Wal-Mart has decided to go back to using "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" in their stores and on their advertisements this holiday season.

"This holiday season, Wal-Mart isn't trumpeting big bargains only. It's also bringing "Christmas" back into its marketing, after several years of playing down the term.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Christmas cheer seems to be a hot trend this season as several other retailers including Kohl's Corp. and Macy's, a division of Federated Department Stores Inc., are also stepping up their Christmas marketing. The moves respond to mounting criticism from religious groups that staged boycotts against Wal-Mart and other merchants after they eliminated or de-emphasized "Christmas" in their advertising.

"We learned a lesson from that. Merry Christmas is now part of the vocabulary here at Wal-Mart," said Linda Blakley, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman...."

Continued - http://tinyurl.com/ynawc2



Personally, I think they should have just stuck with "Happy Holidays"

I don't really care. I like Christmas. http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

Yes either way it's their company they can promote christmas as much as they would like. It's really just mindless extremist bickering to say something like i won't be having my kids exposed to this kind of religous close mindedness

almost makes you want to convert to jewdism and slap them with a lawsuit

It should be "Happy Holidays". And yes, I really don't mind either way, but what I DO mind is Christian groups going as far to BOYCOTT Wal-Mart for RECOGNIZING THAT SOME PEOPLE AREN'T CHRISTIAN.

Im happy theyre doing this. Its bullshit that a bunch of radical non-christians should go out and ruin it for everyone just because theyre jealous they dont have a holiday celebrated near as much as christmas is.

It's more politically correct to say Happy Holidays and this is a free country where all religions should be respected. However, this is a country based on supposed Christian values, therefore I don't see anything specifically wrong with it.

It's not like they're saying "Merry Christmas... and fuck all you other motherfuckers."

Cheers,

Lost

Christmas has become less of a religious holiday anyway.

Where I work, we're not allowed to play christmas music. http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif)

I don't see why they can't just play it, then throw in a few songs about menorahs and stuff. http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif)

quote:Originally posted by The_Big_Beef:

Im happy theyre doing this. Its bullshit that a bunch of radical non-christians should go out and ruin it for everyone just because theyre jealous they dont have a holiday celebrated near as much as christmas is.

While I can agree with you, are the Christians who go out of their way to protest and boycott stores using "Happy Holidays" any less radical? The only Christians who really give that much of a damn about a store's holiday slogan are the ones who are perfectly willing to stir up trouble themselves.

However, given the nature of this country, disputes like this are inevitable and are usually without any sort of solution that won't end in some form of turmoil.

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:

It's more politically correct to say Happy Holidays and this is a free country where all religions should be respected. However, this is a country based on supposed Christian values, therefore I don't see anything specifically wrong with it.

It's not like they're saying "Merry Christmas... and fuck all you other motherfuckers."

Cheers,

Lost

ROFL !!!

OMG, I love you sometimes.

Thanks for the laugh. http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

quote:Originally posted by Peanutbutter Soup:

While I can agree with you, are the Christians who go out of their way to protest and boycott stores using "Happy Holidays" any less radical? The only Christians who really give that much of a damn about a store's holiday slogan are the ones who are perfectly willing to stir up trouble themselves.

However, given the nature of this country, disputes like this are inevitable and are usually without any sort of solution that won't end in some form of turmoil.

Well I never had anything against stores saying "Happy Holidy" in the first place, but I do prefer "Merry Christmas". But no, the radical christians who do the boycotting arent much worse. Unfortunately this country will always be this way.

Yes, I agree. How the hell can you celebrate a christian holiday without mentioning christmas.

Although, quite where it is said to celebrate christmas iin the Bible beyond me.

I am not Christian but I like presents...

America's herritage is christianity for one thing, so they reserve the right to use the term 'Merry Christmas.'

Prehaps one of the owners is religious, or it could be a marketing campain.

I agree with OP.

With "Happy holidays," you have the alliteration, for one thing. And "merry"--who the hell is merry any more?

And as much as I deplore PC nonsense, and suspect that Wal-mart is merely pandering to the religious right--what the heck. It's their store, and as long as they keep prices down--and stop oppressing the staff and third-world workers and trying to drive all the smaller retailers (like me) out of business-- good on 'em.

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:



It's not like they're saying "Merry Christmas... and fuck all you other motherfuckers."

Cheers,

Lost

I'll be saying that from now on.

The people that boycotted wal-mart for not saying merry christmas are assholes with too much free time.

This thread reminds me of a story.

I remember back in 8th grade, one of my teachers was a total jesus nazi. The local supermarket was owned by a jewish guy, and in december he put a painting of a mennorah (crazy jew words...) on the window. My teacher flipped a shit and got people to start writing letters saying that it's unfair and they should also have to put up a nativity scene. Not a christmas tree, as that's not a religious symbol, but a nativity scene.

