War on Christmas? Have the Holidays Become Too Secular?

By U.S. News Staff

December 18, 2009 RSS Feed Print

When folks are hesitant to wish one other “Merry Christmas” for fear of appearing politically incorrect, some argue, America loses the true meaning of a blessed time. Others say joy, enhanced by a little materialism, is a beautiful thing. Is Christmas too commercial?
Edited by Steve St. Angelo

Yes

By Henry E. Brown
Republican congressman from South Carolina

Earlier this month, as I recorded a message to our troops and sent Christmas cards to family and friends, I found myself hesitating before using "Merry Christmas" to wish those important to me a blessed holiday. I was brought up in a Christian home where we celebrated Christmas and its many traditions. Until recently, I had never thought twice before wishing others "Merry Christmas." Communities across...

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No

By Onkar Ghate
Senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute

I'm an atheist, and I love Christmas. If you think that's a contradiction, think again.

Do you remember as a child composing wish lists of things you genuinely valued, thought you deserved, and knew would bring you pleasure? Do you remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of Christmas morning and the new bike, book, or chemistry set you were hoping for? That...

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Are the Holidays Too Secular?



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I recall a newspaper op-ed some time back about how, as is widely accepted, the date of Christmas was established to coincide with pre-existing pagan festivals rather than having any relationship to the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth.

The op-ed joked about the Christians taking the Saturn out of Saturnalia and the Yule out of Yule.

Anyway, I hardly hear "happy holiday" much less "Happy Rosh Hashanah" greetings during that time of the year even though to me the High Holy Days are "the reason for the season." Should I take umbrage that store clerks, people passing on the street, radio announcers, etc. don't greet me in accordance with my religion and heritage? And that I don't see High Holy Days displays in stores, parks, and office buildings? Or music and TV shows according to my heritage broadcasted?

No. I don't take umbrage. Nor do I assume that everyone around me celebrates Christmas. I greet people I know to be Christian with Merry Christmas and others with Happy Holidays. That should be fine. Christians should follow the Golden Rule (announced by Hillel and the Buddha before Jesus) of treating others as they wish to be treated--greet people with the greeting appropriate to their belief, observance and tradition, and if you're not sure don't assume that everyone believes (or ought to believe) as you do.

Don't we have greater things to worry about? Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Years, early greetings for Orthodox Christmas, and to all Happy Holidays.

Rod in Richmond of VA 12:50PM December 25, 2010

Rep. Brown... this has nothing to do with your personal beliefs, but the role of our government in regards to religion, as you should know very well. You may not like it, but you are a representative of a secular office.. that of congressman. Our founders, unlike some of our current representatives, saw the value of the seperation of church and state, and so made almost no mention of religion, and none of christianity, while penning the U.S. constitution. I would suggest yo read it, sir, or consider another line of work.

william of GA 9:14PM December 28, 2009

Everyone has always been invited to celebrate Christmas and Million do whether they are Christians or non believers. Christmas is a Christian holiday in which all are welcome to enjoy but please don't try to change it into something else, fair is fair after all! Attacks on the Christian world community seems to be a common cause many subscribe to including the U.S. Government.

Steven Elrick of NE 3:34PM December 22, 2009

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