effort to defend a nation’s sovereignty only, but to defend their religious freedom, beliefs, and practices without coercion.
The First Amendment
It isn’t just by coincidence that James Madison, who was the author of the Bill of Right and one of the authors of The Federalist Papers, that I have read several times, stated first, the Freedom of Religion in the First Amendment. The Freedom of Religion also encompasses the other two Freedoms we should all hold dear, that is Freedom of Speech and of the Press.
Hanukkah has been celebrated since 164 BC when the Maccabees rebels took back their Temple in efforts to defend their religious freedom. The Syrians wanted to spread the faith of Hellenisms among the Jewish population in Judah by means of coercion. This was after the Syrian Army captured the Temple in Jerusalem.
I also believe in the 2nd Amendment in how we securer our 1st Amendment from foreign or domestic threats.
Freedom of or Even From Religion
We all have the right and Freedom of Expression in how we practiced our faith, our speech, and in how we pen those expressions. You don’t counter and/or confront what is considered hate speech and objectionable articles with suppression, you do it with the truth and exposing the false narratives with fervent examination.
The Freedom of, or from, Religion is the cornerstone of our Constitution that has made The United States the beacon for almost these two-and-a-half centuries. Even if you aren’t Jewish, we can all celebrate our unalienable Rights and Freedoms that we must defend. You don’t have to light candles on a Menorah to celebrate our Independence, Rights and Freedoms.
We the people have the Freedoms, Rights, and Independence to pursue Life, Liberty, and pursuit of happiness as declared in our country’s Declaration of Independence that we celebrate with fireworks. We can also celebrate our Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with lights on a tree and/or with lighting a simple candle instead of a Menorah this time of year.
I will be lighting my Menorah starting at sundown Thursday, December 7th, 2023. Just remember to extinguish the candles if you leave the room for a long period time, leave your house, or before going to bed. December is one of the highest months for house fires due to space heaters, lit Christmas trees, and frying turkeys.
Even Christ Celebrated Hanukkah
Even Christ, observed Hanukkah (meaning Dedication) in the New Testament as noted in John 10:22-23 Then came the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.
During Hanukkah and Christmas, I’m reminded of Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Light is used to expose the darkness to the light is truth.
The History of Hanukkah
Hanukkah (Hebrew for Dedication) dates back to 164 BC when Maccabees recaptured the 2nd Temple from the Syrian Army under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes and Hellenistic Jews that were in opposition to the Jewish culture and beliefs.
When the Maccabees rebels recapture the Temple they looked for the ceremonial olive oil that was used to fuel the Menorah. According to the accounts, there was only enough olive oil to fuel the Menorah for one day. The olive oil in the Menorah, as recorded, burned for seven- days. In some accounts, the olive oil burned for eight- days, thus celebrating Hanukkah for eight- days.
The middle candle is the flame of our faith that is the witness to others.
I would like on behalf of THE QATSPY® to wish you and yours- Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Happy and prosperous New Year.