Wal-Mart Confronted on 'Happy Holidays' Options

[Chii]

Wal-Mart Confronted on 'Happy Holidays'
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A group of religious protesters demonstrated outside a Wal-Mart superstore Saturday, hoping to turn away customers by calling attention to the retailer's decision to use "happy holidays" rather than "merry Christmas" in its seasonal advertising.

But even shoppers who agreed with the protesters weren't willing to interrupt their quest for holiday deals.

"I believe in Christ, and I don't like the use of 'xmas' or the use of 'happy holidays,'" said Steven Van Noy, 39, as he left the store loaded down with packages. "The bottom line is that they had what I needed at Wal-Mart, so I went to Wal-Mart to buy it."

Controversy over the secularization of Christmas is nothing new, but this year religious groups are publicly taking on retailers who have decided to tone down the religious aspects of the holiday in their store decorations and promotional material.

In an online petition, the American Family Association recently gathered more than 500,000 signatures asking Target to include Christmas in its promotions. Stores such as Sears and Wal-Mart are facing boycotts.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Amy Wyatt said the company has made no effort to remove Christmas from its holiday ads. She said a promotion set to run from mid-November to early January was simply misunderstood: its slogan is "home for the holidays."

"It was a matter of choosing a slogan that carries through the entire season," Wyatt said. "The signs went up before Thanksgiving and won't be taken down until after New Year's. The idea was to focus on the family."

About 50 protesters took part in Saturday's demonstration, organized by religious leaders. d**k Otterstad of the Church of the Divide donned a Santa Claus costume and greeted shoppers with the message: Don't forget about the meaning of Christmas.

"It is insulting that Wal-Mart has chosen to ignore the reason for the season," Otterstad said. "Taking the word 'Christmas' out of the holiday implies there's something sinful about it. ... This is a part of our culture."

what is the big deal with "happy holidays"? not everyone celebrates christmas, have these people not heard of kwanzaa or hanukkah? "happy holidays" just covers all the bases.

[jennyjenny]

Exactly. Maybe people who don't celebrate Christmas should be protesting in all of the stores who use "Merry Christmas". Seriously, Wal-Mart is already crowded enough so who the hell gives a damn if they use Holidays rather than Christmas. Christmas = a holiday?

[Hiphop d[-_-]b]

Wth. Thats so stupid. Why do they want to single out Christmas as the sign at the moment. Happy Holidays is so everyone, not only the people who celebrate Christmas will be wished a happy time with family. That is so stupid.

[Stephire]

Oi vey.
This is ghey.
I'm tired of the whole "political correctness".
My choir group got in trouble for saying Merry Christmas at the end of our concert.
If you're not christian then don't listen when I say Merry Christmas.
Go on with your day and deal with it. :p
But anyway, I do like the sound of "Happy Holidays" more. (:

[emazing]

Ehhck, that's pretty pointless, honestly. Who cares if Wal-Mart uses 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'?
Like the shopper said - you come to Wal-Mart to get your stuff and go home, not listen to a bunch of protestors arguing about something that's not worth bringing up.
-
&I'm religious, btw. xD

[Heathasm]

thats how they are down here, too. even doctors and shit are always like "just pray that there may be nothing wrong with your back and god will perform the miracle" and shiz like that. people need to learn about being politically correct and more understanding/accepting of other people's beliefs

[KissMe2408]

I hate this whole fight or whatever. It is incredibly stupid.
But I do think it's stupid you have to say "happy holidays" now,
but i don't think i'd go as far as what they were doing in the article.

Otterstad of the Church of the Divide donned a Santa Claus costume and greeted shoppers with the message: Don't forget about the meaning of Christmas

.

^oh yah that really shows the true meaning. santa claus.

[*stephinika*]

^^
i agree about the santa claus bit.
but these people are ridiculous. just get over it already. there are other holidays around this time other than christmas, so it does include other things since there are other celebrations...sheesh.

[Tribal J_Rome]

people are idiots. dec. 25 isn't called HOLIDAY. nobody celebrates HOLIDAY or says merry holiday, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAMNIT! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[misoshiru]

that's ridiculous. actually, christmas is no longer exactly a holiday to remember jesus' birth, but just to celebrate opening presents and food. this really isn't a big deal. it's supposed to be "separation of church and state" so i think that these religious protestors should just forget it already. oh they're protesting because of "political correctness" more like advertising God to everyone. it's these kinds of things which made me dislike protestant/catholic groups.

