Saturday, December 10, 2005

ALLEGED CHRISTIANS CLAIM VICTORY OVER TARGET, SEARS

We say "alleged" because it's yet to be proven that the forces making so much noise about Christ being banned from Christmas are actually trying to live the teachings of Jesus.

World Net Daily crows about Target and Sears buckling to pressure from the American Family Association and Concerned Women for America. AFA had boycotted Target for the retail chain's use of "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." From WND:
"We are pleased to learn that Target has heard our concerns and decided to use Christmas in their advertising and marketing efforts," said AFA Chairman Donald E. Wildmon. "Since the company has responded positively, we see no need to continue the boycott."

AFA also called off a boycott on Sears after the chain decided to include Christmas in its stores this season. Sears notified AFA that "Merry Christmas" signs have been shipped and are now on display in all of its stores. The Sears website now includes a Christmas greeting.

A Target boycott petition at afa.net was signed by nearly 700,000 people, noted Wildmon, who said many companies have dropped bans on the term Christmas.

Target said, in its official statement: "Over the course of the next few weeks, our advertising, marketing and merchandising will become more specific to the holiday that is approaching – referring directly to holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah. For example, you will see reference to Christmas in select television commercials, circulars and in-store signage.

"We do not have a policy or intention of excluding the word 'Christmas' from our holiday advertising or marketing. Christmas images and themes have been used in our advertising and marketing in the past and you will continue to see these images and themes in the future."
Read it with clear eyes. Target isn't buckling; it's doing target marketing. Target ads aimed at Hispanic audiences will no doubt more prominently feature Christmas. Cities with prominent Jewish communities will see more Hanukkah ads. Pretty obvious.

But Wildmon and his fellow travelers refuse to acknowledge the obvious and instead claim false victory for a fake controversy. Better that than facing the hate in their own small hearts. We didn't realize their Christ was such a bully.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Personally, I say, "Happy Pagan Winter Solstice Holiday that Christians Stole to Use for Their Own Purposes."

I have an old radio friend who has a far more earthy suggestion, unsuitable for print, that seems appropriate for Ozark goobers.

I do wish they would all go back to Chadwick and find some copperheads to play with, and some old mayonize jars to drink some strychnine. There'e no need for them to do it on a public square.

Anonymous said...

I don't need a store to remind me of the celebration of Christ's birth.

Robert Leger in today's paper, "Retailers exist to sell stuff, not serve my spiritual needs."

This whole business is just another one of the many ways the right uses to hit flash points while ignoring the real problems.

This Christmas hoorah is serving the purpose of diluting our attention from living wage, affordable health care, affordable higher education, affordable daycare, etc, etc.

And, it appears to be working.

Busplunge

Anonymous said...

Some have wondered why I decided to distance myself from the "Christian" community I so strongly embraced for so many years.

I think this is a very small, but good example.