After enough letters the guy just got fed up and took the mennorah down.

That pissed me off. Was it really that big of a deal?

She said that it's only fair that he put both up.

She didnt, however, ask him to put up that kwanza symbol or maybe a pentagram for the 14 year old satanists of the town or anything else. It's fair as long as it caters to christians basically. Christ that woman aggravated me some times. She played a large part in me renouncing my religion actually.

Walmart is a company. Companies want money. If this gets them more money, they will do it. It is that simple. They are just promoting mass consumerism as a holiday.

They never should've dropped "Merry Christmas" in the first place. Last year, it was Happy Holidays everywhere I went.

Politically Correctness is such an evil thing...

This doesnt have anything to do with political correctness. Wal-Mart just doesnt want their stores boycotted by Christian groups which resulted in a huge loss of sales. Its all about money.

It doesn't matter what holiday a store advertizes, someone is going to get offended. Hell i'm surprised someone hasn't tried to sue Wal-Mart for putting "Happy Holidays" because that person happens to not celebrate any type of holiday. People just want law suits so they can get money. Any well civilized citizen would know enough not to get mad at an advertizement that expresses a type of widely celebrated holiday, because it differed from thier holiday. Just stick with "Merry Christmas" because a majority of the people like it

How about Chrismahanakwanza?? At least I think thats how you spell it...

oh, the fundies are at it again:

"Washington — Conservative Christian organizations are contacting supporters to urge a Thanksgiving weekend boycott of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. because the company is offering to pay a commission to a small nonprofit gay organization for sending buyers its way.

Each purchase made by clicking through the Washington D.C. Center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People's Web site to Wal-Mart's retail site generates a payment to the group worth 5 percent of the sale.

Donald Wildmon, chairman of the Mississippi-based American Family Association, said Friday that his group has sent e-mails to 3 million supporters urging a boycott because the deal suggests Wal-Mart executives believe "the homosexual agenda is worthy of their support."

Operation Rescue, a Christian conservative group based in Kansas, also is calling for a Thanksgiving boycott of the retailer.

...

Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar said that since the link was established with the group in 2002, it has attracted one purchase at Wal-Mart, worth $41.73. That purchase generated a payment of $4.17, apparently because Wal-Mart was offering a 10 percent commission at the time, he said."

clicky (http://tinyurl.com/ybn5tb)

thats why im glad i live in australia, where people like this are laughed out of the place, and probably beaten up.

[This message has been edited by RAOVQ (edited 11-14-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by ThePhoenix:

This doesnt have anything to do with political correctness. Wal-Mart just doesnt want their stores boycotted by Christian groups which resulted in a huge loss of sales. Its all about money.

Sure it does. They dropped it in the first place to be 'pc', to avoid offending people who didn't celebrate Christmas. Same with all those places banning X-mas decor from the offices, public displays, etc...



[This message has been edited by Luther (edited 11-14-2006).]

i agree 100% they should do away with christmas in stores.

quote:Originally posted by RAOVQ:

i agree 100% they should do away with christmas in stores.

Funny how the media likes to call Christian conservatives a bunch of paranoid wackos for fearing that the government might step in and make businesses say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".

quote:Originally posted by -Morb-:

Funny how the media likes to call Christian conservatives a bunch of paranoid wackos for fearing that the government might step in and make businesses say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".

Well doesn't their bible say you have to spend money on presents to give to people you havn't talked to in who knows how long, and erect a pine tree in your living room, put lights in your yard, kiss under hung plants, etc etc? Pretty sure it's a commandment. If it does say they should do that in their bible then it would be wrong not to let them do it, after all their religion says to, on the otherhand if it doesn't mention that....

It really shouldn't even be an issue. It's kind of a sad thing that it is, imho.

I'm not christian and I don't give a shit if Wal-mart says merry Christmas. I buy stuff based on the price and convenience.

I would buy from Lucifer himself if he gave me a good enough deal

I hate being wished 'Merry Christmas'. I don't celebrate it, and I don't want to hear it.

Its their business, if they want to cave into right-wing Christian pressure, thats their right. However, I already wrote their corporate headquarters saying that I would be boycotting their store(which is like two blocks from my house).

I don't understand why people get so offended when people wish them a 'Happy Holidays'. I mean, I don't get offended if some one doesn't say 'Happy Hanukkah' to me.

I remember last year at my job this woman screamed at me for saying 'Happy Holiday'.

What psychos.

quote:Originally posted by Sharule:

I hate being wished 'Merry Christmas'. I don't celebrate it, and I don't want to hear it.



quote:Originally posted by Sharule:

I don't understand why people get so offended when people wish them a 'Happy Holidays'.

Hmmm.

