I think there is something useful that can be done in the direction of celebrating all holidays - however as a friend pointed out to me today that also has to be done with cultural sensitivity and awareness. I'm not suggesting we try to all celebrate rituals that are not ours - but I am suggesting we recognize they exist and show respect and appreciation for what they represent. Christians often attempt to give Jewish people "equal airtime" by recognizing Hanukkah which in reality is a very minor Jewish holiday which happens to fall closest to the biggest Christian holiday. At the same time Christians commonly schedule meetings and other important business events on what is the most important Jewish holiday which is in the fall in either Sept or Oct. Rosh Hashanah is the first day of a 10 day period of repentant and atonement for personal and national sins. Can you imagine how the US would be affected if we even for a moment considered what our "national sins" might be and were willing to be humble (let alone atone for them)?
Muslims have two different significant holidays (well Christians have Christmas and Easter). Both are on Islamic Lunar calendars and so they shift around. Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours in May or June), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the occasion. Ramadan is intended to deepen compassion and faith in God. Eid Al-Adha, the holiest of Muslim holidays, is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days falling generally in Mid June through the end of Aug, during which Muslims usually sacrifice a sheep and distribute its meat in 3 parts: among family, friends, and the poor. It is about the willingness to make sacrifices and be faithful even when what is asked of us may seem too much or too hard, and how God's purpose may surprise us. Again what if US people considered the values of compassion, and faithfulness. These are not values we generally focus on.
The Buddhists have many sacred days and they vary slightly in different Buddhist countries as well. But Vesak, the birth of Buddha is the most important, also on a lunar calendar it falls in May. Like the celebration of the birth of Jesus this celebration focuses on the story of his life and refocusing on the 8 precepts - that which Buddha taught. Follows are not to kill on this day (no eating of meat) and release animals and insects as part of a ceremonial focus on liberation. Not to sound like a broken record but what if Americans reflected for a day on non-violence and on liberation of those who are not free? It would seem a great improvement of our national character.
I could go on pointing out the holidays of various religions but you get the idea. What if we had tv shows, symbols, talks about these holidays on the days they were celebrated? What if we had flex time that allowed people of what ever faith to have their most important holiday off? What if we actually had these on our calendars so we knew when they were? What if we considered these values in the cycle of our year - not in celebrating rituals that are not ours but in considering the values behind them?
I have loved that our nation at least reflects on gratitude during Thanksgiving (but needs to lose the mythology as to why - which is a perverse rewrite of our oppression of the Native people who lived here before us). It has led me to consider what values I wish our country celebrated and to consider creating traditions with friends and family that do uphold other values. For example, I have long thought I should have a "cooperation day" celebration. (In my head everyone would bring a soup ingredients and collectively make a soup and while it was stewing cooperate on some craft project which would be donated afterwords to the poor. Since we have national holidays in Jan, Feb, April, May, July, Aug, Oct, Nov and Dec. I have believed this holiday should be celebrated in June.