[-lana]

what is the big deal with "happy holidays"? not everyone celebrates christmas, have these people not heard of kwanzaa or hanukkah? "happy holidays" just covers all the bases.

i agree.

[Rachel]

Oi vey.
This is ghey.
I'm tired of the whole "political correctness".
My choir group got in trouble for saying Merry Christmas at the end of our concert.
If you're not christian then don't listen when I say Merry Christmas.
Go on with your day and deal with it. :p

1. Oi vey is a jewish thing. Tis funny that you are saying don't listen when you say Merry Christmas, yet you use jewish sayings. Weeeird.
2. Political Correctness or just being respectful of all other religions?
3. You go on with YOUR day when I say Happy Holidays.

Seriously, what the hell is so wrong with saying Happy Holidays. It shows respect for all the other cultures and religions out there. Christianity is not the only damn religion in the country so stop acting like it! Besides, the true meaning of Christmas is lost, it is especially obvious in this stupid protest.

[*xcaitlinx*]

Another perfect example of ignorant Christians.

[sharpandcuddly]

I think it's funny. Everyone is protesting about them not saying happy holidays, yet they allow god to be in the pledge of allegiance.
I mean, there are bigger battles to fight.

HOW ABOUT WE ALL JUST SAY..
HAPPY CHRISMAHANUKWANZAKAH TO YOU? :D

[Stephire]

1. Oi vey is a jewish thing. Tis funny that you are saying don't listen when you say Merry Christmas, yet you use jewish sayings. Weeeird.
2. Political Correctness or just being respectful of all other religions?
3. You go on with YOUR day when I say Happy Holidays.

Seriously, what the hell is so wrong with saying Happy Holidays. It shows respect for all the other cultures and religions out there. Christianity is not the only damn religion in the country so stop acting like it! Besides, the true meaning of Christmas is lost, it is especially obvious in this stupid protest.

1.I do go on with my day. I just said happy holidays sounded better.
2.Oy Vey is a yiddish expression, talk about disrespectful. Not all jewish people speak yiddish. Oooh and, Jesus was a jew.
3.The TRUE meaning of Christmas is Jesus being born. Get over it.
4.It really doesn't show respect; HOLIDAY IS AN EXTRACT FROM HOLY DAY.
5.Christianity is by far the most dominant religion. :p

Step down from your soap box.

[boozLe]

ridiculous.
the only reason wal-mart uses "happy holidays" in the first place is so that people who do NOT celebrate christmas aren't offended.

religion.
whatever.

[klumzy]

these retards need to read the politically correct version of little red riding hood...

[*jooleeah*]

I heard about this on the news. The whole thing is stupid.

[*mzkandi*]

Happy Holidays encompasses everyone and not just a special group of people. Grrrrr....silly people, lets all throw snow balls at them.

[steezahh]

thats boooottyy. hes stupid

[heyyfrankie]

okay..wow. more mother f**king christians pissing me off. that is re-goddamn-diculous! ugh..it just makes me so mad. the christians want EVERYTHING to be about THEM without thinking about others. what about those people who celebrate Hannukah or Kwanza?

ugh.

"It is insulting that Wal-Mart has chosen to ignore the reason for the season," Otterstad said. "Taking the word 'Christmas' out of the holiday implies there's something sinful about it. ... This is a part of our culture."

SHUT THE f**k UP!

[mouse_3k]

I think they are wasting their time. how pointless is that? they should just get the hell ova it

[Teesa]

Happy Holidays encompasses everyone and not just a special group of people. Grrrrr....silly people, lets all throw snow balls at them.

Haha agreed :P

There's nothing wrong with saying Happy Holidays. My mom, who works at Foleys, got yelled at by a customer for saying Happy Holidays to her. I was so pissed.

[sadolakced acid]

it's amazing how vocal the misinformed can be.

christmas is no more a christian holiday than jesus was a christian.

[*mona lisa*]

5. Christianity is by far the most dominant religion. :p

That seriously has no meaning whatsoever.
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This is all just silly. I wish I worked as a clerk so I can b!tch at the people who get angry because I say 'Happy Holidays' to them.