Retailers Ban "Merry Christmas" at Their Own Risk

Hmm, is this really a religious issue? Should we care how retailers want to mark what is essentially just an annual shopping frenzy? Is this how Catholics are to celebrate Advent anyway?

When I was growing up in Poland in the 70's, there was no Christmas shopping season as such. Christmas started on Christmas Eve and shopping and preparation was done mostly privately and only by adults. Yes, we didn't live in a capitalist society, but it also reflected our Catholic culture. As far as I know, it's been quite "americanized" now (including the music) and a lot of people aren't happy precisely because they're Catholic.

I'm really not sure why the shopping mayhem of December must necessarily be called Christmas season. I would even propose that it shouldn't be. It is the season of Advent. Frankly, I hate the so-called Christmas music being played starting in November and I hate having to listen to it in the stores too. There, I said it! I stopped listening to FM radio few years ago because of "Christmas music" being shoved down my throat starting the day after Halloween.

I've lived in the U.S. for 30 years and I can understand how Americans may want to preserve what they consider their (protestant) tradition, but I don't consider it an issue of religious tolerance. It's a commercial holiday and it has been a long time since it had anything to do with the birth of Our Saviour. In fact, if they stop calling it Christmas season altogether I'll see it as progress. Bring back real Advent.

Move on, nothing to see here and "bah humbug"! (It's OK, it doesn't mean anything until Christmas Eve anyway)

How I dislike the term "political correctness". As a mere mortal and Catholic, I have my limitations and cannot content everyone. Political correctness in my view can only be applied if one holds oneself accountable for one's honest and true views and stands up for them. Yes this might lead to some people not having what they want (and in this case it's totally disregarding the ban) but in no way and this with the aid of God and with the notion of discernment should one give into the facility of putting bucks before one's faith. We as Christians also have our values, traditions and rituals and these should in no way be tampered with in order to favor greed and money.