Gap, Old Navy censor 'Christmas,'

[Fitswimmer]

I don't like the AFA and others like them-they do not speak for THIS Christian at all.
However, I did find my Land's End catalog funny-they say that you can order up to December 22 and still have the gift in time for the "holiday". Well, I believe Chanukah will be over or nearly over by then, so it's really only Christmas that is involved. So why not say that? From what I understand from a woman at work that celebrates Kwanzaa, it's NOT a gift giving holiday. She told me that her family celebrates Christmas and gives gifts, Kwanzaa is more of a family gathering, food and spiritual holiday.
I'll admit it-I like seeing and hearing the words Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa at this time of year and I tend to shop in places that use them. "Happy Holidays" is certainly not going to ruin my celebration, but it's just so blah.

 

[Buckalew11]

I totally agree with P&W's posts.

I don't really understand why saying "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas" is such a big deal??? It just seems like the polite thing to do esp. when you have no idea what faith or no faith your customers in your store hold. If someone says "Happy holidays" to me, in my heart they are wishing me a wonderful holiday of my choosing, which happens to be Christmas. But my neighbor may not so she could "happy Holidays" to be a special wish for her own choice of holidays celebrated.

 

[Crankyshank]

Big Freaking Whoop.

Stores have used "Seasons Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" for years. How come no one got their panties in a twist over that and instead "Happy Holidays" gets a bad rap?

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

We celebrate Christmas, but I have used Happy Holidays for years because we have friends of varying religious beliefs. If I know what holiday they celebrate, I use that, otherwise it's Happy Holidays.

I don't understand why businesses are making such a big deal about banning Merry Christmas. If a customer goes into Target and buys Hanukkah themed items, why can't the clerk say Happy Hanukkah if they choose to? The same goes for someone buying Christmas items. If the clerk can't tell, then Happy Holidays works great. I don't care what they say. I just think it's ridiculous they feel the need to forbid employees from saying something.

I know this particular thread isn't about Target, but I agree it isn't obvious what holiday someone is shopping for at the Gap.


Rachel

 

[Planogirl]

I bet that some people have complained about the use of 'Merry Christmas' and the stores are now trying to be all-inclusive. Yes to make money.

The only point here is that there is no way to make everyone happy IMO. Someone will be unhappy no matter what these stores do.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Big Freaking Whoop.

Stores have used "Seasons Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" for years. How come no one got their panties in a twist over that and instead "Happy Holidays" gets a bad rap?

Where I'm from, they've been using "Happy Holidays" for just as long.

I'm going to paraphrase something someone else posted in a similar thread:

30 or 40 years ago, when the "season" in season's greeting's and the "holidays" in happy holidays were generally understood to just mean Christmas and New Year's, nobody cared. It's only recently, with people using the words to include non-Christian holidays, that people are having trouble with those panties.

 

[Crankyshank]

Ah but that was a big assumption on their part. Or maybe on mine, since I always took Seasons Greetings as including Chanukah and Yule.

 

[DisneyGerry]

The Catholic League, Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. and the other Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are pleased to join together for the 2006 Christmas Watch.

Every December sees its fair share of "Grinches," those retailers, schools, websites, towns and municipalities who refuse to acknowledge Christmas as part of the "holiday season." These Christmas kill-joys are all around.

This Christmas, the Catholic League, Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. and the other Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have joined up to put the spotlight on these folks. Should you notice one of these Grinches, please let us know. You may submit the details either by faxing the Catholic League at 212-371-3394, writing to us at 450 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10123 or by e-mailing catalyst@catholicleague.org.

The names of the nominees are posted below. Each week, we will select the worst offender and dub it the Supreme Grinch of the Week.

http://www.catholicleague.org/linked docs/christmas_watch.htm

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

 

[DisneyGerry]

Actually the main holiday for Christians is Easter, the day Jesus rose from the dead.
__________________

What is the argument? Easter is the most important day for Christians when Jesus rose from the dead--but seems like Christmas is the most popular 'holiday' of the year. Some 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas.

 

[Fitswimmer]

The Catholic League, Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. and the other Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are pleased to join together for the 2006 Christmas Watch.

Every December sees its fair share of "Grinches," those retailers, schools, websites, towns and municipalities who refuse to acknowledge Christmas as part of the "holiday season." These Christmas kill-joys are all around.

This Christmas, the Catholic League, Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. and the other Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have joined up to put the spotlight on these folks. Should you notice one of these Grinches, please let us know. You may submit the details either by faxing the Catholic League at 212-371-3394, writing to us at 450 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10123 or by e-mailing catalyst@catholicleague.org.

The names of the nominees are posted below. Each week, we will select the worst offender and dub it the Supreme Grinch of the Week.

http://www.catholicleague.org/linked docs/christmas_watch.htm

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

The sad things on that website were the towns that eliminated all religious expression rather than have Christian things included. Why can't we have a Menorah, a Creche, a Tree and Kwanzaa candles??? Why does everything have to be sanitized??

