Bill O’Reilly just doesn’t get it.
Last year, the controversial host of The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel decried what he termed “the war on Christmas” waged by so-called “secularists” seeking to remove any religious significance from the birth of Jesus Christ. The worst example of what he called the “anti-Christmas jihad” was the rampant use of the salutation “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” rather than the more religiously specific “Merry Christmas” in both public and private sectors. As O’Reilly intoned then:
The importance the Christmas controversy is that it has become the centerpiece of the culture war between traditional Americans and secular progressives. Outside of the war on terror, this culture war is the most important thing happening in the country today.
Bill, you totally misunderstand. We non-Christians do not want to excise Christmas from the cultural. On the contrary, we really seek to share the true meaning of the holiday with you. While some of us do not extol Christ‘s birth as Savior, we do celebrate the inspiration Jesus offers the world. His teachings on faith, humanity, forgiveness, mercy and acceptance awakens all people to “loving thy neighbor as thyself” and “turning the other cheek” against adversaries.
To me, Christmas symbolizes peace and goodwill to all. For once each year, strangers smile and greet each other in public. Our homes and businesses appear brighter and music softer. Despite congested mall traffic, the sound of bells replaces honking horns. We open doors for others. In northern climes, even raging blizzards suggest silence, purity and peace. For a few precious hours, wars stop and the world knows hope.
Christmas serves as a family time for all people. Christian relatives come from afar to celebrate together. The rest of us, because most places close for the holiday, spend rare quiet time at home alone or with family and friends. We read, talk, listen to music, nap or watch classic holiday movies —It’s A Wonderful LIfe and (the original) Miracle of 34th Street — which present Jesus’s teachings in a simple way all can comprehend.
When we “secularists” greet you with a heartfelt “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas,” we offer no offense. Rather, we want to be inclusive. We want to share the spirit of Christmas with all. In turn, we wish not to exclude others who may observe the season differently.
In late October [2006], Muslims finished the month-long fast of Ramadan with the major holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, a time of feasting, gift-giving, prayer and ending feuds. Hindus just celebrated Diwali, their own “Festival of Lights” which honors life, family and social relationships. Jews commemorate their own “Festival of Lights” or Chanukah to remember the world’s first victory for religious freedom. Buddhists remember Buddha’s enlightenment on Bodhi Day in December. Even pagans celebrate Yule or the winter solstice. For many people, the holidays extend from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Thus, the comprehensive “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” embrace everyone in this season of joy.
I agree with O’Reilly that Christmas must not be devalued as only a retail extravaganza (and, by the way, neither should Chanukah). Christmas means more than just Santa Claus, decorations, gifts under a tree and post-holiday sales.
But, Bill, please don’t marginalize the rest of us who observe diverse but as sacred holidays this time of year. Instead, please find deeper meaning in the spirituality all religions share.
As His Holiness The Dalai Lama says in the book The Good Heart:
I believe the purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside out hearts…The analogy drawn in the Gospel as to how “the sun makes no discrimination where it shines” is very significant…all human beings share the same divine nature.
The Winking Buddha Blog 
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