It's OK to say Merry Christmas!

One of the greatest things about the United States is the idea that you can pursue your dreams, live your life and believe what you want to believe without the threat of imprisonment or death. The society, which at times has been less than inclusionary, does allow us to live how we want to live without much worry.

This time of the year, as a Catholic, this time of the year is all about Christmas. For me and my family, this is one of the most important dates of the year for our belief set. In or view, it’s the celebration of the birth of the savior of mankind. It’s sort of a big deal for us which is how this all got started in the first place.

Which is why all of this “Happy Holidays” crap drives me nuts. The original intention of the statement “Happy Holidays” was to group Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year into one simple statement. Somewhat inclusionary, although I still don’t think laziness is a way to greet someone on an important religious holiday.

Just for background: I am the typical American mutt. On my mother’s side, I come from Russian-Jewish blood and on my Dad’s side it’s Italian, for the most part. I have extended family members that celebrate Chanukah, and some that celebrate Christmas. I also have those that don’t celebrate anything. Needless to say, my background is somewhat typical while unique at the same time.

When you look up the definition of the word democracy, even though its much more of a political term, one word jumps from the page: the majority. That is, the majority rules. We live in a democratic society and culture.

To that end, according to the most recent data 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas. It’s worth repeating: 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas. Did I say that it’s NINTEY-SIX PERCENT?

96% of Americans Celebrate Christmas.

In comparison, like the Jewish members of my family, five percent celebrate Chanukah and just two percent celebrate Kwanza – a harvest celebration that has no basis in any faith or religion and was made up just a few years ago.

This is why the “equal time” given some holidays this time of the year upsets me. We’ve become so sensitive to everyone’s “feelings” that we’re willing to relegate the will of the majority to a sick and evil political correctness. Christmas, and to a lesser degree Chanukah, should not be relegated to equal time this time of the year. It’s simply ridiculous and disrespectful.

Imagine if I made up a holiday and celebrated it the same time as Yom Kippur and demanded equal time. That wouldn’t be right. Or imagine if at the start of Ramadan I insisted that my non-religious holiday be given equal “time”? It would never happen.

Why are we afraid to celebrate publicly the holiday that 96% of Americans celebrate together? Does that mean we’re excluding the 4% of Americans who don’t? Absolutely not. This is so unnecessary.

It doesn’t matter that I am offended that my religious holiday, central to my Christian faith, is relegated to be put on an equal pedestal with a holiday devised by a convicted felon just 40 years ago? I guess it doesn’t since I am a white, Christian male. You know me, the crux of all the world’s problems.

I am in no way am advocating the miniority of Americans who celebrate these other holidays should stop doing so. For them, they may be important and I welcome their celebrations and what I can learn from them. But they’re not equal to Christmas this time of the year and they should not be positioned that way. You can vilify that position, call it “intolerant’ or whatever you like, but it’s fact.

Although I am not a “protest” guy or someone who takes part in boycotts, the fact you’re seeing successful boycotts of retailers and others who refuse to recognize the importance of Christmas this time of year shows Americans are reaching their boiling point on the issue.

Not all Americans who celebrate Christmas do so for primarily religious reasons. That’s sad in my opinion, but their choice. But overwhelmingly, a majority of the 96% who celebrate the holiday do so because of its religious roots.

I believe whole-heartedly in the will of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. It’s what’s brought us important legislation like the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and others. I am proud we’ve progressed as a country to ensure we do what we can to protect the minority of Americans who have different needs or were discriminated against in the past.

This is primarily the Christmas season. Let’s celebrate that and celebrate those holidays of every other faith when it’s important as well.

We can have diversity and we can celebrate all holidays. I stand side-by-side anyone who wants to do so, but it doesn’t mean it has to come at the expense of others, especially for 96% of Americans.

Follow Scott on Twitter @prgully or email him at scott@everyotherthursday.com. His personal blog, where he writes about public relations and social media, is www.scottgulbransen.com. His next speaking engagement is at the Business Development Institute’s Social Integration Conference, January 13, 2010 in New York. Oh…and don’t send him hate mail or call him “insensitive” because he doesn’t care!

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