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It is actually OK to say Merry Christmas

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  COMMENTARY -- Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

These may sound like simple greetings but in our age of taking political correctness to the extremes, some people feel that the later is more appropriate, regardless of your religious belief.

The first amendment guarantees us the right of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and as military members; these are the rights that we hold most dear and protect every day.

Capt. Tim Long, 315th Airlift Wing Military Equal Opportunity chief recently sent a message to wing members regarding the use of the term "Holiday Party" instead of "Christmas Party".  "There is no (Department of Defense or Air Force) directive and the terminology may be chosen at the unit or shop level," said Capt. Long. He also said, "A basic principle of our nation is free exercise of religion."

To put it a different way, uniformed military members do not have to push their beliefs aside in order to embrace the trend of political correctness, and the word Christmas doesn't have to be removed from the vocabulary of military members who have Christian principles.

With a recent ABC News pole indicating that 83% of Americans claim to be Christians, why does the trend in America seem to suggest that people want to shy away from their own personal belief?  "Many Christians feel intimidated or obligated to say Happy Holidays as opposed to Merry Christmas.  We must remember, however that all religious beliefs are protected," said Chaplain Ron Apollo, 315th Airlift Wing chaplain.

While I think it is extremely important to recognize other people when they celebrate their faith, I don't find that I should hide mine; and the first amendment guarantees that I do not have to.

In this season of remembrance and religious celebration, whether you are a Christian celebrating Christmas, Jewish celebrating Hanukah or Muslim celebrating the Eid, embrace your faith, do not hide from it and remember this country was built from the blood, sweat and tears of many religions.

So this holiday season, feel free to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Seasons Greeting or Happy Holidays.  It's OK, you earned the right!