Billy the Atheist writes about a man complaining when he wished a person "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas." Because he was in his National Park Service uniform, the complaining Christian took it especially badly:
"I guess Obama's making everyone in the government deny Christmas now." This was said by the person behind me in line. I was not talking to this person, I was talking to the young lady handing me my plate of Hunan chicken and fried rice. Now, I have to admit that I was impressed that he recognized the NPS uniform (I am sick and tired of questions about Pennsylvania hunting or fishing seasons (not even close to part of my job)). I was not impressed by the theocratic idiocy.
I turned to the older man and said, "No. We don't get any guidance at all regarding which of the many holiday greetings to use. I use happy holidays because I'm not a Christian, and I have no idea whether the person I'm talking to is, or not."
He frowned. Then said, "Well, happy Hanukkah."
"No. Atheist."
He then informed me that he would write his congressman to complain about atheists in the government and that it was atheist's fault that the government cost so much and did so little. He was not, however, nearly that erudite. He was irate and getting redder and redder in the face. Apparently, the thought that an atheist could work for our Christian nation (yes, he actually said that) blew his mind. And temper. And blood pressure.
The author concludes that the only "War on Christmas" is being waged by Christians who are trying to suppress or eliminate diversity both in how this time of the year is treated generally and in how Christmas itself is perceived specifically. I would go a bit further and argue that this "War on Christmas" is just another front in a wider culture war against cultural and religious diversity generally.
There has been widespread opposition to such diversity from white Protestant Christians who recognize their loss of cultural power over the past decades. It's hardly surprising that their reaction would be especially fierce when such a loss of power, dominance, and privilege occurs in an area that is especially meaningful to them -- Christmas. If they feel that they "own" Christmas, they won't react kindly to trespassing by people who don't share their beliefs, who don't respect or follow the same traditions, and whose political goals are so different.
This attitude of ownership and deserved control is expressed quite dramatically in the man's reaction to learning that an atheist works for the government of this "Christian" nation. Even the "happy Hanukkah" was given only grudgingly, signaling a bare grudging acceptance of Jews, so it's no surprise that atheists are treated as so far outside the "in group" that they shouldn't even be working in government. It's situations like this which underscore just how striking the similarities can be between saying "America is a Christian Nation" and "American is a White Nation."
Both lament the loss of privilege and power, express resentment toward minorities and outsiders perceived as stealing what rightfully belongs to the majority, and demand ownership or resumed control over the levers of power throughout society. Both also offer, implicitly or explicitly, authoritarian and even sometimes violent solutions to perceived social problems which are attributed to the misbehavior of uppity minorities.
Commenter Lifeguard had an interesting perspective on the debate between saying "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays":
Even when I still believed, if I didn't know what holiday someone celebrated, I just said "Happy Holidays."
It's a simple matter of being considerate - I don't tell people "Happy Birthday" on my birthday, because it's not their fu***ing birthday, and it'd be obnoxious of me to assume they are celebrating MY birthday.
Why should celebrating Christmas, Kwanza, Ramadan, or Chanukah be any different?
This is one of those ideas or perspectives which seems so obvious in retrospect that I feel almost embarrassed to not have thought of it myself already. I suppose it's not perfect because, in theory, there may be people who don't celebrate any holidays this time of year whatsoever, not even New Year's. Their numbers are probably small enough, though, that wishing a stranger "Happy Holidays" is reasonable in a way that assuming they celebrate one specific holiday is not.
As Lifeguard points out, there is a certain amount of obnoxiousness -- not to mention arrogance -- involved in assuming that your holiday is necessarily shared by everyone else or any random stranger you encounter. A more generic greeting is more polite and civil. It requires putting their feelings first rather than your own, much less any desire you might have to make a political statement or assert dominance through a passive-aggressive "greeting."
As a Christian, I am saddened when I read accounts where people who identify themselves as Christians behave in ways that actually deny the love that God wants us to display. It is understandable that the man who said “Happy Holidays” was, shall we say, dismayed at this man’s behavior and what he said. I agree with you that Christians are the ones who are often the ones who do more harm to themselves than any atheist or humanist could do. I would, however, argue that for anyone to say “Merry Christmas” would be appropriate, not because this is a Christian nation – it clearly is not – but because Christmas is a national holiday, not a religious one. The fact that Christians use it to celebrate Christ’s birthday, which it is not, doesn’t mean that atheists, humanists, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, etc, can’t use it to celebrate love, peace and joy in relationships and in communities. Many are inspired to do much good at this time of year, so Christmas has become a symbol of good will and peace. You don’t object to that, do you? Who knows, maybe, some day, when you least expect it, someone will show you the love of Christ, and you will be converted. Ho, Ho, Ho! what a miracle that would be!
Happy Holidays to Austin and all his readers!
A response to Rick Johnson,
I do agree with you in most parts except the part about there being a god who loves us. I use to be a Christian myself, but the real miricle would be for me to have any more faith in this god. There was a time that I had said a pray that the truth be known and that true justice be brought on. But if this god does exist then why did he maliciously and unrightfully betray my faith in him? And don’t give me the excuse that God works in mysterious ways. This was nothing more than intentional treachery.
There was no god there to defend the truth.
In my opinion IF he does exist he is an evil god.
If anyone maliciously and unrightfully betrays my faith in them, then the consequences is; faith no more. Because faith is a combination of, belief, trust and hope, and if anyone of these elements of faith is betrayed then it can not be faith anymore.
Truth and humility are now two of my moral values. Truth has no weakness and integrity is it’s strength. And humility gives one the wisdom to see both the ugliness and beauty that reside in truth.
Deception is the wisdom of pride and humility is the wisdom of truth.
Be objective to that which you are naive to, as opposed to being ignorant to that which you are doubtful of. And weigh that which you give consideration to, with truth.
Belief in the super-natural is better known as superstition.
Base your beliefs on truth as opposed to basing your truths on beliefs.
I have not visited this sight in about a year. But the “War on Christmas” has given me a desire to visit comfortable grounds.
I am aganostic, and live in the Bible Belt. I like Christmas, all the secular aspects of it, Santa, Reindeer, family and friends gathering.
What I have noticed this year, especially. Is that the fundamentalist when they say “Merry Christmas” it is almost as if they are saying “Merry Christmas D*#n IT!!” Which of course does not represent the secular OR religious view of christmas.
It also puzzles me why christians would want secularist to use the term Merry Christmas. The term cleary has many many more meanings many secular. Why not develop a new term.
I think I’ll start saying “Happy Christmas”, just to mess with a few minds.
Or maybe Happy New Year the week before New Year’s Eve. Or, when people say “Merry Christmas” on the days leading up to Christmas, say “Oh, I thought Christmas was on Friday. Oh, you mean the holidays around Christmas. Well, then, Happy Holidays!”