GET READY FOR THE FAKE “WAR ON CHRISTMAS.”

It’s that time of year when religious nuts explode in anger over the notions of diversity, inclusiveness, and respect for others.

STEPHEN SHAIKEN

DEC 12, 2023

Image courtesy of Freepix

It’s that time of year again, when people who don’t know me from a hole in the wall will wish me a “Merry Christmas,” assuming I believe that December 25 really marks the birth of a man who was born to a virgin and was the son of the Jewish deity. (I absolutely do not.) I see no need to burst their bubble or ruin their joy, so I generally say nothing, nod and smile, and trudge on. (If I know the person, and I see their greeting as an autonomous response, not delivered with any evangelical or conversionary reasoning behind it, I’ll sometimes wish them “Happy Holiday,” which is the greeting I prefer.)

(I have many Christian friends and relatives who I know celebrate the holiday, and I do of course wish them a “Merry Christmas.”)

“Happy Holidays” has become the default greeting of most department stores, big box outlets, and many other businesses that come in close contact with the…