Why Do Christians Hate Capitalism?
This war on Christmas stuff is getting hilarious. All you have to do is Google war on Christmas and you’ll see for yourself. There are even groups calling for boycotts of stores who don’t specifically promote Christmas by name, to the exclusion of other seasonal holidays.
Let’s get this straight: these religious groups want to try to force businesses to advertise a bias towards their religion, rather than allow the stores to appeal to as broad a customer base as they can? Why can’t these groups just let businesses operate as they see fit?
In spite of what these poor delusional souls think, American communities are not all reflective of Norman Rockwell’s America. There are (surprise!) other cultures and other religions, in this country, and their money talks, too. And quite frankly, it’s a lot more cost effective to produce signage with one phrase like "Happy Holidays" than it is to produce separate signs for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and whatever. It’s just plain good business to try to appeal to as many customers as possible.
If there is a war over Christmas, it was the Christians who instigated it, and are zealously waging it. And their zealotry reveals blasphemous hypocrisy: Christmas, along with being a celebration of the birth of Christ, is traditionally about peace on earth and goodwill toward all. But these Christian groups seem to feel that Christmas is all about marketing and retail signage and appearances and shallow, superficial rhetoric. Instead of finding the significance in welcoming all people to join in their celebration by celebrating the holidays, they condemn such welcoming practices and conspire to punish retailers who they feel have darkened the altar of the cash register. They have turned a season of holiday cheer into yet another forum to engage in another one of their religious pit fights against popular culture. That’s sad. And I'll tell you what: In spite of their claims, no one is "forcing" them to not say the word "Christmas". That's ridiculous.
Why can’t these Christmas warrior Christians just keep their religion to themselves, worship however they want to, post whatever signs they want to in their own businesses, send out Christmas cards if they want to, enjoy their religious holiday, and get over the fact that not everyone shares their beliefs?
Bonus link: A totally excellent article on The Meaning of (the War Over) Christmas
Let’s get this straight: these religious groups want to try to force businesses to advertise a bias towards their religion, rather than allow the stores to appeal to as broad a customer base as they can? Why can’t these groups just let businesses operate as they see fit?
In spite of what these poor delusional souls think, American communities are not all reflective of Norman Rockwell’s America. There are (surprise!) other cultures and other religions, in this country, and their money talks, too. And quite frankly, it’s a lot more cost effective to produce signage with one phrase like "Happy Holidays" than it is to produce separate signs for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and whatever. It’s just plain good business to try to appeal to as many customers as possible.
If there is a war over Christmas, it was the Christians who instigated it, and are zealously waging it. And their zealotry reveals blasphemous hypocrisy: Christmas, along with being a celebration of the birth of Christ, is traditionally about peace on earth and goodwill toward all. But these Christian groups seem to feel that Christmas is all about marketing and retail signage and appearances and shallow, superficial rhetoric. Instead of finding the significance in welcoming all people to join in their celebration by celebrating the holidays, they condemn such welcoming practices and conspire to punish retailers who they feel have darkened the altar of the cash register. They have turned a season of holiday cheer into yet another forum to engage in another one of their religious pit fights against popular culture. That’s sad. And I'll tell you what: In spite of their claims, no one is "forcing" them to not say the word "Christmas". That's ridiculous.
Why can’t these Christmas warrior Christians just keep their religion to themselves, worship however they want to, post whatever signs they want to in their own businesses, send out Christmas cards if they want to, enjoy their religious holiday, and get over the fact that not everyone shares their beliefs?
Bonus link: A totally excellent article on The Meaning of (the War Over) Christmas
posted by SheaNC at 1:42 AM
19 Comments:
Hi Shea!
Let me see. Merry Christmas has been sufficient for about 200 years in these United States, and then all of the sudden about 5-10 years ago CHRISTIANS STARTED PUSHING IT IN OTHER'S FACES? I don't understand your logic here.
-Jack
Well, if a store wants to promote the holidays instead of just one holiday, what does it really matter? Why is that offensive? Why do they feel the need to boycott stores who dont say Merry Christmas? I dont get why this is such a huge contest. Bill OReilly hasnt stopped bitching about it for 2 weeks now. There is no war- I think this is irrelevant. Christmas is not going away- I am going to celebrate it with my family, and I will be purchasing fine goods from stores even if they dont want to exclude non Christmas celebrators by saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."
File this one under, "who gives a shit." Let us not let Sears and Macys or whoever offend us with their marketing slogans. Non Christians who get offended by a christmas tree and merry Christmas, and Christians who get offended by the opposites, they are better left ignored because they obviously cannot recognize the true meaning and spirit of this season.
Worry more about transportation to these stores, gas prices stopped dropping.
