Fake News has always been around, but in the past few years it has become not just a nuisance but a danger to democracy. How can we have a free country when there's no way to tell truth from fiction? I believe the ethics of the majority of people in this country have, in the past, kept fake news to a manageable minimum. But something has happened. I read a Facebook post from a friend just this week that said President Obama has made it illegal to utter the word "Christmas." Now anybody with half a brain should be expected to know that is false. But, believe it or not, plenty of people with entire brains believe it.
One of the pervasive fake news stories that keeps going around on social media and right-wing news sites is this "war on Christmas" foolishness. Anybody who is awake would have to know there is no war on Christmas. Just turn on the tv and see if you can avoid seeing commercials telling you to buy this or that to make your Christmas merry. Ride through your town and count the decorations at homes, businesses, and churches. Christmas is in no danger of going away any time soon--especially when it makes so many people so much money.
One of the irritating false claims that goes along with this war on Christmas is the rumor that the term "Happy Holidays" was invented this century so that people could greet folks at this time of year without having to bring Christ into the mix. THIS IS SO NOT TRUE.
I did a little research. I didn't have to, because I can remember the term Happy Holidays being used on greeting cars and magazine ads and being spoken by people as far back as when I was a child--and that's really far back. But I like to have evidence to back up my claims. And I found a bunch of it.
I love vintage Christmas cards, and my memory was correct. There are many many vintage Christmas cards that use the greeting Happy Holidays. There are also some that say Season's Greetings. And there are even some that have menorahs on them--because you do know, I hope, that this is also the time of year when our Jewish friends celebrate Hannukah, which I probably spelled incorrectly.
So I thought I would give just a small sampling of all the cards and ads I found from past centuries that used the term Happy Holidays. The earliest one I could find was an ad from 1863, more than a century and a half ago (even older than me). See image below.
But there are many more. You might even have some in your own attic in those old saved greeting cards or magazines. So let's stop with the fake news stories. Because the practice is dangerous, you know. At least one state legislature in this country is trying to pass a law to force people to say "Merry Christmas." But even worse, some nut job burst into a pizza parlor just the other days, armed with an assault rifle and ready to kill because a prominent politician has put out the fake story that Hillary Clinton was running a pedophilia ring from the restaurant.
Now granted, something is likely wrong with the mind a person who would even believe such foolishness, but people with a voice have to know that words have consequences. Think before you pass on a Facebook post or a viral e-mail. Check out the information. Make sure you aren't contributing the a problem in this country that is becoming more dangerous every day.
And, by the way, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 12/07/2016, Beverly said ...
I am with you on this, Susan. I frequently use Happy Holidays. Also, I have never personally heard anyone chastised for saying Merry Christmas.
There are people around who want to make controversy about anything and anyone. I say enough with it. Let's just be respectful of our differences.
On 12/07/2016, Joanne Cage said ...
Thanks for this. I totally agree.
On 12/07/2016, Alison said ...
Bravo, great post
On 12/07/2016, kaye said ...
Great post! Thank you.
Kaye
On 12/08/2016, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...
Amen, sister. So many people these days don't realize that words do, indeed, have consequences and they blithely say whatever pops into their brain with no filters at all. There's that old saying about keeping your mouth shut and being thought a fool, or opening it and removing all doubt.
On 12/08/2016, Dolores Tanner said ...
Very god, well thought out blog, enjoyed it and learned something too!! Merry, Merry
On 12/09/2016, Barbara Anne said ...
Another AMEN!
Hugs
On 12/09/2016, ptrica said ...
Thank you so much for this post! The fake narrative of a war on Christmas and Christians in America just about drives me nuts I tell ya. I get this crap from so many of my friends who should know better that I'm about to believe that there's an epidemic of some brain eating disease, the recent election about confirms it in my view but that's another topic.
On 12/09/2016, Sylvia said ...
THANK YOU! Really appreciate your well thought out defense of common sense.
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