Most of you will have heard of the theory of the “War on Christmas,” popularized by such conservative luminaries as Bill O’Reilly, that Christian religiosity and holiday celebrations are increasingly marginalized in modern America, as stores exchange “Merry Christmas” for greetings like “Happy Holidays,” and Christmas specials get pushed off the air.
I don’t buy it. I admit it’s hard for me to get behind any narrative of modern American culture that casts Christianity as the oppressed minority. And it’s also hard for me to view Christmas as disappearing from the national consciousness, when even cynical, snarky, generally liberal 30 Rock runs a hilarious (and heartwarming) Christmas special. But have I missed the boat?
Here’s my theory of the case, in the alternative: any degree to which either Christianity or the religious message of Christmas are downplayed in the modern media is purely incidental to rising multiculturalism in America. The nation is more diverse, and, quite simply, (1) there’s money to be made in making them and their traditions feel welcome by exchanging “Merry Christmas” for the only slightly less effusive “Happy Holidays,” and (2) this trade-off occurs less than one would actually expect, given America’s religious diversity. The only oppression I see in exchanging a specific, Christian holiday message for a general, abstracted holiday message is that Christianity no longer dominates the airwaves, but is, rather, merely the loudest of a number of holiday voices. That’s not oppression. That’s the consequence of national growth. If the religious right’s problem is multiculturalism, and new voices in the national dialogue, why not just come out and say it?
Or, perhaps more importantly, why use a season of celebration as a way of saying it? Whining about a “War on Christmas” is a surer way to kill the message and spirit of the season than acknowledging other cultures.
The US Christian right, a group with policies and beliefs so extreme that they’re practically identical to those of Al Qaeda on every matter of substance, has gained the influence it has by presenting itself as moderate.
The narrative of Fox News is that anyone who disagrees with them is a ‘far left extremist’. Despite all the evidence to the contrary (every poll shows that the vast majority of Americans want abortion, gun control, separation of church and state, evolution taught in schools), they say they are ‘moderate’ and speak for ‘real America’ and ‘folks’.
Everyone loves Christmas. Liking Christmas is, to put it mildly, a moderate position to hold. By saying that their enemies hate Christmas, it’s just another way of trying to persuade the 80% of Americans who are in the middle and tolerant and nice that the theocons are on the same side they are. American Christians have fallen hook line and sinker for the idea that because the right is Christian, it’s the same kind of Christian. Most Americans believe exactly what Richard Dawkins believes, to ten decimal places. Most Americans would not accept that, and would rather identify themselves with ‘fellow Christians’ who believe things that were laughed out of court in the 14th century.
The way to defeat this section of the right is simply to expose what they believe and how ridiculously far it is from what most Americans believe. The danger is that by doing so, moderates on the right, center and left end up seeming as shrill and ‘extreme’.
Elections are won in the middle. If the Republicans didn’t learn that lesson with Palin this time, they’ll learn it in 2012.
Posted by Steve Jeffers | December 14, 2008, 1:16 pm(1) there’s money to be made in making them and their traditions feel welcome by exchanging “Merry Christmas” for the only slightly less effusive “Happy Holidays,”
Or, in the case of Dunkin’ Donuts boxes, “Happy Holiddays”.
Posted by Steve | December 14, 2008, 5:38 pmBy saying that their enemies hate Christmas, it’s just another way of trying to persuade the 80% of Americans who are in the middle and tolerant and nice that the theocons are on the same side they are.
Well said. That’s the problem. It’s such a damn effective strawman!
Posted by Ames | December 14, 2008, 8:35 pmI always wondered what the fundies would do if Muslims complained about a “War on Ramadan” or if Jews complained about a “War on Rosh Hashanah.”
Posted by Ian | December 15, 2008, 9:02 amYou know, if there were a War on Christmas, and one wanted to enlist in it, would it be more damaging to Christmas to never refer to it (as with the complaints about “Happy Holidays”), or to use it as often as possible in as irreligious as possible a setting, for instance in lieu of “excuse me” after burping?
Just a thought…
Also, “Happy Honda Days”, to the list of Commerical Advertising Wordplay With Happy Holidays.
Posted by Steve | December 15, 2008, 11:17 pmI think the people who think there’s a war on Christmas are mostly just playing victims. I mean, it isn’t about people trying to steal away their meaning of Christmas, it’s about people trying to recognize that not everyone on this planet celebrates Christmas and the world doesn’t revolve around them or cater to them.
That being said, I support the war on Christmas.
http://gawker.com/5085989/atheist-ads-target-jesus-santa-babies
Posted by Oneiroi | December 16, 2008, 3:28 pm