Do you think it is wrong for business to ban the phrase "Merry Christmas"?

Question

Because I know I do.

Answer 1

Any company has a right to present itself, as a company, in whatever way it chooses to the public. It's no more wrong for a business to give instructions on greetings than it is for McDonald's to instruct its clerks to ask "Do you want fries with that?"

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Answer 2

If businesses can ban "Merry Christmas," then they should also ban having the day off WITH PAY for their employees. I don't hear atheists clamoring for THAT.

The name of the holiday is "Christmas." Until Congress changes the name of the holiday, it's no more wrong to say "Merry Christmas" than it is to say "Happy New Year" (because that's the NAME OF THE HOLIDAY) -- which, BTW, is also "Christian" in origin because it's based on the Gregorian calendar, as in Pope Gregory (and other religions do not have January 1 as their "new year") or "happy Dr. Martin Luther King day" (which is ALSO "Christian" in origin, as King was an ordained Baptist minister).

Answer 3

First of all, let's all stop pointing fingers here! The question didn't say anything about who's fault the 'war on Christmas' is. I will start out by saying, I am a Christian and proud of it. I am NOT proud of those of you that claim to be Christian and say stuff like, 'people should be forced to convert'. NOWHERE in the Bible does it say to force our beliefs on someone. God didn't force you to accept Him, why would you think it's ok for you to force others. Ok, now on to the question...I do not think it's right to ban the phrase Merry Christmas. This is a National Holiday. Yes, it is mainly celebrated by Christians, but it is not exclusive. I don't even think people know the true meaning of Christmas anymore. Everything is so commercialized, that people who celebrate Christmas aren't celebrating Christ. I don't celebrate Hanukkah, but I am not offended by it. I think that we all need to accept that we live in The United States of America which has freedom of religion. That means that ALL Americans have the right to celebrate their heritage, religion and anything else. If a company is going to ban one phrase, they need to ban them all! Ok, I'm finished now, hopefully I made since :) Blessings to all!!

Answer 4

I don't know if it is "wrong," but it is the stupidest thing I have ever seen.

We live in a society that is terrified of offending people. The problem is, a person is only offended if they CHOOSE to be offended. If someone says something rude to me I have two options:
1) I can be mad and angry and make everyone's life worse, or 2) I can go on and forget about it and not make a big deal.

I am not offended when people wish me "Happy Hanukkuh," or "Merry Kwanza," even though I am not Jewish or Black. I thank them for the warm greeting and am glad that we can be different but still get along.

Answer 5

First off to the lady who said this is Christmas time, let me point at it's also Chanukkah (sp?) and the Winter Solstice. So don't think this is Jesus time and that's all.

And I'm openly atheist but I still do think it's wrong to ban the phrase. Why? Because if a Jew came to me and said Happy Chanukkah (sp? again), I would say you too. I wouldn't be offended because just because I'm not celebrating it fully I am still in the time of it and shouldn't be offended that he told me that. It's hard to explain but no one should be offended by it unless it comes head on against your own beliefs. In which case all it takes is a simple, "oh sorry, I don't celebrate that."

People need to get over the politically correctness.

Answer 6

Businesses have the legal right to not use the phrase "Merry Christmas" is they choose to. I think most American businesses don't use the word more to avoid offending Jews, Hindus, and Muslims rather than because of atheist activism. The whole War on Christmas nonsense is just more right-wing propaganda by demagogues to stir up a persecution complex among Fundies...

Answer 7

Business will do whatever it needs to do to bring in the most paying customers. There is no "banning". Store policies are based on market research. If a store uses neutral greetings, it's because they believe more potential customers are offended by sectarian greetings. If they choose a sectarian greeting, it's because they believe that the people who prefer such greetings are either more numerous or more militant. A corporation doesn't care what is said, only that people buy stuff. It's all about public relations.

Answer 8

Stop selling Christmas trees then. Business is cold. All they care about the marketing the products and making money. But banning the phrase tells society we should be weak cause it offend us/them.

Answer 9

I work for a helpdesk, and my employer has a standardized phone greeting that all employees are required to use.

Nobody would consider this inappropriate for a business, so if a business decides to require their staff to say "happy holidays' instead of "merry Christmas", then that is their right too.

Answer 10

God has given all of us a choice & everyone should have freedom of Choice, that this world was built on was the Bible, but the History books will not tell you that.

What is good for one person isn't always good for everyone.

Christ has nothing to do with mass (not according to the word & meaning of Christmas) & I do not believe Christians should either.

Mass means death & yet they are celebrate what is suppose to be Christs Birth on a Pagan holiday, when no-one knows when his actaul birthdate is.

Answer 11

yes,
religion is a part of who most people are in most countries.

if a business completely ignores a holiday, I am fine with it.

if a business has Christmas decorations but will not say "Merry Christmas" then I will never shop there again.

you can't market Christmas decorations and pretend that it is not religious without people getting annoyed.