CH,
I'm not one who is easily offended, but if one opens a can of worms there are going to be worms everywhere. Personally I would also feel much closer to your sentiment.
Thinking about it a little, though, someone who enjoys something they don't like other people trying to take it away. Traditions are often lovely, and they mean something to the people who have them. That is human nature. I also am a bit reluctant to dismiss something that anyone holds dear as "irrelevant". Obviously this means something to those people who are in protest. To many of these people, their faith is important to them and they feel it under assault. Christmas to many of them is not just a holiday, it is a Holy Day. I have seen those on the left react the same way when someone refers to their (often faith based)belief systems as irrelevant or attacks them--environmentalism, abortion rights, etc., and they defend and fight for them just as vehemently.
Not criticizing per se, just adding a bit of perspective.
And, I don't think it is something imaginary either. Geez, it was the wacked out atheist/leftist and the PC farmers who started the whole deal, and now many of them are criticizing those who react to their lunacy.
For more info check out:
Tongue Tied - Holiday Cheer Archives
Wouldn't you feel a bit defensive?
Thanks, Shea, for keeping this one going. I like discussing this one!
-Jack
And quite frankly, it’s a lot more cost effective to produce signage with one phrase like "Happy Holidays" than it is to produce separate signs for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and whatever.
What a solution. Because we all know that Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Saturnalia, whatever, are the holidays bringing people into the stores to buy gifts. Oh sure, Hanukkah has a gift giving element, but only because Jewish kids were feeling left out when they saw their Christian friends getting gifts around this time of year.
People celebrating Christmas are the driving force behind the consumer bonanza for stores this time of year. What do stores do? They decide to actively eliminate "Christmas" from the season. This upsets some people celebrating Christmas. Those people that are upset decide to take their business to stores that do not eliminate Christmas, and ask others to do the same. Obviously, only people who care about this issue are going to avoid stores that avoid the Christmas moniker. I have no doubt that you do your shopping regardless of whether the store you're in has eliminated "Christmas" from the season, Shea.
So, we have a pure form of Democracy, people voting with their feet and wallets, and you're bitching about that? Why does it upset you that there are enough people celebrating Christmas who are actually upset over this PC crap to make a difference? And I don't assume for a minute that they're all avidly religious folks, either. Christmas is also celebrated as a cultural holiday in this country. Plenty of people that aren't very church-minded recall going to stores and seeing large "Christmas" displays. That those have been replaced by "Holiday" displays starts to grate on nerves. People like their traditions.
Obviously there are enough people who think this PC stuff is getting out of hand that the stores are taking notice. This isn't limited to a few religious zealots making lots of noise. Stores have noticed that their sales go down when they downplay Christmas.
Nobody is saying people and stores cannot celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukah, and any other holiday, but why should Christmas be elminated? The vast majority of people in this country celebrate this holiday. It is the only holiday of the season that is a Federal holiday.
Oh I hear you guys all around, dont get me wrong. Its just annoying that something like this has to become controversy. Obviously people feel threatened all around for whatever reason, and I am just mad that this has to be an issue when this shouldnt be what this season is about. I remember South Park had an episode in its first season about the whole town protesting Christmas displays and the overall absurdity. Fact is, the overwhelming majority of the country does celebrate the holiday. I am with them either way. It is a federal holiday, it should be and that shouldnt change. That wont change. But youre right, when I was 15 I dont remember all this drama. Let the holiday be what it is. Its not celebrated so as to exclude anyone or make anyone feel unwelcome, its the exact opposite.
I tend to side with tradition when it comes to these matters, so Merry Christmas everyone. If youre a Jew, Happy Chanukah.
"Merry Christmas has been sufficient for about 200 years in these United States, and then all of the sudden about 5-10 years ago CHRISTIANS STARTED PUSHING IT IN OTHER'S FACES? I don't understand your logic here."
It's not my logic, Jack. I don't know why they started doing it, either. But sure enough, they're out there.
Sean:
"People celebrating Christmas are the driving force behind the consumer bonanza for stores this time of year"
The spirit of Christmas burns bright within you, Ebenezer.
"What do stores do? They decide to actively eliminate "Christmas" from the season."
I challenge anyone to show me a store that has "eliminated Christmas". Anyone?
"I have no doubt that you do your shopping regardless of whether the store you're in has eliminated "Christmas" from the season, Shea."
Hard to say, since I have never been able to find a store that has "eliminated Christmas". But I love Christmas, and I don't care if stores include "happy holidays" or "seasons greetings" along with "merry christmas". I like it anyway.
"So, we have a pure form of Democracy, people voting with their feet and wallets, and you're bitching about that?"
Not bitching, just saying they're trying to use that vote to force stores to recognize only the christian winter holiday, and ignore their non-christian customers.
