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It’s been a while, but it’s time for me to climb back up on my soapbox for a while because this whole “Holiday tree” debacle has me mystified. Utterly, completely stumped. Maybe I should create a new blog category called “Don’t people have better things to get pissed off about?”, because that’s where this goes.

I’m not sure how or when it all started, but there’s been a flurry of water cooler conversations and headlines about how groups are boycotting certain retailers because said retailers are using “Holiday” instead of “Christmas.” Apparently, the phrases “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” are offensive to Christians, at least according to Bill O’Reilly. I don’t know about you, but when someone approaches me with a smile to wish me Happy Holidays, my very moral balance is knocked all out of whack. How dare they take the time to greet me in a positive and friendly manner? How dare they wish me well without referring specifically to my own beliefs that they may not share? Hello!?!? I saw an O’Reilly Factor clip where Mr. O’Reilly flat-out stated that Christians are insulted by those phrases, but they are not insulted by Merry Christmas. But retailers worried that Merry Christmas might alienate those shoppers who aren’t Christian. So now all of these Christian groups have decided that it’s okay for non-Christians to be insulted as long as Christians are mollified with “Merry Christmas” signs and ads plastered everywhere. Not a very Christian attitude, is it?

And since I only saw a clip of that O’Reilly Factor show, I wanted to watch the whole show or at least read a transcript. That way I could at least offer some reasonable assurance that I wasn’t taking it out of context. But surprise, surprise! If I want enlightenment from Mr. O’Reilly, if I want the whole truth free of spin (that’s what he touts)… he wants me to pay him 50 bucks a year! For shame! If the spinless truth is so important, why aren’t you offering it freely? Yup, that’s right. Even the high and mighty demagogues are more concerned with cash than universal enlightenment. (By the way, the Almighty Buck is a driving force on both sides of the political aisle. I’m not naive enough to believe conservative personalities are the only ones charging for their particular brand of enlightenment.)

Christmas has become so commercialized and secular, it’s no surprise that different beliefs are reflected in the holiday. And Christmas is not the only religious or cultural holiday in December with a tradition of gift-giving. (Gee, who would’ve expected a mish-mosh of cultures and beliefs in this little country called America?). Putting that aside, I’m appalled that it’s an issue at all. It seems to me that Christians should not be looking for Christ in advertising inserts and store signage. Shouldn’t Christ be in homes and hearts? Isn’t that where it counts?

Instead, advocacy groups are taking what they imply to be the higher moral ground and pressuring companies to replace “Holiday trees” with “Christmas Trees.” Target didn’t want to use Christmas in its advertising, so Christians were urged to boycott them and shop at Wal-Mart. Which brings me to the next puzzle. Why are these Christians more upset about advertising verbiage than they are about the countless investigations into illegal labor practices? Apparently, it’s okay if Wal-Mart breaks the law as long as they SAY they’re supportive of the Christian faith. My brain short-circuits trying to process that particular hypocrisy.

You can read an American Family Association (AFA) web page to learn about how using “holiday” instead of “Christmas” demonstrates a clear attack on Christian values. According to the AFA, certain companies have banned “Christmas” from their advertising so Christians should “take time to let them know you are offended by their anti-Christian and anti-Christmas bias.” That argument is so full of holes, I’m shocked that intelligent people are actually provoked into action by it. So by not using the word “Christmas,” these companies are automatically assumed to be opposed to Christianity or Christian values? And this argument suggests that now diversity and inclusion is in direct opposition to the Christian faith?

What happend to the Golden Rule and courtesy and tolerance? What happened to love thy neighbors? Turn the other cheek? “Judgment is mine” sayeth the Lord? Instead of spreading the message of love, rebirth, and salvation during this holiday season, some Christians are choosing to portray themselves as bullies who are more concerned with arguing semantics than reaching out to others. “My way or the highway” is apparently a more effective ministering message than I assumed. That’s sad.