Family Group Forces Retailers to Say 'Merry Christmas'

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Oddly, the American Family Association thinks everyone in America is Christian and celebrates the Christmas holiday. Certainly the vast majority are and do and the recent politically correct shift from labeling everything formerly known as "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" may have gone too far but we're not sure we need an organization to force companies to say "Merry Christmas" in their marketing. But, unsurprisingly, in our overly issue-oriented world, there is.

The American Family Association has been boycotting stores such as Sears and Target for not including "Merry Christmas" in their signage and advertising. Apparently, the AFA is quite powerful. Both retailers have relented and added "Merry Christmas" to their messaging. We don't know what's more stupid; forcing a retailer to adhere to one particular religion over another or the politically correct insanity that got us here in the first place.

Written by Steve Hall    Comments (10)     File: Opinion, Policy, Strange, Trends and Culture     Dec-15-05  
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Comments

2.Can Target employees say the greeting “Merry Christmas?”
ANSWER:
Target employees are allowed to say “Merry Christmas.” Our issue is that Target refuses to use the word “Christmas” in their in-store promotions and advertising. (See #5 also)

***I assume this is what Jesus would have wanted?

Posted by: Bucky da ANIMAL on December 15, 2005 10:59 AM


I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is most entirely made up of descendants of immigrants (including me). However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and even some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language! Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn our language!

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan WE adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so! But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom,

THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

Posted by: Santa on December 15, 2005 12:33 PM

uh, that's great and all, but it has little to do with sanctimonious busybodies seeking to force their religious beliefs on others. separation of church and state is one of the cornerstones of america. and with good reason.

christianity isn't "under attack". good old american common sense is.

happy holidays!

Posted by: sam eegle on December 15, 2005 02:13 PM

Yawn.

Posted by: woodenlunch on December 15, 2005 02:49 PM

I hate to bust Santa's yellow-ribbon patriotism, but the founders of our country were not Christian. They were Diests. Wake up and study history before proclaiming your own James Dobson-inspired version of it.

By the way...did you know your screen name anagrams to Satan?

Posted by: bw on December 15, 2005 03:21 PM

Another point that is lost on the masses is that the holiday we are celebrating is by and large Christmas. That is the reason consumers buy en masse starting the day after Thanksgiving. We delude ourselves into believing that all cultures are equal on December 25th. Deist, Christian, Muslim or Jew, we are all Christmas shoppers come December. And the retail stores and the ADVERTISING industry they support with big dollars during the season owe a large part of their existence and bottom lines to Christmas. I would imagine the creators of this blog would admit this.

So, stop all the b.s. of refusing to believe or acknowledge which side of the bread is buttered and embrace the American consumer phenomenon that is the birth of our Lord.

Merry Christmas

Posted by: Scrooge on December 15, 2005 04:12 PM

Wow Santa did you go to a school with no textbooks?

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. And it wasn't necessarily adopted but actually designated by an act of Congress in 1956. And ironically it was put it on our money of all places, because as we all know, Jesus is all about the Benjamins baby.

Also can you please explain why all these historians have been getting it so wrong? For many years now I was under the impression that the original settlers came here to escape religious (Christian) religious persecution.

Posted by: Bucky da ANIMAL on December 15, 2005 05:03 PM

How many of you actually attend Church or Synagogue or Mosque?
What about Atheists or Agnostics, should we stop celebrating all religous holidays for fear of offending them too? No, I think not!
Christmas has become so "commercialized" that most people don't remember why we celebrate it. . .
Peace On Earth Good Will Toward Man

Posted by: Cheryl on December 16, 2005 01:11 PM

What I don't understand is why Christians are so insecure. Where's the strength of your faith? We have to mention your holiday - not Judaism's holiday, not Kwaanza, not anything inclusive like "happy holidays" - and we have to erect Nativity scenes to depict your holiday, because - why? - you're afraid Christianity is going to disappear? Christians have such little faith in their religion that it has to be propped up by forced greetings and well-wishes. Pansies. Christ was a strong man; his followers today are wimps.

Posted by: Chris Nelson on December 16, 2005 03:38 PM

I don't appreciate having the idea of xmas or any other christian-related holiday being pushed on me. In the same way I don't like a hell-fire preacher giving the before meal prayer at a public function, I don't like employees screaming "merry xmas" at me. I am okay with happy holidays. That's fine.

The fact that this country is christian does not mean we all have to believe in those principals. Many of us have our own principals and values and religions or lack of same.

I say stop pushing the crap on us and don't make employees say something that may offend them and their customers.

Posted by: Susanna K. Hutcheson on December 17, 2005 02:23 PM

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