Rachel Brougham: Is there really a war on Christmas?
I grew up in a small town in southwest Michigan where the majority of families I knew went to church each Sunday.
Every year just after Thanksgiving, workers would put up the city’s holiday decorations. The Christmas tree was lit up across the street from the old fire station near the town’s main intersection. Garland and wreaths were hung throughout downtown. And on the city’s streetlight posts that lined the shopping district were candy cane, snowman and wreath-shaped signs that read “Seasons Greetings.”
No one fussed about what was on those signs.
Yet these days, we can’t escape the holiday season without debate about the types of greetings we offer this time of year. Whether it’s outrage over what’s on a to-go coffee cup from a popular restaurant chain, nativity displays on government property or what a store clerk says to you when you enter or leave a store — we Americans have some strong opinions about the holidays.
In general, Christmas is still popular in America. Nine out of 10 Americans say they celebrate Christmas, according to a Pew Research Center survey done in 2017, the last time the nonpartisan fact tank did such a study. However, the survey also found that the role of religion in Christmas traditions here in America is declining. In 2013, 51 percent of Americans said they celebrate Christmas as primarily a religious holiday, yet four years later that number was down to 46 percent. In addition, 56 percent say religious aspects of Christmas are emphasized less in today’s society than in the past — and get this — relatively few were bothered by the trend.
When it comes to greetings, an increasing number of Americans said they didn’t gave a strong feeling between “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” And when asked if Christian symbols such as nativity scenes should be allowed on government property, a growing number said they should not be allowed under any circumstances. Three out of 10 said these displays should be allowed on government property if they are accompanied by other religious symbols, such as Hanukkah candles.
There are generational differences when it comes to how the holidays are viewed as well. For instance, Millennials are less likely than that Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to say they celebrate Christmas a religious holiday. The younger generation tends to say they celebrate Christmas as a cultural holiday.
In the days and weeks to come, many of us will put up Christmas trees, hang lights, light candles and make our favorite foods we only eat this time of year. We’ll buy gifts and gather with loved ones in our homes and at restaurants. Many will attend the church of our choice to celebrate the season. We’ll say things like “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” and “Seasons Greetings.” No one will stop us from doing any of those things.
So is there really still a war on Christmas?
If you still answer yes to that question, let me propose an idea for you this season. Instead of complaining about how other people celebrate, let’s all turn to the true spirit of the season by
focusing on what matters most — merriment and helping those around us who need help the most.
— Rachel Brougham is the former assistant editor of the Petoskey News-Review. You can email her at racheldbrougham@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Rachel Brougham: Is there really a war on Christmas?
