It is Merry Christmas! (not happy holidays)

Christian Groups Call for Boycott of Retailers Censoring Christmas

November 13, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - With the Christmas season fast approaching, and the commercial machine gearing up as usual, the annual 'war on Christmas' has started, with numerous stores refusing to recognize the very celebration by which they profit. In response, Christian groups are again calling for a boycott of such stores who censor references to Christmas in their Christmas promotions.
"It's not just a 'winter holiday,'" said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association (AFA). "For millions of Americans the giving and receiving of gifts is in honor of the One who gave Himself."
AFA, which boasts 2.3 million subscribers to their weekly e-mail update, has initiated a two-month boycott of the clothing retailer Gap, and its subsidiaries Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime, and Athleta.

Full article:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/printerfriendly.html?articleid=09111305

Video: Christmas with a capital "C"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Argh, how much I want to post the "cool story bro" pic!!!!!

Anyway, I will refrain from doing so (its moddable anyways).

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There is no reason to boycott a store just because they dont give the same emphasis to a celebration as you TC. In effect you are telling me that you would not buy products from a store whose owner is an atheist.

Lets face it: the stores gain money not from the Jesus-aspect of the holiday but the aspect of a consumer's celebration; a period of sales and high profit.

Also the stores might be doing this to appeal to more people, such as the groing atheist minority or people of other religions. have you ever thought of the last one?

So how stores choose to call it should have no effect on Christians.

But whatever; if you feel like boycotting it go ahead.

Happy Holidays.

I don't see why people even argue about the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays thing. There is actually a few holidays going on around Christmas, or in the same month at least. Like Kwanzaa. There's also Hanukkah. Christmas is not the only holiday in December. :? Well, not in the states, not sure if those two holidays are celebrated worldwide.MistressMinako

The problem is that over 95% of people celebrate Christmas and these same people represent the majority of the customers the stores get. So it doesn't make sense to try to turn Christmas into some kind of generic winter holiday with the "happy holidays" theme.

I don't see why people even argue about the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays thing. There is actually a few holidays going on around Christmas, or in the same month at least. Like Kwanzaa. There's also Hanukkah. Christmas is not the only holiday in December. :? Well, not in the states, not sure if those two holidays are celebrated worldwide.MistressMinako

Agreed. That's why I usually say Happy Holidays.

I'm athiest/agnostic (you can debate it yourselves), but even I think it;s ridiculous when stores/public outlets are forced, more or elss, to call it holidays, just so they don't offend non-christians. This is happening in Australia too. FACE IT. Christians make up a large part of the population. If you're offended by living in a Christian country, then move somewhere else.

[QUOTE="MistressMinako"]I don't see why people even argue about the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays thing. There is actually a few holidays going on around Christmas, or in the same month at least. Like Kwanzaa. There's also Hanukkah. Christmas is not the only holiday in December. :? Well, not in the states, not sure if those two holidays are celebrated worldwide.Jemdude

The problem is that over 95% of people celebrate Christmas and these same people represent the majority of the customers the stores get. So it doesn't make sense to try to turn Christmas into some kind of generic winter holiday with the "happy holidays" theme.

It makes sense, if you want to show respect to others who celebrate different holidays. But I can respect your point of view

I'm athiest/agnostic (you can debate it yourselves), but even I think it;s ridiculous when stores/public outlets are forced, more or elss, to call it holidays, just so they don't offend non-christians. This is happening in Australia too. FACE IT. Christians make up a large part of the population. If you're offended by living in a Christian country, then move somewhere else.

DigitalExile

To me it seems they are doing it for marketing reasons.

I couldn't care less what some miserable greeter at Wall-Mart says as I walk past to shop.

[QUOTE="MistressMinako"]I don't see why people even argue about the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays thing. There is actually a few holidays going on around Christmas, or in the same month at least. Like Kwanzaa. There's also Hanukkah. Christmas is not the only holiday in December. :? Well, not in the states, not sure if those two holidays are celebrated worldwide.Jemdude

The problem is that over 95% of people celebrate Christmas and these same people represent the majority of the customers the stores get. So it doesn't make sense to try to turn Christmas into some kind of generic winter holiday with the "happy holidays" theme.

[QUOTE="MistressMinako"]I don't see why people even argue about the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays thing. There is actually a few holidays going on around Christmas, or in the same month at least. Like Kwanzaa. There's also Hanukkah. Christmas is not the only holiday in December. :? Well, not in the states, not sure if those two holidays are celebrated worldwide.Jemdude

The problem is that over 95% of people celebrate Christmas and these same people represent the majority of the customers the stores get. So it doesn't make sense to try to turn Christmas into some kind of generic winter holiday with the "happy holidays" theme.

I celebrate Christmas as a gift giving holiday, not as a christian holiday as I am not christian. I am totally fine with a store saying "Merry Christmas" as long as they also say Happy Hannuikah, Happy Kwanza, Solstace, etc etc etc and every other winter holiday. Saying Happy Holidays works too since it blankets numerous holidays instead of just one. Heres a question for you, would you be okay if the store didn't say either and just said "Happy Hannikuah" instead? I have a feeling christians would still be upset.

I'm athiest/agnostic (you can debate it yourselves), but even I think it;s ridiculous when stores/public outlets are forced, more or elss, to call it holidays, just so they don't offend non-christians. This is happening in Australia too. FACE IT. Christians make up a large part of the population. If you're offended by living in a Christian country, then move somewhere else.

