Christmas Controversy

It seems this becomes a bigger and louder controversy in the American press every year - what is this controversy, you ask? The use of "Merry Christmas" versus the use of "Happy Holidays" or some other salutation not linked to Christianity or religious beliefs.

Now I have heard the argument of the Christians in the U.S. which is that Christmas the holiday has been celebrated for centuries in this country as the birth of Jesus Christ - hence the name "Christmas." Many of these same Christians are offended by businesses and individuals who may not use the term "Merry Christmas" and opt for "Happy Holidays" because they see it as a statement of adversity towards the recognition of Christmas and the birth of Jesus as being the 'reason for the season' which we hear about in commercials, Sunday sermons, and general conversations across the country.

They don't like to hear the counter argument that since not everyone in the United States is Christian or follows that religions' beliefs, that "Merry Christmas" is recognizing only the religious beliefs of one group in preference to all others. After all, the millions of Jews in the U.S. don't recognize Jesus as the Son of God and don't celebrate Christmas as Christians do, but they have a religious holiday just as important to them which occurs at this same time of year - Hannukah. And now we are also more aware of an ethnic celebration this time of year known as Kwanzaa that is very important to African Americans (who also number in the millions in the U.S. but which some also consider themselves Christians).

Businesses these days tend to try and stay out of religious or political controversies and therefore many are opting to use "Happy Holidays" at this time of year in recognition of all their customers and their various celebrations or beliefs. Personally, I don't have extremely strong feelings one way or the other. I think people get way too caught up in semantics and personalize everything to the point of controversy - so much so that as far as I'm concerned, they've all pretty much ruined the "spirit" of the holidays for everyone.

I don't see anything inherently wrong with wishing someone a Merry Christmas since that is a tradition that has existed for hundreds of years in this country. But I also understand if someone (whether it be an individual or a business) chooses to be sensitive to others' beliefs and chooses to say Happy Holidays instead. I myself use both phrases every day this time of year. And if I come in contact with someone I know is Jewish, I also wish them a Happy Hannukah. If I knew any African Americans who celebrated Kwanzaa, then I would wish them a Happy Kwanzaa as well.

Once again, we have people who are taking it personally if someone doesn't believe and/or act exactly as they do. Christians shouldn't be offended or take it personally if someone wishes them a Happy Holiday. If they want to solely use Merry Christmas, then certainly they should do so. But don't let someone else not doing the same spoil the spirit and meaning of Christmas for you by getting so caught up in this controversy.

That's just my opinion - what is yours?