Send to KindleThe War on Christmas(TM) is a silly concept that some folks invented so they could whip up people into a frenzy of victimhood. I believe they did this for the same reason anyone starts a war: to make money.
The War on Christmas (abbreviated TWOC) is just a convenient way to rally the pro-church side in the never-ending debate about where to draw the line between church and state in American government. So it’s really just a label on something that’s ongoing year-round.
Despite its fake nature, TWOC does real damage in the real world. It has caused debate on whether it is acceptable to say “Happy Holidays.” Christmas Warriors feel you should instead be saying “Merry Christmas.”
Let me detour and say I’ve always especially hated bandits that pretend to be in distress and when someone stops to help, they rob the Good Samaritan. I hate them more than your standard smash-and-grab bandit or stealthy thief, because faking distress and then robbing someone hurts people far beyond the crime itself. How? It makes not just the victim, but any who hear about the crime, less likely to help others.
In the same vein, the entire of the concept of a War on Christmas has the potential to make people hesitant about wishing someone well. “Happy Holidays!” has always been my preference as a holiday greeting or farewell for two simple reasons: 1.) The solstice-based holidays are near New Year’s Day and holidays is plural and 2.) I do not know what a stranger’s religion is, if any.
I felt this was a simple way to make sure I wished everyone well. I have said Happy Holidays my entire life and I can assure you, not once when I said it was I thinking, “I’m saying this so I can purposefully annoy and offend this obviously Christian person.” However, thanks to TWOC, now I feel a twinge before uttering this kind statement. Now when I go to wish someone Happy Holidays a thought lasers across my brain, “Is this person a Christmas Warrior who will manufacture offense at my sincere sentiment for their happiness?” In short, like the fake-distress bandits, TWOC has made me gun-shy about wishing someone well.
I can’t imagine something more anti-Christmas.
Anyway, to all you Christmas Warriors out there, let me turn this around. Many times in my life, in situations minuscule to major, you have said to me, “I’ll pray for you.” How would you feel if I flipped out and answered that with, “How dare you! I am an atheist! You should just hope for me!”
You would be confused. You would think, “How rude! Praying is how I show you respect. I’m wishing you well.”
Exactly.
When people have said they will pray for me, I don’t think it will do any good, but I realize they are saying something kind from their perspective. So I accept it and say “Thank you.” Can you do the same for me when I say “Happy Holidays”? Don’t project an agenda on me because some slime-balls want to draft you into their fake war and make you buy their stuff. Just say “Thank you.” I’m not trying to annoy you, or disrespect your religion, I’m trying to wish you more than one enjoyable day.
So, with all that said, I’m putting TWOC out of my mind. In fact, I’d like to formally request from you, world, that you get your final licks in and then join me in a moratorium on War on Christmas jokes and satire, etc. Such things (yes, including this essay) only bring attention to the concept. Mocking it no longer succeeds in deflating it, but instead feeds its need for attention.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
This item was originally posted on www.LarryNocella.com.