I abhor this trend (at the same time recognizing that there is a tendency in some to inflate the extent of this "war") and let me explain why. The reasons have everything to do with freedom, and virtually nothing to do with any one, specific religion - Christianity or otherwise....
You see, in America, we are are guaranteed freedom of expression. There are limits on this, of course; libelous, slanderous, or threating speech toward another individual or group may be dealt with via litigation. Also "incitement to riot" and sharing government secrets with other nations will get you in a heap of trouble, regardless of whether you think you are in the right. But, otherwise, we pretty much may speak our minds. So, let me ask the question, "Does the Bill of Rights specify that we must limit our freedom of speech to subjects which never offend other individuals?" Answer: No. In fact, some opinions we express or thoughts we elucidate may well offend others without being in any sense libelous, slanderous, or hateful.
Example: I think that George W. Bush is a pinhead. He is absolutely the worst president we have ever had - there's no doubt about that in my mind. It is also my opinion that the Republican party have been a bunch of mutually back-scratching fat cats, for decades. Furthermore, I think the Democrats are an ineffectual bunch of pansies.
I have no doubt that I have offended some individuals - maybe even everyone - with some part of that statement. Yet, not only do I not care if I have offended them, but the Constitution also protects my right to publicly write or speak the above, regardless of whether it offends anyone.
The same goes for saying "Merry Christmas," or putting a nativity up in one's yard, or going caroling, or decorating a Christmas tree in one's place of business. In the latter case, if someone doesn't like it they are absolutely free not to patronize said business. Likewise, if a Jewish business owner wishes to decorate his store in the tradition of Hanukkah, he has every right to do so. Because it's his store. Same with Kwanzaa. This extends all the way up to the board of directors of superstores.
Similarly, if the Jewish community should desire to get together, rent an empty lot, get the necessary permits, and put up a hundred-foot Menorah - go for it, says I. Not only will I come and marvel at its beauty and snap pictures of it, I'll tell my friends about it too.
And so on and so forth. You get the gist.
The exception I make to this concerns public institutions. The separation of church and state is a sticky matter, and it, too, is part of the theoretical foundation of this nation. The only way around this which I can see is simply to honor no particular seasonal/religious traditions, or honor them all.
Suggestion for schools. The school organizes NOTHING. Let each child, with the help of his parents, create some sort of kiosk honoring the particular tradition he/she observes, or maybe decorate his/her desk, or something.
Let me say, in conclusion, that I realize this suggestion is highly problematic, because there are ostensible Christians out there who would probably complain about the Jewish or Kwanzaa decorations, and vice-versa (and let's face it, kids can be terribly mean to each other). This being the case, let me again assert the idea of tolerance. Tolerance is practically an imperative in a democratic society, one founded on freedom. We tolerate that others have views and beliefs other than our own, and the right to express those views and beliefs publicly. Whether we agree with them, or not, and even if we actively dislike them.
I'll also say that I am aware that there have been certain "erosions" of our freedoms under the current presidential administration; I'm not blind. But let's not add insult to injury, and further erode them, by trying to prevent our neighbor from putting up Christmas lights, or a Menorah, or even a big picture of Larry, Curly, and Moe.
*In a nation characterized increasingly by polarization, the "War on Christmas" is as polarized (and sensationalized!) to opposite extremes as is the political spectrum, and the middle ground is vanishingly small. My view, in a nutshell, is that if some people wish to celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday, fine and dandy. If others wish to celebrate it as a religious holiday, that's fine, too. To whatever extent the two factions are making "war" on each other, I suggest: chill, relax, enjoy life. Live and let live. You have the right to do exactly what you please with respect to the way that you celebrate Christmas, including not celebrating it at all. And you don't have the right to tell anyone else what to do, be ye Christian, atheist pagan, or any other faith. You don't have it, even if you think you do, even if your particular faith (or the lack thereof) mandates that you get your fingers into everyone else's Christmas pie.
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