"And I don't assume for a minute that they're all avidly religious folks, either. Christmas is also celebrated as a cultural holiday in this country."
What you've just described is exactly why "seasons greetings" and "happy holidays" came to be. But get real, man: Christmas is a Christian religious holiday. All the other commercial trappings are just mold growing on the fruitcake.
"Why does it upset you..."
It doesn't upset me, but it's all over the media, so it's certainly worthy of comment.
"Nobody is saying people and stores cannot celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukah, and any other holiday, but why should Christmas be elminated?"
Nobody is saying people and stores cannot celebrate Christmas, but why should stores not be able to say "seasons greetings" if they want to?
Love this topic!
-Jack
There's a big difference between corporations and individuals. As individuals we have the right to practice our beliefs and should continue to do so freely. Corporations, however, should be careful to exclude themselves from religious identification. Why should K-Mart say Merry Christmas when they are trying not to alienate a large number of atheist, Muslim or Jewish customers?
Mochi, I disagree. Corporations are about profit and any marketing mix that maximizes that is proper. There are many factors that go into the marketing mix (demographics, geographics, etc.) and a Corporation is responsible to do whatever it takes within the law and within the boundaries of ethics to maximize profits for its stockholders.
As a company I could care less who I offend, as long as it is not my target/core market/customer base.
Not bitching, just saying they're trying to use that vote to force stores to recognize only the christian winter holiday, and ignore their non-christian customers.
Nope, that isn't what its about. Christians are just tired of going into stores and seeing "Hanukah" sections, perhaps a "Kwanza" section (although I haven't seen that), and then the generic "Holiday" section where all the Christmas gifts, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, etc. are being sold. Yet nowhere is there a sign actually proclaiming consumers of the Christmas gifts and sundries to have a "Merry Christmas".
And if you can't find stores that have eliminated the word "Christmas" from their advertising and store displays then you're just blind and deaf, which makes your posts actually quite remarkable accomplishments.
But I love Christmas, and I don't care if stores include "happy holidays" or "seasons greetings" along with "merry christmas". I like it anyway.
If only that were the case. Stores aren't including "happy holidays" and "seasons greetings" along with "Merry Christmas"; they're using those phrases instead of "Merry Christmas". Corporations are trying to woo in Christmas shoppers while at the same time refusing to specifically identify Christmas. And to some people that's awfully annoying.
I wanted to chime in to say that I officially have no opinion on this subject. None. That's all. Merry Christmas.
Sean, that's awfully big of you to proclaim that Christians are tired of seeing a Hanukah or Kwanza section in the stores (which, by the way, are miniscule compared to the Christmas sections, let's be realistic please). I don't think all Christians would agree. I certainly don't. Lumping all Christians into one pot is a factor in creating conflict among people, in my opinion. Whether a store chooses to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays bears absolutely no impact on my beliefs about Christmas. For me, the stores, shopping, and gifts have nothing to do with Christmas. It is the busiest shopping season of the year because we've made it so by creating a need to buy and exchange gifts. I agree that this war against Christmas is out of control. I also agree with a friend of mine who said that when someone says 'Merry Christmas' we should be a little less sensitive about the words and more aware of the spirit of the season and wishes for good things, regardless of what you believe.
I agree that the consumerism can detract from the meaning of the season. I'm glad for you that people actually wish you a Merry Christmas. Outside of close friends and family members, or at a Church function, I haven't been wished a Merry Christmas is several years. People are too afraid of insulting the PC gods.
I'm glad you agree that in many, if not most, stores the "Christmas" sections are vast. I've seen that too. Unfortunately I sometimes have trouble differentiating the different sections, because nothing is labelled "Christmas". That's the problem.
Well Sean, Merry Christmas, sincerely. I will be saying that to people and if they were to get offended by something that isnt meant to offend, something that I am saying with good, warm-hearted intentions, and they get sassy with me, Ill take one for Team Christmas, tell them whats what and, hell, if things escalate, perhaps beat them up. Nothing should lead to that of course and I am not a violent person but for someone to get offended by something that isnt intended to offend, someone needs to go upside their head. And if I say Merry Christmas, and someone simply says 'I dont celebrate Christmas' I will excuse myself and say have a nice holiday. No biggy.
How the hell did this become news in the past couple of years anyway? There are some real miserable bitches out there I tell you. Are stores going to stop with Easter decorations, Thanksgiving? If anyone should complain its Native Americans about Thanksgiving, but I dont hear that. Are diabetics going to start getting offended by Halloween? Im really confused.
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Great comment. Its nice to end a workday with a smile. Thanks.
Uh oh... you're doing this at WORK!?
Hey I used to do this at work until my bastard company banned all sports related, political related, entertaining-related websites. A bunch of fun-vaccums they are.
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