Each year we go through the same holiday controversy as Christians insist on placing the sacred symbol of their religion - the nativity scene - on public property. They ignore the fact that the public square (a general term meaning any city, state or federal government property) is owned by the taxpaying public, and churches do not pay taxes.

This arrogant takeover is especially resented by non-churchgoing taxpayers because they are twice-taxed to support these Christians: first by being required to pay the property tax for their churches and their religious schools - schools that teach doctrines offensive to non-believers; and second, by having to subsidize the tax-exemption that churches and religious organizations all enjoy. Currently some churches have openly violated this exemption agreement by engaging in prohibited political activity to advance their religious doctrines.

Despite having multitudes of churches in which the nativity crèche could be displayed, the recipients of all that largesse now want to challenge those same taxpayers by taking over our public places to display that special symbol of their faith. They seem to think this is their just due because they believe that "Jesus is the reason for the season." They are wrong. The Winter Solstice was a Pagan Holiday that was essentially co-opted by the new sect of Christians for tactical purposes. Pagans had been celebrating the Winter Solstice - the date when days begin to lengthen - for centuries before this. Christians merely chose that date (which happened to be December 25 by the Julian calendar in use at the time) to celebrate their Savior's birth so they could do so undetected. It also helped that the birthday of Mithra, another savior-god in vogue at the time, was celebrated on that same date, so Christians could blend in without fear of reprisal.

Many non-Christians still celebrate the Winter Solstice, currently the 21st or 22nd of December, as their seasonal Holiday. The Hindu festival of Diwali, which also pre-dates Christianity, occurs during this period, as does Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Light. The African American community celebrates its heritage and reinforces positive community values by observing the holiday of Kwanza during the days between Christmas and New Year's. Almost everyone celebrates New Year's Eve and Day, joyful occasions that mark the beginning of the new year.

We are all social creatures who take delight in brightening up the dreary winter months by celebrating our diverse holidays at this time of year. Even people with no religious belief enjoy the festive lights, the gatherings of family and friends, the exchanging of gifts and the general gaiety of the season.

The term "Happy Holidays" encompasses all these celebrants, regardless of their reason for celebrating. Recognizing this, and realizing that the area of the State capitol building used for the annual Holiday display has been bought and paid for by all these citizens, the mayor of Denver proposed replacing the traditional "Merry Christmas" greeting with this more inclusive welcome. The resulting protests from enraged Christians could be heard far and wide, forcing the mayor to abandon his noble idea.

Christians do not have exclusive ownership of the public square. Their lack of "Goodwill Toward Men" violates what many see as the true "reason for the season."