Our Judeo-Christian heritage still circling the drain…
Just under half (49 percent) of those surveyed in a new poll said stores should have a “Merry Christmas” greeting policy, while 44 percent say businesses should opt for the more generic “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” out of respect for people of different faiths.
Robert Putnam of Harvard, a leading scholar of religion and co-author of “American Grace: How Religion Unites and Divides Us,” said he was surprised at the popularity of the inclusive holiday greeting.
“That represents a major change over the last 50 years toward greater interfaith sensitivity,” Putnam told Religion News Service.
As if Americans weren’t divided enough, even in this season celebrating peace and good will, the public is split over whether shops should greet customers by saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”
Not surprisingly, the new poll by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), in partnership with Religion News Service, found that the December greeting dilemma also divides Republicans and Democrats.
Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of Republicans say stores should use “Merry Christmas,” while nearly six in 10 (58 percent) of Democrats say they should opt for “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.”