The War on Christmas

I suppose you think that I'm posting this to take the "Merry Christmas" side of the debate and to tear the "Happy Holidays" side a new one. Only sort of, but not really. Although I prefer saying "Merry Christmas" as that is really the day most people and businesses mean when they say "Happy Holidays", the whole War on Christmas is for fools. Both sides of the debate are objectionable on their own merits and demerits.

For the "Merry Christmas" side, those who push so hard for this seriously makes me wonder how much of a religious agenda they have in this and whether this is another heavy-handed effort to push religion on others. They complain about a War on Christmas yet they enthusiastically participate in the commercialization of the holiday that has led to its semi-secular status, making it de facto "Merry Capitalism". No objection to capitalism in that sentence, by the way. I haven't turned on my almost if not entirely non-existent readers.

For the "Happy Holidays" side, there's something disgustingly politically correct about opting for Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. The reason businesses opt for saying "Happy Holidays" is so they don't lose any customers who don't celebrate Christmas. The purpose of saying "Happy Holidays" is to please those who might take offense to Christmas, but then you're displeasing those who cherish Christmas. One man's cherished tradition is another's source of antagonism. I feel as if this is a debate society doesn't need to have, especially since we have better things to debate about, such as what to do about the US careening to bankruptcy. But that's not a subject for Christmas, and sorry if that dampened your delight. Christmas is a time for giving, getting, joy and good cheer, for even if you don't celebrate religious Christmas, you sure as hell celebrate presents.

Merry Christmas!