I was in Kmart Friday afternoon. The store was very crowded. I noticed that I did not see a single sign wishing Christmas shoppers a Merry Christmas. When I realized that, I set out to see if I could find a Christmas greeting displayed anywhere in the store. I couldn't.
I remembered last year there was controversy across the nation. Some of the major chain stores had decided to delete any reference to Christmas from their Christmas decorations. Macy's was one. So was Kmart, and others. They said they did not want to offend customers.
The founding fathers meant that there was to be no state religion in America. They did not mean that there should no reference to Christianity or any other religion. The notion that a "Merry Christmas" would offend anyone would have been as ludicrous to them as it is to me.
Secularists claim Christians want to force their religion on everyone, which is ridiculous. Evangelicals are their favorite targets, and they won't even defend themselves. Attack them and they pray for you.
(I suggest Christians ask for an example when anyone accuses them of trying to force their religion on them. I know one very nice lady who said that to me, and when I asked for an example she became obviously upset, and then replied "the Crusades." I felt sorry for her.)
Polls indicate that 85 percent of Americans identify as Christians and 15 percent do not. I have seen no information on how many of them care one way or the other about any religion, or are offended because Christmas is an American holiday. The United States recognizes Christmas as a national holiday.
Corporate chain stores are invested in advancing the secularist agenda. In a few cases, Christian organizations gathered thousands of signatures complaining, and the stores backed down. There were convoluted and dishonest statements issued claiming the policies were misunderstood. They promised not to do it again. They lied.
Banning Christmas from stores doesn't make economic sense. Why would any business risk offending 85 percent of its customers to avoid offending less than 15 percent of them? I think there are several reasons. The stores might have decided that the risk is not as great as the numbers would suggest. Christians are astonishingly passive.
I should mention that I am a Christian, but not a passive Christian. I suspect the overwhelming majority of people who shop in these chain stores are Christians. They might not be focused on the fact that they are spending their money with companies that want to remove any reference to their religion, and are being insulted.
I mentioned the absence of "Merry Christmas" to the Kmart manager. He pointed out that decorations are sent to the stores by corporate headquarters. I am not criticizing the manager or staff at Hamilton's Kmart. They don't make policy.
I encourage Christians to contact Kmart headquarters. All Kmart needs is a reminder that Christians don't appreciate these attacks on a nationally declared religious holiday. Ask Kmart a question: If there is no Christmas, why should we all be Christmas shopping?
After all, there are local businesses that do acknowledge Christmas.
Gene Williams is a Christian who is alarmed and irritated by many retailers' refusal to mention Christmas. He lives in Hamilton.
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