What's wrong with saying Merry Christmas? It really is Christmas. It's not Ramadan. It's also Hannukah but the Christian festivities aren't Jewish festivities and it would be retarded to have a Hannukah tree. It's the Christian holiday season. It's also the pagan holiday, Jul, Where most of our Christmas celebrations derive from but there are few Northern European pagans in the USA. It's Christmas and I don't see why people are getting so worked up over people celebrating their holiday.

Then you have people who say, "CHRISTMAS??? MORE LIKE SHITMASS!!! M I RITE??? IT'S JUST A CONSPIRACY BY TEH EVIL CORPORATIONS TO STEAL YOUR MONEY!!!!" I don't see why people get their panties in a bunch over Christmas selling out. It's not like Christians even pay any attention to Christian teachings anyway.

I'm not concerned with the fact that Wal-Mart promotes Christianity as much as I am concerned

with the fact that we have a president that holds public prayer during national disasters and claims to make his decisions through "god's" guidance.

[This message has been edited by the dillinger escape plan (edited 11-17-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by the dillinger escape plan:

I'm not concerned with the fact that Wal-Mart promotes Christianity as much as I am concerned

with the fact that we have a president that holds public prayer during national disasters and claims to make his decisions through "[b]god's" guidance.



You get what you vote for.

[This message has been edited by Aft3r ImaGe (edited 11-17-2006).]

Seperating church from state does not mean seperating person from state. Bush is fully withing his right to lead public in prayer. People don't have to follow. If you think that no one can be religious, your nothing more than a socialist like the Russians who tried to abolish culture.

Prayer is a respectful way to honor the dead. It's a matter of hope. It's also a It isn't even necessarily a Christian thing. Not everyone is Christian but everyone prays for a better tomorrow.

quote:Originally posted by niggersexual:



Prayer is a respectful way to honor the dead. It's a matter of hope. It's also a It isn't even necessarily a Christian thing. Not everyone is Christian but everyone prays for a better tomorrow.

no, they don't. prayer is begging a diety to grant a wish. most people don't waste thier time on immaginary super hero friends.

and a christian prayer is a christian thing. its not like he is praying to a non-specific diety that all can relate to, he is praying to jesus and pals.

"If you think that no one can be religious, your nothing more than a socialist like the Russians who tried to abolish culture."

lol. wow, you know history good. where did you pick up that nugget of information from?

You're a close-minded and soft-skinned bigot. I'm not even Christian but people you people who say "RELIGION IS EVIL AND DUMB LOL!!!!!" are a bunch of idiots. Religion is an embodiment or manifestation of culture and is significant to the people who practice it. Are you next going to get mad at people who dress differently or eat different food than you? No one's forcing you to pray or be Christian. Bush was just being respectful in the way of his culture and you can shut up about it and respect other people's beliefs.

quote:Originally posted by niggersexual:

Bush was just being respectful in the way of his culture and you can shut up about it and respect other people's beliefs.

bush is a fundamentalist christian. culture doesn't come into the equation. he does the prayer thing because it is what he belives. prayer isn't a cultural act, it is a religious one, ive never seen someone pray who wasn't deeply religious.

quote:Donald Wildmon, chairman of the Mississippi-based American Family Association, said Friday that his group has sent e-mails to 3 million supporters urging a boycott because the deal suggests Wal-Mart executives believe "the homosexual agenda is worthy of their support."

What the hell is "the homosexual agenda"?

quote:Originally posted by RAOVQ:

bush is a fundamentalist christian. culture doesn't come into the equation. he does the prayer thing because it is what he belives. prayer isn't a cultural act, it is a religious one, ive never seen someone pray who wasn't deeply religious.

Religion is a cultural thing. Beside that, I'd hardly call Bush a fundementalist Christian. He seems to be a very secular person like most Christians. You're showing typical atheistic ignorance towards Christians. Being a Republican doesn't make you a fundamentalist Christian. You're an idiot.

quote:Originally posted by Peanutbutter Soup:

What the hell is "the homosexual agenda"?

It's Wal-Mart's evil plot to turn everyone gay! http://www.totse.com/bbs/eek.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/eek.gif)



[This message has been edited by niggersexual (edited 11-18-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by niggersexual:

It's Wal-Mart's evil plot to turn Religion is a cultural thing. Beside that, I'd hardly call Bush a fundementalist Christian. He seems to be a very secular person like most Christians.

bush is a member of the united methodist church, perhaps not a fundementalist group but president bush's actions reflect those of evngelican christians. he has said some fucked up shit like how god chose him to lead america. the republican party is not going to choose someone to lead them who does not reflect thier own belifes.

As a non Christian I personally do not see anything wrong with saying Merry Christmas and responding in kind when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas.

Many people want to make it a non religious holiday when in fact it is and in my opinion, that is not right.

People need to get off the political correctness bandwagon. After all, I sincerely believe political correctness in general is destroying this country. Oh and "Happy Holidays" is no better in my opinion because holiday actually refers to holy day. Holy refers to religion.

After all, you can't have your cake and eat it too.