Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Which is the appropriate greeting? The debate rages in letters to the editor, e-mails and discussions around the region and nation.
Here are the thoughts of three clergy on the issue:
I am a Christian Unitarian Universalist, and my wife is a Jewish Quaker Unitarian Universalist. We are comfortable with the labels, and with the differences, although none of them define the complex religious beings we are.
Our faith is important to us, as are the celebrations which mark that faith in our daily lives. What I would like to say about the “name that tree” controversy is that Christians ought to be able to say “Christmas tree” and non-Christians ought to say whatever they like - “Solstice tree” is a good name.
The problem, of course, is that the debate is over government trees, White House or otherwise, and, in a sense, what the media ought to call them. Jesus talked about not offending others, and some non-Christians are offended by a state-sponsored “Christmas” tree.
As a vocal proponent of the separation of church and state, I think they ought to be called “holiday trees.” It seems to me that anyone who needs a government tree to bear a name from their religion ought to be ashamed that their faith is that weak.
I can think of two other solutions - neither of which is linked to anything that smacks of Christianity as the official religion of America. Maybe we should eliminate anything called “Christmas” from the White House, including the recognition of December 25th as a holiday. Or maybe the residents should pay for a tree out of their own pockets and call it whatever they like.
- The Rev. Bob MacDicken, minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Catawba Valley
Some Christians are advocating this year that we boycott or protest retailers that replace “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays.” Honestly, I am not sure what I think.
On the one hand, it sounds like coercion instead of invitation, and that does not sound like Jesus. On the other hand, the Christian holiday of Christmas undeniably created the holiday season from which merchants profit so mightily.
On the one hand, we complain about the commercialization of Christmas. On the other hand, we grumble if the stores where we flock to spend and borrow do not ring their bells with our tunes.
On the one hand, we need not delegate our responsibility for announcing the good news to Target or Wal-Mart. On the other hand, we are tired of intolerant tolerance. Employers who won’t allow their workers to say, “Merry Christmas” refuse them the opportunity to express their faith simply and openly.
On the one hand, Christians have a right to support the businesses that respect their faith. On the other hand, the businesses that don’t are the places where Christians are needed the most.
I want to bear witness to Jesus Christ this season – not by a display of economic power, but by allowing my compassion, my countenance, and my conversation to share the joy and love of Jesus.
I plan no boycotts, and others may greet me as they choose. My greeting of choice is “Merry Christmas. May God bless you.”
- The Rev. Bob Thompson, pastor, Corinth United Reformed Church of Christ
I guess I just don’t get it.
Why all the fuss over calling a Christmas tree what it is? How far-fetched do the political correctness thought police have to get before we say, “Enough is enough?”
It won’t be long before school kids are being disciplined for wearing red and green and saying, “Merry Christmas.” Oops, that’s exactly what happened in Rochester, Minn.
It’s a Christmas tree. I’m thankful this is America and I’m free to call a freight train a paper doily if I’m so inclined. But if I do, I shouldn’t be surprised if people think I’ve lost my mind!
Would it not be silly for me to move to Saudi Arabia, gain citizenship there, and then demand that the public accommodate my sensitivities by calling a mosque a meeting hall? Or wouldn’t it be ridiculous to require Jews to refer to a Star of David by another name?
The truth is that 19 out of 20 Americans celebrate Christmas, and they’re not all born-again Christians. Fraser Nelson is dead wrong when he says that a Christmas tree is a religious symbol equivalent to a cross.
The more sinister truth is that Christian bashing has become quite popular among the secular elite in America, and there is money to be made consulting skittish large corporations in the area of political correctness.
It’s not really just about Christmas trees, is it? It’s about an attempt by elitists to “de-Christianize” our society.
How embarrassing to some that those wonderful, rag-tag heroes on the Mayflower would write down their purpose, “For the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith.”
Merry Christmas.
- The Rev. Ruffin Snow, pastor, Tri-City Baptist Church
Compiled by Kim Gilliland
