Community Corner
Tell Us: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
You might be surprised at the results of a poll on the subject.
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
When it comes to season's greetings, a new poll shows the majority of Americans prefer saying "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays."
According to a survey from Rasmussen Reports, 68 percent of people polled prefer the traditional "Merry Christmas" while just 23 percent like "Happy Holidays," which can cover a variety of occasions.
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When it comes to holiday signs, a whopping 70 percent of shoppers polled said they prefer to be greeted with "Merry Christmas" in stores rather than the more neutral "Happy Holidays," according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
It doesn't end there. There have been "Christmas trees" banned or replaced with "holiday trees" and nativity scenes moved to private property to avoid offending some, like the ones formerly in Palisades Park in Santa Monica. This year, the Santa Monica City Council voted to ban all types of religious displays—even the life-sized Christian dioramas that have been a regular sight for the past 60 years.
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The topic has been a hot one for years. Some say greetings such as "Merry Christmas" and displaying nativity scenes excludes non-Christians. Others believe the religious connotation behind the greeting should not be sanctioned by government or schools.
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, Festivus or anything else at this time of year, we want to know what you think. Is "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" your choice? Let us know the reason behind your preference in the comments section below.
