Update: Americans and Religion

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE ^ | December 23, 2004 | GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

[RepCath]

PRINCETON, N.J. -- The arrival of Christmas and the beginning of a new year provide Gallup an opportunity to review a year's worth of data on Americans and their religion, with a special focus on Christmas. Here are 10 interesting observations:

1. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans say it is OK for people to wish others "Merry Christmas" as a way of spreading holiday cheer.

There's been a great deal of controversy this year over the secularization of Christmas. Some conservative and religious groups argue that the substitution of "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings" for the traditional "Merry Christmas" (plus efforts to remove overt Christmas displays from public places and public schools) takes away from the true meaning of the holiday. Those in favor of the changes argue that an emphasis on Christmas and religion is offensive to those who are not Christians.

The Dec. 17-19 CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll asked Americans the following question: "Which comes closer to your view: People should avoid wishing others 'Merry Christmas' because they might offend someone who does not celebrate Christmas, (or) it is OK for people to wish others 'Merry Christmas' because it is a way of spreading holiday cheer?"

The answer? Eighty-eight percent of Americans say it is acceptable to use the traditional "Merry Christmas" greeting. Only 11% say that it should be avoided to be politically correct.

Interestingly, even 79% of Americans who do not identify with a Christian religion (i.e., either identify with a non-Christian religion or have no religious identity at all) believe that it is acceptable for people to wish others "Merry Christmas".

[RepCath]

Quick get this to the ACLU.

[chiefqc]

I think that the ACLU should let the giant sleep peacefully, there will be a major price to pay if they continue to keep poking the giant and he awakes.

Take the hint, he is already starting to stir and it won't be long before he has had enough and decides to stop the poking of silly people.

[kitkat]

I just emailed my car dealer to discuss their use of "Happy Holidays" to answer their phone.

I suggested, "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" which would include everything while not denying Christians their special holy day.

If anybody has a better idea, I'd be glad to hear it.

Oh, and I informed them that Christians comprise 85% of our population.

[StonyBurk]

Maybe instead of Merry Christmas we ought declare as greeting that given by the good physician Dr. Luke (Luke 2:
verses 10,11) That the godless Anti-Christian Liars Union
and CAIR, and the humanist educators in America choose
to reject Written Truth is their problem.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

"Happy Holidays" has become so entrenched in corporate life in the US that I was pleased and surprised last week when I recieved several emails from colleagues in Europe that had "Merry Christmas" at the end. One of these men is even Jewish; he simply wanted to wish his American colleagues a Merry Christmas. No hidden agenda, no political statement - just a greeting.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

When someone wishes me a "Happy Holiday", I make it a point to respond with "which one?"

Usually I follow it up by asking, "Do you wish people 'Happy Holidays' at any other holiday?"

or,

"Do you say "Seasons Greetings" in the summertime? Why not? Summer is a season, isn't it?"