According to a Pew Forum survey, 78.4 % of Americans are Christian, 1.7% are Jewish, .7% are Buddhist, .6% are Muslim, .4% are Hindu, and less than .3% are Native American in terms of their religious affiliation.
I am a Christian and celebrate a religious holiday in December known as Christmas. I wish people a "Merry Christmas" to denote a happy time, a joyous occasion, a time to be with family and friends. For that is what I remember it to be as I was growing up. Mother would bake different batches of cookies and share them with neighbors and friends; we would participate as audience or on stage with the wonderful sounds of holiday music; and Dad would drive us around to see homes and downtown shopping district decorated with colorful lights, stopping at the big department store with their themed windows just for children. The best part was Christmas Eve, when Mr. Brown, a big band trumpet player and WWII disabled veteran play "Silent Night" from his porch in the dark after everyone had returned from their church services.
I never thought of these activities as political statements or "majority rules". They were just nice things that helped people smile at one another; reminded us to give to and/or visit the poor and the needy; and be grateful.
Let us hope this year that you can say "Merry Christmas" if you are a Christian and if not, please use a phrase from your religion that means hope and happiness too. This is the season for joy and hallelujahs.
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