The Christmas Campaign

In recent years some media pundits and “culture warriors” have waged a vocal campaign against a so-called “War and Christmas.” Targeting department stores, local governments and school systems for replacing Christmas with “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings,” Bill O’Reilly and John Gibson of Fox News have led the charge against what they call a “secular progressive agenda” determined to drive religion out of the public square. William Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights warns of “cultural fascists” bent on destroying Christmas. The real assault on Christmas, however, is an excessive consumer culture that has turned a holy season into a celebration of commercialism and materialism. By urgently directing our attention to shopping malls and the consumerism that accompanies Christmas, this misguided campaign further distracts us from the real message of the holiday.

This celebration of individualism at the expense of a broader concern for our neighbors is at odds with message of Christmas, and that of the gospel: to promote human dignity, bring good news to the poor, and work for the common good of all. Join us in bringing the back the message of Christmas. Our campaign includes an “Open Letter to Christmas Culture Warriors” and a web site with ideas for socially responsible giving.

An Open Letter To Christmas Culture Warriors

For the past several years some media pundits and “culture warriors” have launched an aggressive campaign against a so-called “War on Christmas.”

Targeting department stores, local governments and school systems for replacing Merry Christmas with “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings,” Bill O’Reilly and John Gibson of Fox News have led the charge against what they call a “secular progressive agenda” determined to drive religion out of the public square. William Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights ominously warns of “cultural fascists” taking over Christmas. More...