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Dear Virginia (except the part occupied by Jerry Falwell):
Growing up Catholic, and attending Catholic schools is about as close to religious immersion as is possible in this country. My youth was spent saying "Merry Christmas" (no "X" for us!) to all.
Then, I went to college at a large Midwestern public university. My friends were Jews, atheists, agnostics, Deists, and others who weren't quite sure. I found the world and the country to be more diverse than my youth led me to believe.
Now, having sped past the half century mark, I say "Happy Holidays." One reason: the person I am speaking to may (quite likely) not be a Christian.
More importantly, the "holiday season" in our country is not just Xmas, but actually a period that begins with Halloween (non-religious), revs up at Thanksgiving (totally a secular holiday), passes through Hanukkah and other religious and ethnic celebrations of the end of the year, explodes on Christmas, and finishes up on the most non-Christian holiday of New Year's Eve/Day, when drinking and eating and watching bad football define the day.
So, Virginia, there is a "happy holiday." Christians like me want to include everyone, especially in our diverse country, in this celebration. Heck, a few of the "heathen" might realize that not all Christians are in the mode of Bill and Jerry and Pat and Shawn; they might look into our faith.
But, Virginia, even if they do not, they will be part of an AMERICAN celebration, of all of our virtues of good fellowship, tolerance, love for our fellow man, desire for peace not war, and believing in the inherent goodness of the human race. And always remember, Virginia, these are Democratic Values.
Happy Holidays to All.
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