Attempts at pushing back on a secularist, politically correct Christmas

As many begin their Christmas shopping on Black Friday, they may not notice a few changes, but the changes are there.

For instance, the hilarious ornament found at Target this year, which has been circulating online and seems to poke fun at those who take offense at saying “Merry Christmas.” The ornament, pictured above, which has appeared on Imagur, may be humorous, but also highlights how politically correct our society has become when celebrating a federal holiday.

Hallmark also experienced outrage and controversy, which prompted them to remove a product for purchase. The problematic ornament in question changed the lyrics of “Deck the Halls,” substituting “gay apparel” with “FUN apparel.” The greeting card company received a variety of comments, including from those who found the change no big deal and were supportive. Many complaints came in, however, for several reasons. Some were disappointed with the deliberate change to a traditional Christmas carol, while others saw it as a purposeful move against gays and lesbians. Hallmark apologized and expressed their concern that the original lyric would be left open to misinterpretation.

Each year, the American Family Association (AFA) puts forth a “Naughty or Nice?” list to highlight which retailers recognize and are supportive of Christmas, which retailers do so marginally, and which retailers are against Christmas. Up until this year, Gap, Inc.’s chains of Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic were on the list of “Companies AGAINST “Christmas,”” with customers last year being encouraged to boycott Gap and Old Navy.

However, AFA received a letter this year from Gap, Inc.’s Bill Chandler, Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, with an “update on how Gap Inc.’s family of brands will celebrate the Christmas season.” The letter details that the stores will wish customers a “Merry Christmas” and celebrate the holiday with store displays, decorations and events. Gap, Inc., Old Navy and Banana Republic have now been moved to the column of “Companies for Christmas”” for this year.  In reporting on what the AFA is claiming as a victory, Biz Pac Review mentions that AFA has been trying to work with Gap, Inc. stores for five years. The closing of the letter from Bill Chandler also references responding to “feedback.”

Reporting from Citizen Link, with the Arkansas Family Council mentions that they “are looking forward to others following Gap’s example.”

In a move that perhaps demonstrates how extreme the War on Christmas has become, but also how far people are willing to go to protect the holiday, Governor Perry in June signed the bipartisan “Merry Christmas bill.” While many media outlets are now reporting on the law as Christmas approaches, The Huffington Post reported on the bill at the time it was signed into law. An explanation behind drafting the bill was provided:

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Dwayne Bohac of Houston, said he drafted it after discovering that his son’s school erected a “holiday tree” in December because any mention of Christmas could spark litigation.

Awareness of the law and efforts to further protect Christmas has been raised through the Merry Christmas Texas website. There is an opportunity for visitors to obtain a summary of the law and sign a petition which informs and encourages school districts to not be afraid of celebrating the holiday. Citizen Link with Texas Values has reported on Merry Christmas Texas, as has Glenn Beck. The latter includes the FAQ section of Merry Christmas Texas’ website as well.

We have seen that with the War on Christmas, school districts are confused about freedom of religion and Church and State. Some have been too afraid to even say “Merry Christmas.” The Merry Christmas law will protect the acknowledgment of the holiday. From Glenn Beck:

Texas has embraced a new law with bipartisan support affirming the First Amendment right for teachers, students, and parents to “acknowledge Christmas on school grounds without fear of censorship, persecution, or litigation”. It’s pretty amazing that legislation like this has to be passed in America, but at least Texas holds on to just a little bit of sanity.

The Huffington Post included a statement from Rep. Bohac expressing hope that this law will come to be in the other 49 states. As Governor Perry also expressed when signing the bill in June:

“I realize it’s only June. But it’s a good June and the holidays are coming early this year,” Perry said. “It’s a shame that a bill like this one I’m signing today is even required, but I’m glad that we’re standing up for religious freedom in this state. Religious freedom does not mean freedom from religion.”

In many ways we can be thankful that those who wage a war on Christmas, or who make unnecessary moves to silence the holiday out of fear and confusion, have not been entirely successful. Atheist groups, such as the American Humanist Association, have been particularly militant during the season, and have made several moves to ruin the Christmas season, particularly for children. Two schools were  faced with lawsuits and forced to cancel Operation Christmas Child, in South Carolina and Colorado. Stay tuned for future articles on how this federal holiday has been threatened, and how those who know the importance of this season are fighting back!