Christmas is coming. For some it is a religious affair of pray and worship, for others, it is a celebration of gift-giving and good winter tidings. 

A large percentage (70.6%) of America’s population is Christian, and Christian holidays are seen as federal holidays while non-christian ones are not. In stores, on cards, Christmas is the dominant holiday. That is how its been historically as well, with different denominations and practices, but falling under similar beliefs. 

Nowadays there is a movement, by mostly liberal identifying folk, to switch to “Happy Holidays” to be more inclusive to non-Christian holidays, but not everyone is happy with it.

According to Prageru, the Happy Holidays movement to secularize America, saying the inclusiveness argument is invalid because most Christmas songs were made by Jewish songwriters. Dennis Prager displays Christmas as an American Holiday, without its religious connotations. 

A few students at CK feel a similar way. Olivia Foss (Junior) is an atheist and celebrates in non-religious ways “I don’t do the religious aspect…I do the more…commercial versions.” 

While Tyler Potter (Junior) who celebrates Christmas “to appreciate Jesus Christ, and all that he has done for mankind.” A more religious aspect being of Mormon faith. 

Although it can be wondered whether or not people of non-christian faiths celebrate for the joy, or for the fear of being left out.

Nonetheless, the Happy Holidays movement is still quite popular. Another argument he brings up is America’s religious history. “It’s a blatant reminder of just how religious America is – and always has been,” Prager says, but it hasn’t always been, Native Americans may have been spiritual, but weren’t religious in the sense that Prager is referencing.

Colonists came to feel open about their Christian denomination, so sure, in its founding, it’s been religious, but not always welcoming. 

Religious discussions can often be tense, but people are open-minded to change greetings. Have a very merry holiday!