What has occurred over the past 15 years in the US? When did it become so incorrect to openly recognize and celebrate ones Christian religion (and religious heritage), yet at the same time recognize and celebrate others for the sake of embrace and non-offense? Why can I wish someone a Happy Hanukah, yet I cannot wish someone Merry Christmas? We used to be a God fearing people, now our nation lives in fear of offending others. I realize that as our nation was built upon Christianity it was also built upon the freedom of choice and religion, but I suddenly find my choice of religion is offensive to others, even those of the same sect!

I read yesterday that the Giving Tree at Medina Elementary, WA was replaced with the Giving Counter because a parent complained of the religious implications of the tree. A tree! Aren’t trees pagan by the way? So even the re-writes that we have made are being re-written even further to replace the memory of any reason as to why we are celebrating. Who wants to give to a Giving Counter any ways?

As for Target, I can’t blame them. It’s a publicly traded business that employs and services people from across the spectrum. I can even understand the removal of the Bell Ringers as they cannot exclude every other organization from fund raising and allow only the Salvation Army. In return Target does offer an outstanding grant program.

Time to quit before I get emotional.

Merry Christmas to all!

Chance

It became an official state holiday in Alabama in 1836 (but those laws protected slavery too), but did not become a national holiday until 1870.

So, Christmas Day may beat Pioneer Day by a nose, but Pioneer Day is way ahead of Decoration (now Memorial) Day–post Civil War, Thanksgiving Day (as a national holiday if you ignore the South)–mid Civil War, Armistice (now Veterans) Day–post WW1, Labor Day, Dominion (now Canada) Day, 1870. And so on.

On to the Feats of Strength!

I agree–that’s why I said in my comment above that I can’t imagine anyone being hurt by Target talking about a “holiday sale” as opposed to a Christmas sale. Commerce isn’t where cultural particularity gets passed on; it has different aims, and I don’t begrudge them pursuing those aims one bit. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. It’s in the schools and other civic spaces where I see this as more important, and even then there are compromises that ought to made.

Festivus – now that’s a holdiay that needs to gain wider cultural acceptance.

Haunakkah, Festivus, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Years – what other holidays are there out there during this time of year?

For what it is worth, I do not extend Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur greetings unless I know the person is Jewish. My Jewish friends who wish me a Merry Christmas do so because they know I am Christian. I appreciate their good wishes, and I hope they appreciate mine around their holidays/holy days. Unfortunately, I do not have any close Islamic, Buddhist or Hindu friends, and do not know the appropriate greetings for their holy days/holidays.