The Battle For Christmas

Merry Christmas!
It maybe 37 days away but might just be a controversy this year as it has been in the past. Questions arise(especially in the all-tolerant Canada) that should we just assume that the majority is Christian? If so should we accommodate the masses?Should private companies advertise Christmas sales? Should public areas be Nativity free? Is Christmas offending anyone?
This issue has caused a million billion websites to be formed and many books written about the issue. The Issue even made it into Lord Bill O'Reilly's book "Culture Warrior".
The question I am trying to raise is this; Is removing Christmas from the public sector an example of Society's progression or degeneration?
In O'Reilly's book he blatantly points a finger at the ACLU for stirring up problems. He puts out very specific examples about how the ACLU has litigated and intimidated people into doing what they want. One example he refers to is about a Santa Claus visit in Baldwin City, Kansas. One year the Santa who visited the local elementary school was a protestant clergyman--and that is when the ACLU started interfering.
Unfortunately O'Reilly's book does not cite this--but the story was easy enough to find via Google. Apparently the ACLU has been trying to ban Christmas carols in public schools as well.
"Culture Warrior" has many more examples about the public sector being influenced but O'Reilly also dabbles and the private sector. Many companies such as Sears, Future Shop, and Best Buy have made the decision to take Christmas out of Christmas shopping. Christmas Trees--Now are Holiday Trees. Christmas vacation is now winter vacation. Companies are so afraid to offend people that do not celebrate Christmas that they forget that the majority of their business at this time is for people who celebrate Christmas--Many who are not Christian!
The ACLU has gotten a very bad rap about this whole debacle and of course they have a response:
As part of our justice mission, we work hard to protect the rights of free religious expression for all people, including Christians. For example, we recently defended the First Amendment rights of a Baptist minister to preach his message on public streets in southern Indiana. The ACLU intervened on behalf of a Christian valedictorian in a Michigan high school, which agreed to stop censoring religious Stat-Holiday. Perhaps the government should put the holiday on another day (perhaps yearbook entries, and supported the rights of Iowa students to distribute Christian literature at their school.

The question is why are people so easily offended? If someone were to wish me Happy Hanuka I would say thank-you. Why are people so worried about it? I mean it is a we could have another Earth Day) like say--DEC 16 in honour of my birthday--and I am certainly no religious icon (Merry-Kat day! well that's a little to close to "Marry" and that's no good). Should business embrace the Christmas holiday and embrace their demographic or should they continue with the "Happy Holidays" message that is kinda bland.
Is Santa Claus even a religious icon. I certainly have not read about him in the bible. After all, the modern Santa we know is a creation of the all powerful Coca-Cola corporation.

This issue is certainly a hot-bed and is certainly not answered easily. Both sides play on people's emotions. I was raised celebrating Christmas (including the whole Jesus part). It was a magical time of year and just thinking about it brings on the nostalgic goosebumps. So when I hear campaigns like "Help Save Christmas" it does play on my emotions. When I hear the ACLU claim that they are preventing religion from invading public spaces I am also in support of that: both Canadians and Americans pride themselves on separation of Church and State. So this campaign also plays on my emotions.

Personally--I have to side with the religious zealots on this one. Santa Claus is not a representation of Christianity but more of a symbol of Western Values-- the very values that appreciate rights such as free speech. The Christmas "I'll be Home for Christmas" brought hope to troops and their families during World War Two. This is a part of our heritage--can it be excluded. There is also a vast majority of Secular Christmas Carols--should they be banned--they are after all not religious. Schools celebrate other holidays--like St.Patrick's Day (emphasis on the SAINT) should they be banned too? I am sure if you asked the kids at school if they are offended--and the majority of the parents--they will answer no.
Christmas also seems like a great way to teach multi-cultural ism and diversity. How many countries celebrate Christmas in their own unique way? Learning about them also brings out the sentimental quality Christmas has. This sentiment is about uniting people. For example slogans like "Peace on Earth" or "Good Will to ALL Men" are a great traditional -Christian-message.
My Problem with the Christmas season is how commercial it has become. I think the corporate side of Christmas should be exempt from schools.


The question still remains; Is this a sign of social degeneracy or progress? What might the consquences be if we eliminated Christmas from the public sphere? (I hope they still run "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on the CBC !!!)

http://www.cafepress.com/merrychristmas9
http://www.conservativebookservice.com/products/BookPage.asp?prod_cd=c6824http://signal.baldwincity.com/section/archive/story/3252
http://www.aclu.org/religion/gen/22324res20051207.html
http://www.savingchristmasinmass.homestead.com/