DigitalExile

I am glad I like in the USA which is not a christian country!

seriously who cares? .____.

What a ridiculous pretense at sensitivity. I imagine that non-Christian shoppers could give as much of a toss at being wished a Happy Christmas as I could at being wished a Peaceful Ramadan. Maybe this policy doesn't go far enough... What about all the people who don't have a holiday? Maybe they're going to take offence at being constantly reminded they should not only be having one, but that everyone else will be having a happy one.

Personally, I don't find it this kind of forced empty gesture more or less grating than some random cashier pretending he gives a damn whether I have a nice day or enjoy my greasy, grey meat bap-cum-burger-cum-meal.

I really don't care what they say. It likely is a knee jerk reaction of sensitivity but I really could care less what they say or wish me. I'd actually prefer they not say anything to me.

I'm not a practising Christian, or any religion for that matter, but to me there has always been a separation in what Christmas is. There is a Christian/Jesus/Religious thing, but there is also a massive commercial aspect to what Christmas is, so whether a person is Jewish, Muslim or whatever and they are walking into a GAP mid-December, whether they like it or not they are buying a "commercially targeted/Santa Clause/Ho Ho Ho/Candycane" Christmas gift.

I really think the idea of changing the name is impractical, because I bet you somewhere in North America a non-Christian is walking into a store, being wished a "happy holiday" and then promptly leaves to go take their kids to sit on Santa's lap. It's over engineered, perceived sensitivity and it needs to stop.

I'm an atheist/agnostic, but I still celebrate Christmas. I don't pray or anything, but isn't it supposed to be just a peaceful, good time of year and not some advertisement-down-your-throat crap?

Just call it what it is. It's been that way for hundreds of years, and people have the right to celebrate whatever they want by themselves. People are waaaay too sensitive.

the reason they're angry is that they're taking christ out of the holiday, which is why we have the holiday in the first place. so they deserve to be angry.starwarsjunky

[QUOTE="starwarsjunky"]the reason they're angry is that they're taking christ out of the holiday, which is why we have the holiday in the first place. so they deserve to be angry.jimmyjammer69

[QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"][QUOTE="starwarsjunky"]the reason they're angry is that they're taking christ out of the holiday, which is why we have the holiday in the first place. so they deserve to be angry.starwarsjunky

To many people it hasn't been about Jesus for decades. It's about a jolly man with a white beard named Santa. I really feel that is the overall view of Christmas these days, a commercial holiday, not a religious one.

[QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"][QUOTE="starwarsjunky"]the reason they're angry is that they're taking christ out of the holiday, which is why we have the holiday in the first place. so they deserve to be angry.starwarsjunky

You realize that retailers have to market to the widest group possible. Some consumers who buy stuff in December include, Jews, Muslims, Atheists. Or do Christians assume those people don't buy things? Merry Christmas is fine on Christmas.

There are quite a few holidays around that than just Christmas though for other religions.sSubZerOo

To many people it hasn't been about Jesus for decades. It's about a jolly man with a white beard named Santa. I really feel that is the overall view of Christmas these days, a commercial holiday, not a religious one.

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]There are quite a few holidays around that than just Christmas though for other religions.starwarsjunky

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]There are quite a few holidays around that than just Christmas though for other religions.starwarsjunky

IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS! Yup. This happy holidays garbage is a joke.

IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS! Yup. This happy holidays garbage is a joke.

Flamecommando

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]There are quite a few holidays around that than just Christmas though for other religions.starwarsjunky

No. No it was not.

[QUOTE="starwarsjunky"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]There are quite a few holidays around that than just Christmas though for other religions.Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]There are quite a few holidays around that than just Christmas though for other religions.starwarsjunky

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="starwarsjunky"] in case you didnt realize, the country was founded on christianity...jimmyjammer69

Well, it's Christmas season to me. I don't shun kids away from my door if I don't want to celebrate Halloween. I suck it up, grow a backbone, and deal with it.FragStains

I'm non-Christian yet I would never be offended if someone wished me a Merry Christmas. Not sure about vice-versa, though.

I'm non-Christian yet I would never be offended if someone wished me a Merry Christmas. Not sure about vice-versa, though.

ghoklebutter

[QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"][QUOTE="Engrish_Major"] The country was actually 'founded' to be separate from Christianity.sSubZerOo

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"][QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"] You could also say that it was a country founded on slavery, but a long history is far from justification. jimmyjammer69

[QUOTE="FragStains"]Well, it's Christmas season to me. I don't shun kids away from my door if I don't want to celebrate Halloween. I suck it up, grow a backbone, and deal with it.sSubZerOo

[QUOTE="Flamecommando"]

IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS! Yup. This happy holidays garbage is a joke.

Engrish_Major

Nobody has a complete break that covers all of that. The problem is censoring christmas on christmas. They still say happy thanksgiving on that holiday. Why can't people say merry christmas?

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"][QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"] You could also say that it was a country founded on slavery, but a long history is far from justification. jimmyjammer69

I'm not Christian, so the term "Merry Christmas," or anything related to the holiday (other than the vacation) does get on my nerves. Happy Holidays, is less annoying to me, so if I have to hear anything, I prefer this one.

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Flamecommando"]

IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS! Yup. This happy holidays garbage is a joke.

Nobody has a complete break that covers all of that. The main break that everybody has in December is for Christmas. That is what is being discussed.