Kind of. The problem is that the people who are supposedly “offended” by the use of the word Christmas are largely non-existent. It’s another fabricated “America hates Christians!” type thing.
Oh, there’s PC types here and there, of course, but even most of them probably are not personally offended - they just think some other (purely imaginary) people will be. And in doing ridiculous things like this, they play straight into Bill-O’s hands.
I’m another atheist who’s happy to wish or be wished “Merry Christmas”.
I was all set to disagree with you and prove you wrong by searching the board’s history of discussions about “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas” and such. But as it turns out, you are right, at least about people around here. By and large, they do not mind being wished a Merry Christmas, getting a religious Christmas card, or even themselves wishing a Merry Christmas to their Christian friends.
According to the Snopes article, Lowe’s officials are saying that was a “printing error” that wasn’t caught before it went to print. Maybe some copywriting drone thought he was funny or something and is going to find a pink slip on his desk.
Personally, I think those who get their panties in a twist about being wished “Happy Holidays” are more annoying. As in denial as they can be, there are at least two other mainstream and Christian-approved holidays at this time of year, namely Thanksgiving and New Year. But hey, if some people want to get all huffy because one of Christianity’s holiest days isn’t quite commercial enough and all store personnel must hype cheap decorations to honor Christ’s birth, go right ahead, I’ll be over here rolling my eyes.
Firstly, as has been pointed out, “family tree” already meant something. It’s a good thing those idiots don’t work in a dangerous job like bomb disposal if they’re going to intentionally invent confusing terminology.
Secondly, this episode establishes for the record that Wildmon’s group is anti-“family.” They pressed to have the word “family” removed, after all. I think we should remember that they did so, and make a point of reminding people in the future; out-of-context, if possible.
I think that’s why they’re offended. It’s so fucking stupid it’s reached the point where it’s offensive in it’s utter numbnuttery. How fucking far do you have take neutering all cultural references so as not to offend people who probably don’t really care anyway?
You can’t “celebrate diversity” if you’re not allowed to actually talk about the differences that make things diverse.
There are al sorts of cultural oservances that happen around me that have nothing to do with me. What do I care? It’s not like anyone is forcing me to go to mass. I’m a non-Christian, if people celebrate Christian holidays around me, I’m happy enough seeing that they’re enjoying themselves because it’s important to them. I don’t see the cross and think, “How dare they parade that before me! My eyes! My eyes! It buuuuuuurns!”
What next? Birthdays?
“Boss, I am greatly offended that Dave is celebrating a birthday and has birthday cards on display in his cublicle. His birthday is not my birthday, and it is an affront to see such displays in he workplace.” And I bet all my other non-birthday celebrating co-workers would know what I mean!
Perhaps it was a marketing ploy to sell more trees. Lowe’s is thinking, “if we call them 'Christmas Trees, we’ll only be selling them to Christians. BUT, if we make them generic ‘Family Trees,’ then, heck, Jewish people have familes, Muslims have families and even atheist have families. We’ve just expanded our customer base for this product!”
