This past week, Q-line asked: Should businesses and communities try to encompass all religious beliefs by using generic slogans like “Happy Holidays” or is it fine to appeal to the majority with tidings of “Merry Christmas?” Is there a way to make all religions feel accepted while maintaining tradition? Here are your responses: ✆“This country was founded on Judeo Christian beliefs, and for 200 years no one found fault with ‘Merry Christmas’ and Christmas trees. All of a sudden, the past few years found all types of religions springing up to attack these basic celebrations. We are a country that respects all peoples’ rights to celebrate according to their own beliefs. But it is ludicrous to think that we can incorporate them all publicly. The same for printing public flyers and literature in all the world’s languages. This is the United States of America, an English-speaking country. Love and accept it or go back to where you came from.” ✆“During the month of December, there are two celebrations of major historical events. On Dec. 15, starts Chanukah — an eight-day Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the rededication of the temple of Jerusalem after its defilement of those people under the reign of King Antiochus. On Dec. 25, we have Christmas — the annual celebration of the memory of the birth of a Jew named Jesus, known over the world as Christ. Both of these December events should be respectfully held separately due to both having separate meanings for celebration. I personally wish the Jews would come out of the closet on Chanukah and blow their horns in a gala celebration. I also personally wish all Christians come out on Christmas and blow their horns in a gala celebration. A festive good time should be had by all. In my opinion, Jesus would want it that way.” ✆“It’s better to say ‘Merry Christmas’ than ‘Happy Holidays’ because Christmas is that season. That’s the name of the holiday. Since most people in this country do observe Christmas, it is better than saying ‘Happy Holidays.’ Other religions don’t celebrate Christmas and there is no law that says they have to. We don’t force them to celebrate it, they don’t force us to celebrate theirs. So if they don’t like it they can find some country that doesn’t celebrate Christmas, like our so-called ally Saudi Arabia. Nothing’s legal there except what the Muslims say is legal.” ✆“I think that ‘Happy Holidays’ is a good idea. Because not to offend Jews and Kwanza like that ‘Merry Christmas.’” ✆“Businesses and the communities — I guess we live in a free market capitalistic society they can encompass all religious beliefs if they feel it will benefit them, then ‘Happy Holidays,’‘Merry Christmas,’ whatever... The only way you can make all religions feel accepted is if everyone keeps their religion in their house.” ✆“As an atheist, I have no problem with the Christmas season and Christmas greetings... as long as they have nothing to do with Christianity.” ✆“Yes, we should be supporting ‘Merry Christmas’ in the United States of America. This is not another country. This is our country, and we should always be supporting ‘Merry Christmas,’ not ‘Happy Holidays.’ We need our freedom of speech and belief. Merry Christmas!” ✆“Having been raised a Christian and having it shoved down my throat, I feel very strongly about not introducing Christian values into commerce. I think it is inappropriate. I think ‘Happy Holidays’is totally appropriate, so to respect all people of all religions so that we don’t promote one.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 9, 2006. Read the original PDF.