I do not enjoy confrontation, but I feel that we, as a nation, are fast coming to the point that we had better do something, or the people who are confrontational will quickly take away our freedoms.

The United States of America was founded on Christian principles, and that cannot be truthfully denied. I have lived in this area all my life, and as long as I can remember, we have had a Christmas parade.

Last week I was very surprised to see the sign that was standing across the road from the post office in downtown Southern Pines inviting people to the "Holiday Parade." Then I was told that there is discussion going on in the higher offices of the town to change the name of the "Christmas Tree Lighting" to the "Tree Lighting" so no one would be offended.

It is my view that the people who don't want to participate in a Christmas parade need to have their own parade by whatever name they want to call it -- not change the name of ours.

Christmas is a Christian holiday. This is a free country. Christians do still have the same freedom that anyone else has.

Don't try to take Christ or Christmas out of our parade. I hope other Christians reading this will let it be known that you also are upset by this quiet undercover movement to do away with our God and Christ altogether. This is a nationwide thing, not just in Southern Pines.

Lynne Creech

Southern Pines