Six ‘War on Christmas’ Myths
Click here for reuse options!1. Public schools have banned the colors red and green. This one has been floating around the web for years. It has morphed into a classic Religious Right urban legend. The claim is made, but the details are few. Key questions are left unanswered: Where did this happen? When? How was the ban enforced? Was teal included?
The claim, which appears to have been made up out of whole cloth, was pinned on several unnamed schools. Finally, in 2005, a public school in Michigan was accused by name. Asked about the matter, the principal laughed and said there was no such color ban. It would be hard to ban green at the school, he added: It’s the school’s color.
2. Public schools can’t recognize Christmas anymore. It all depends on how they do it. Like it or not, Christmas has become a holiday with significant religious and secular aspects. Public schools can teach the religious aspects in an objective way, but they can’t celebrate them in a religious way. That’s for church.
3. Special laws are needed because it’s illegal to say “Merry Christmas.” So-called “Christmas protection” laws have surfaced in a handful of states this year. They are unnecessary and amount to little more than grandstanding.
State leislators are free to pass any silly measures they like, even ones that merely restate the obvious. Such is the case in Texas, where a new law ensures that everyone has the right to say “Merry Christmas.” Of course, no one had been told not to say this. The measure’s sponsor, Texas Rep. Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) couldn’t point to any specific examples of Christmas censorship when asked and would instead just insist that public schools are afraid to use the term “Christmas tree.”
4. You can’t use the term “Christmas tree” anymore or even display them in public. Sure you can. Christmas trees have never been declared religious symbols, and many state and local governments display them.
5. Cities and towns can’t decorate for Christmas because someone will be offended. Poppycock. Plenty of communities decorate for Christmas and often use holiday displays as a lure to draw shoppers downtown.
6. Clerks in stores have been ordered to say “Happy Holidays,” and store flyers and catalogs no longer mention the word “Christmas.” Some do and some don’t. Many retailer workers say “Happy Holidays” because 1) they are reluctant to assume that their customers observe Christmas; and 2) there is more than one holiday celebrated at this time of year.
Copyright 2013 Liberaland
