MRC's Culture and Media Institute Lists 'Grinches' Who Purge Christmas Traditions

The MRC's new Culture and Media Institute has already drawn national press attention by making a Christmas list -- not your everyday Christmas list, mind you, but a list of who's been naughty in denying Christmas in the public square, and who's nice in upholding traditions. The list of "Santa's Helpers" and "Grinches" is here. CMI's Kristen Fyfe explained:

It seems almost ridiculous that acknowledging Christmas should be controversial.  In a country where 96% of the citizens celebrate it, why do so many feel like Christmas is under attack?  An online poll done by the Chicago Tribune last week showed that 68% of respondents think there is a war on Christmas.  Why?

Because, Tiny Tim, there is.

Led predominantly by the ACLU (they’ll deny it of course, but ask the folks in Wilson County, Tennessee who are currently in court fighting the ACLU over – among other charges -- a kindergarten class singing two Christmas carols), the attacks against the only legal federal holiday in December have been mounting aggressively the past several years.  It seemed to culminate last year with Wal-Mart’s decision to forbid its employees to greet customers with “Merry Christmas.” The backlash was intense and led the giant retailer to reverse itself this year.  A Wal-Mart spokeswoman says the company learned its lesson and “this year we’re not afraid to say ‘Merry Christmas.’”

Afraid to say “Merry Christmas?!”

Is that really where we are as a nation?  A lot of folks think so, which is why a growing grassroots movement is fighting to reclaim Christmas.

A piece in the Washington Post yesterday (not on their website) came from the Religion News Service and said there had been "rumors" of a "War on Christmas." Rumors?