From McDonalds to the local mall, Christmas is represented not by a nativity scene but by Christmas trees, snowflakes, reindeer and other secular symbols. Meanwhile, Hanukkah is (properly) represented by menorahs and the Star of David. Herewith are some examples.
- The Christmas selection for 1-800-flowers.com has no religious items but features a Star of David Charm Necklace for Hanukkah
- The Christmas selection for FTD.com has all secular items but sells Star Shaped Hanukkah Cookies
- Hallmark’s “Holiday Gifts” selection has no religious items for Christmas but sells a Silver Menorah Candleholder
- Bloomingdale’s has a “Chanukah” Gift Card set but no Christmas Gift Card set
- Studiodaedre.com sells a “Chanukah Menorah” but no religious items for Christmas
- AltaVista.com explains the secular meaning of Christmas but offers a religious interpretation of Hanukkah
- Yahoo.com lists six religions under “Religious Holidays” but only one of them has an “Opposing Views” category–Christianity
Catholic League president William Donohue commented as follows:
“It is one thing to partially secularize a religious holiday, quite another to obliterate its religious roots. It is also disturbing to witness the secularization of the nation’s majority religion while simultaneously recognizing the sacred roots of minority religions. All people of faith, regardless of their numbers, have a right to see their religion accurately represented. Just as Jews would not put up with nativity sets and dreidels adorning the public square, Christians should not put up with menorahs and Christmas trees dotting the landscape. The problem is not commercialization: if that were true, Hanukkah would also be secularized. No, the fault for this inequity rests with those whose anti-Christian agenda is relentless, as well as with their supine subjects.”
