Posted on 12/01/2005 5:09:39 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
(AgapePress) - You win some -- and you lose some. That adage seems to apply appropriately to one group's ongoing efforts to keep "Christ" in Christmas, at least on the retail front.
According to the founder of Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA), it is apparent that at least one retailer -- Walgreen's -- has gotten the message that it is not in their best interest to continue avoiding use of the phrase "Merry Christmas" in its advertising campaigns and in-store promotions. Speaking earlier today (Dec. 1) on American Family Radio, Donald E. Wildmon said an AFA supporter had heard from Walgreen's, indicating that although it is too late to change this season's advertising materials, next year "things will be different."
He says a consumer response representative with Walgreen's is distributing a letter stating that "Next year, you can be assured our advertising will better incorporate 'Christmas' -- and our holiday trees will be called Christmas trees."
According to Wildmon, supporters of his organization continue to be effective in delivering the message that they are offended when retailers choose to promote the Christmas season without acknowledging it as such, choosing instead to remain "politically correct" by marketing such things as "holiday trees" and to be "inclusive" by prohibiting employees from issuing a traditional "Merry Christmas" greeting. Lowe's, a national home improvement outlet, recently got that message and announced it was going to "avoid confusion" and sell "Christmas trees" instead of "holiday trees" (See related story).
But all is not well on AFA's score sheet. Another major retailer that has been the focus of the group's efforts on this topic -- Target -- has now been selected as the object of a boycott. Wildmon says his group had asked Target to make Christmas an "integral part" of its promotions and advertising in next year's Christmas season.
"Knowing that is was too late to make changes this season," he explains, "we told Target that if they would make that change in 2006 we would encourage our supporters to shop at Target. But we also said if Target refused, or did not respond, AFA would call for a boycott."
The retailer did not respond to the offer, says AFA -- and therefore the group has called upon its 2.8-million online supporters and listeners of its nearly 200 radio stations nationwide to avoid shopping at Target stores for the remainder of the Christmas shopping season.
"Target doesn't want to offend a small minority who oppose Christmas," Wildmon adds. "But they don't mind offending Christians who celebrate the birth of Christ, the Reason for the season."
AFA says via an online petition it has gathered nearly 600,000 signatures from individuals who have pledged to boycott Target. The goal, says AFA, is to get upwards of a million signatures.
Meanwhile, in a letter to AFA president Tim Wildmon, the Kroger Company has explained its company policy regarding use of the holiday greeting "Merry Christmas." The letter, signed by group vice president Lynn Marmer, says the stores wish to "reflect the diversity" of customers, employees, and society and to make sure every customer and employee feels "welcomed and appreciated."
For that reason, writes Marmer, Kroger uses a variety of greetings and advertising materials during December -- including Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Season's Greetings, and Happy Holidays.
"We have not and do not intend to ban any of these greetings, including Merry Christmas," the letter concludes.
I'm so GLAD to hear Walgreens saw the light! I was boycotting them til now! I love Walgreens and I buy all my prescriptions there so I'm very happy to hear they have had a change of heart!
Do you know anyone who says: "I have to go Holiday shopping"? I don't.
And beware of Yuletide greetings or burning a Yule log:-)
I never went near Target last year when they kicked out the Salvation Army bellringers. I'm prepared to do the same this year. No problem. I'll have to give Walgreen's some advice, since we own the stock.
They can be found on those strips they usually hang on the endcaps. Good luck!
Actually, Christmas has only one date.
December 6 (not 5th) is St. Nicholas' Feast Day, and some people exchange gifts that day. Children put their shoes out in hopes that St. Nicholas will fill them with candies and small trinkets.
Epiphany (January 6) is celebrated in Latin countries with gift exchanges as "Three Kings Day", for it is the day the Magi arrived to visit the Christ child and bring Him the traditional gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is the last of the "Twelve Days of Christmas".
So yes, there are other religious feast days during the season which are celebrated with gift giving but Christmas is December 25 and no other date.
The other day I was at Wal-Mart and the Salvation Army was out front.
At least Starbucks sells the Christmas blend coffee.
Yikes! Don't they know that's being "intolerant?" LOL!
I driopped a few bucks into a salvation army pot tonight at Krogers and the Gal said Happy Holiday to me i turned around and said Merry Christmas to you
She Absolutly lit up with Joy Merry Christmas she say's in a happy voice and a very Happy new year sir I said same to you
It wasn't much but i think i made her day i know it made mine to make someone smile !
I've boycotted Target for almost 20 years, ever since I found out they were giving money to Premeditated Butcherhood.
Last year I said to my children (44 and 53 years old) - "Maybe this is the last year we will be allowed to celebrate CHRISTmas." It would sadly seem I was pretty close to right!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY FREEPER FRIENDS!
Ah, the resident liberal shows to spread tolerance. Tolerance sucks.
December 5 is "Old Christmas" to the Dutch and used to be widely celebrated in America at that time. No doubt traditional bodies like the various kinds of Catholic churches don't use that date.
And a very Merry CHRISTmas to you!
The Salvation Army commercials on TV are sponsered by Walmart also.
Target also does not tolerate that evil organization "Toys for Tots" . Screw Target and their liberal causes. I'll continue to shop anywhere else.
I was at my local Walmart today and The Salvation Army bell ringer greeted me as I entered with "Merry Christmas". I never pass that red kettle without giving what I can.
Myself, I haven't been in a Target store since last year when they ran off the Salvation Army.
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