The "Merry Christmas" War

I took my kids out Christmas shopping. Yeap I said the C word. And don't feel bad about it at all. Ya know I am getting sick and tired of this. I have a diverse family. Really I do. My sister is Jewish, my brothers and most of the rest of my immediate family Pentecostal, my aunt is Catholic, my uncle is Episcopalian, and then you have me. I am sure there are several other religions and beliefs mixed in there too.

My point is, no matter what your religion belief or even no belief at this point, it is a season of giving and good cheer. Does it really matter what they say at the door to you? They could be Mormon or Muslim, but still they are greeting me at the door, or ringing up my purchases with a smile on their face and the spirit of some holiday in their heart. These boycotts and "I will not shop here till they say Merry Christmas" seems pointless to me. It's the holidays, where is your religious tolerance?

OK so someone said Happy Holidays to you, does that honestly make them or the company they work for less? Would you rather have them saying Merry Christmas because the boss told them that is what they needed to say, and have the resentment towards Christians grow in their hearts?

Let's just call it off. Our great country was founded on religious tolerance. We should all be allowed to practice what we believe as long as it does not hurt anyone else. How do Christian show their love and good will by being this way?

I was talking about this to my kids at lunch as we were eating out. I was telling them, I was raising them with certain beliefs and manners. But I wanted them to understand that others didn't share those. And while they may not agree with others they still needed to be respectful of them, regardless.

What is that old saying? You catch more flies with honey? Remember that the next time people are being rude and intolerant. We show our raising and our beliefs best when we are being kind, loving and giving.

And with that, I want to wish you the very best this holiday season. Wither it is Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukah, Solstice or anything else out there that I know I am missing. It is the season of giving and love, and what better way do I do that then by showing you I respect you and the way you believe. It may not be the same as me, but I still love you for who you are.