 

[poohandwendy]

Just have to ask Gerry, 'What would Jesus do?"

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that he would not spend his time making a list like "Grinch of the week"

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem dude.

 

[DisneyGerry]

Stores have used "Seasons Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" for years. How come no one got their panties in a twist over that and instead "Happy Holidays" gets a bad rap?

I dont know! It seems the secularization of at least the US has been going on for a while and each year they want to de-Christianize a little more. Take Christ out of Christmas? I, for one appreciate the work AFA (American Family Assoc) and the Catholic League are doing to at least keep these against Christmas honest.

Gerry

 

[DisneyGerry]

Just have to ask Gerry, 'What would Jesus do?"

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that he would not spend his time making a list like "Grinch of the week"

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem dude.

I dont know what Jesus would do surely he would not be happy especially with all this lukewarmness.

I just think it is important to Keep Christ in Christmas! Celebrate all the other holidays you want just Christmas should remain special.

 

[poohandwendy]

The sad things on that website were the towns that eliminated all religious expression rather than have Christian things included. Why can't we have a Menorah, a Creche, a Tree and Kwanzaa candles??? Why does everything have to be sanitized??

I am going to tell you exactly why.

Because for a long time it was symbols of Christmas. Then some people of different faiths wanted to see their faith and their holiday represented. So, those symbols were also included. And all was well.

But, it wasn't enough. Some people didn't want to be reminded of other faiths. So, it became a battle between some people of each different faith and non-faiths. Everyone wanted their particular agenda to be MORE important.

So, it's become all or nothing. Because you can't please all of the poeple all of the time and the complainers end up ruining it for everyone.

Instead of people just enjoying their faith and their holidays AND respecting other people, they became more consumed with what the other people were doing.

That is my take on it.

 

[akhenaten]

Oh no! Christmas is under attack! If Gap employees don't tell me "Merry Christmas" that must mean that Jesus was never even born! Everything I have ever believed has vanished! I'm so lost and confused.

Maybe I can find salvation over at the Wal-mart.

If wal-mart does not have any...try Target!

 

[poohandwendy]

I dont know what Jesus would do surely he would not be happy especially with all this lukewarmness.

I just think it is important to Keep Christ in Christmas! Celebrate all the other holidays you want just Christmas should remain special.

I don't think you understand, Christmas is not 'special' to people who are not Christians. You cannot expect people to conform to Christian beliefs. It's that simple. And as a Christian, I believe it is my duty and responsibility to be respectful of other people. Even ones who do not believe in Christ. Period.

Would you be ok with a Jewish person telling you, "Celebrate whatever you want, but Chanukah should remain special"?

There is not one person on this earth, nor one sale flyer, that can shake my beliefs, take away from my Christmas or make my faith 'lukewarm'.

 

[Laura]

I dont know what Jesus would do surely he would not be happy especially with all this lukewarmness.

I just think it is important to Keep Christ in Christmas! Celebrate all the other holidays you want just Christmas should remain special.

Uh, Christmas has nothing to do with store greetings.

 

[Crankyshank]

But Christmas traditions have nothing to do with Christ in the first place really. Traditions are a blatant rip off of Pagan traditions. If any should be complaining - it's the followers of Mithras, Frigga, etc... Let's keep the Mithras in Christmas.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I just think it is important to Keep Christ in Christmas! Celebrate all the other holidays you want just Christmas should remain special.

Christ is in my Christmas! Christmas is very special to me! I don't need the Gap to call a sweater a "Christmas sweater" to do that. I celebrate Christmas in my home and in my church, with my family and friends.

I find it very sad that some people allow store ads and displays to affect their Christmas celebration.

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

Let me preface this comment by saying that I am a Christian who "celebrates" Christmas. However, I place very little religious importance on the season. It's a nice, emotional time of year. I like the music, food, weather, time off, family, etc., but the history of this particular holiday is weird to me, and there's nothing more than tradition that links it to Christianity (i.e. no scriptural basis for celebrating Jesus' birth).

First, I want to say that I too am a Christian and I wholeheartedly support the use of "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" in the retail sector. It just makes good sense to err on the side of inclusiveness. We, Christians, do not own this holiday season.

That being said, I am completely confused by Oxfordcircus' comments. What do you mean there's no biblical warrant for celebrating the birth of Jesus? What about the birth narratives recounted in the Gospels? For me, Christmas is much more than an "nice, emotional time of year". While Easter is by far more important to the Christian story, there would be no resurrection without the birth. It is very important to understanding the trinity that most Christians uphold.

I'm sorry but I couldn't let that comment go unaddressed.