Holiday Blues

[Pah]

Wal-Mart faces boycott for 'banning' Christmas

Top retailer accused of discrimination while promoting Kwanzaa, Hanukkah
Posted: November 10, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Joe Kovacs
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47330

A Catholic advocacy group has launched a national boycott against Wal-Mart, claiming the world's No. 1 retailer has in effect "banned" Christmas, while promoting other seasonal holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Walmart replied

Walmart is a world wide organization and must remain conscious of this. The majority of the world still has different practices other than "christmas" which is an ancient tradition that has its roots in Siberian shamanism. The colors associated with "christmas" red and white are actually a representation of of the aminita mascera mushroom. Santa is also borrowed from the Caucuses, mistletoe from the Celts, yule log from the Goths, the time from the Visigoth and the tree from the worship of Baal. It is a wide wide world.

As a retailer, we recognize some of our customers may be shopping for Chanukah or Kwanzaa gifts during this time of year and we certainly want these customers in our stores and to feel welcome, just as we do those buying for Christmas. As an employer, we recognize the significance of the Christmas holiday among our family of associates ... and close our stores in observance, the only day during the year that we are closed.

Perhaps the whole point was encapsulated as a complaint from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, "It's nice to know that Wal-Mart is closed on a federal holiday".

It certianly sounds like the whole affair is a loss of Christian privilege and those that have or had it bemoan the loss.

The rest of the article shows that the privilege is still intact and the boycott is based on a false premise.

 

[Green Gaia]

I'm a little confused.... so they're upset that Wal-Mart sells Hanukkah and Kwanzaa merchandise too? Has anyone been to a Wal-Mart lately? They had Christmas stuff out before Halloween was over.

Or are they upset over the use of the inclusive "H" word on company press releases? As a business wouldn't it make sense to be inclusive? I would think so...

This is silly.

 

[Jaymes]

Well, 'anything that gets people to boycott Wal-Mart' is my first reaction. Though I'd rather people boycott them for reasons related to their workers than because of a holiday.

 

[NoName]

Kwanzaa is funny, because it's just a made up holiday, from like the 60s. I guess all holidays are made up, but this one is so recent. But I don't see what the problem is with Wal-Mart selling Kwanzaa or Chanakuh stuff, and it's funny that a religion of tolerance would be so intolerant of such a ruthless store selling non-Christmas stuff. I guess Wal-Mart should also get rid of all their snow shovels, sleeping bags, guns, etc.. because those aren't Christmas-y either.

 

[Sunstone]

Is the Catholic advocacy group being oversensitive? Are they reading much more into Wal-Mart's practices than is justified?

 

[Majikthise]

No matter what you do to please people these days SOMEBODY will get pi$$ed at you no matter what.

 

[michel]

Well, 'anything that gets people to boycott Wal-Mart' is my first reaction. Though I'd rather people boycott them for reasons related to their workers than because of a holiday.

That is the feeling I seem to understand is a common one, amongst you. If it is as a result of Christian bigotry, I think it a shame, and this vogue reflects a more and more invasive effect of conservative religious dictates in the high street.

 

[NoName]

No matter what you do to please people these days SOMEBODY will get pi$$ed at you no matter what.

Isn't that the truth!

 

[Sunstone]

From Wal-Mart's response:

"Walmart is a world wide organization and must remain conscious of this. The majority of the world still has different practices other than "christmas" which is an ancient tradition that has its roots in Siberian shamanism. The colors associated with "christmas" red and white are actually a representation of of the aminita mascera mushroom. Santa is also borrowed from the Caucuses, mistletoe from the Celts, yule log from the Goths, the time from the Visigoth and the tree from the worship of Baal. It is a wide wide world."


One of the conservative radio talk show bimbos I listen to said the Wal-Mart response must have been written by someone who was drunk. I find that an obnoxious comment. It suggests that anyone who is interested in the origin of customs must be drunk or out of their mind. Typical anti-intellectualism.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

"christmas" which is an ancient tradition that has its roots in Siberian shamanism. The colors associated with "christmas" red and white are actually a representation of of the aminita mascera mushroom. Santa is also borrowed from the Caucuses, mistletoe from the Celts, yule log from the Goths, the time from the Visigoth and the tree from the

IN all this Wall mart fail to mention that Christmas is only about the birth of Christ.
they only mentioned the bits they can sell.

Of course they are only interested selling, and you don't make much from selling Christ's Mass.
But If you could show them the "profit" in it they would stock it readily enough.

Terry_______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[NoName]

IN all this Wall mart fail to mention that Christmas is only about the birth of Christ.
they only mentioned the bits they can sell.

Of course they are only interested selling, and you don't make much from selling Christ's Mass.
But If you could show them the "profit" in it they would stock it readily enough.

Terry_______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

Christ was probably born in April. At least they don't lie about when he was born.

 

[AtheistAJ]

Wal-Mart should be boycotted for firing their workers when they reach 60 so as to not have to give them their retirement fund. I know a guy who was scammed like that.