Focus On The Family Wants You To Have A Happy Tossmas
Focus On The Family Wants You To Have A Happy Tossmas Save Email Print
Colorado Springs, CO
Posted: 4:19 PM Nov 25, 2008
Last Updated: 9:22 PM Nov 25, 2008
Reporter: Rosie Barresi
Email Address: rbarresi@kktv.com

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Do you say Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

Every year it seems to be the center of some conversation and this year Focus On The Family is talking about it and petitioning. They're calling the petition, 'I Stand For Christmas' and 'Merry Tossmas.' That's because they want people to toss magazines that say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

But don't be confused. They're not trying to start a boycott, they just want to send a message. So they produced a short video clip with their message which you can find at, http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000008654.cfm

"It's a little tongue and cheek it's meant to be funny," said Stuart Shepard who is the Focus On The Family Media Director.

It's the second year in a row that they have petitioned and made a video about it.

"What's so offensive about the word, 'Christmas'," said Shepard.

Shepard says they've called dozens of retailers who explained to them, "We want to appeal to everyone," said Shepard.

Some people say they understand. "Out in the professional world you do what you have to do," said Jaime Garcia who said she prefers to say Happy Holidays.

While others say if you're selling Christmas items then you should say, 'Christmas'. "That's what the stores are selling for," said Kristin Kosley who prefers to say Merry Christmas.

But what about the other winter holidays like Kwanzaa and Hanukkah? "It doesn't matter to me," said Garcia. "Put Hanukkah on the cover, we don't mind," said Shepard.

Shepard says he'd just like to see advertisers promoting more personal ads because everyone is always going to have an opinion.

"It's Merry Christmas and that's the way it should stay," said Kosley.

"I typically say Happy Holidays because I don't know who I'm going to offend," said Garcia.

Focus On The Family has a petition section on their WEBSITE. Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.focuspetitions.com/?__utma=1.4407879825938195000.1227630671.1227630671.1227653871.3&__utmb=171146674&__utmc=171146674&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1227630671.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=193235757

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Posted by: Rich Location: florida on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:06 PM
i work for a county parks & recreation department in florida. at Christmas time,we are told to greet patrons to our parks and in the parade with"Happy Holidays". to satisfy a small group of non-believers,i am supposed to give up my right to say what i believe in. i say "Merry Christmas" regardless of what they tell me. if i am to get in some kind of trouble for this,so be it. i stand for the real reason for the season! and what about our freedom to practice what religion we wish? weakness in standing up for Chist...mas is an unamerican disease that is slowly killing our society. if you wish to celebrate Christmas for something else than what it is,that is your right. but do not tell me how i am supposed to acknowledge Christmas!without Christ,there would have been no holiday at this time of year. it would have made for a long,cold,unloving winter.....don't ya think?

Posted by: Larry Lynn Location: Los Angeles on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:38 AM
The Catholic Church co-opted many ethnic and folk celebrations of the Winter Solstice into “Christmas”. Any preference, to any faith, is to downgrade the others. All that I can say is “Happy Holidays”, to Dr. Dumbson. Stop imposing your personal faith upon me!

Posted by: TC Location: CS on Nov 27, 2008 at 05:01 AM
You support a lot of the folks that do not speak english, do not celebrate Christmas, are not Christians, and now want to dictate what people call December 25th. Wow!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 26, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Merry Christmas Location: Heaven Bound on Nov 26, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Merry Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. Why DO people have to say Happy Holidays? If it bothers you SO much for us to say Merry Christmas, well, then as "Robert" would say, you NEED a nut house. We are celebrating....Holidays.....we are celebrating Christmas. The BIRTH of our Lord and Saviour .... Jesus CHRIST. When it's YOUR birthday...should we say..Happy Day? NO we say...Happy Birthday..so and so. It is Christmas. What OTHER holiday falls in there? NEW YEARS...woopti do! And YES..I get offended when people tell me..Happy Holidays..it is CHRISTMAS. We are celebrating CHRISTMAS. I understand those who are Jewish.. Kwanzah about. get a LIFE. merry merry merry merry merry merry CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS..Jesus IS the REASON for THIS Season.......CHRISTMAS

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 26, 2008 at 01:56 PM
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Santa on Nov 26, 2008 at 12:18 PM
These people need coal for Christmas...or a good nut house.

Posted by: Robert Location: PPCC on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:22 AM
So glad Focus on the Family can lay off workers and still have money for petitions like this. Who really cares? I don't. To me, it doesn't matter which holiday you celebrate. Aren't they all supposed to be about love, compassion, fellowship, and overall peace toward Mankind? I guess that gets lost somewhere in the translation. I think Happy Holiday covers your rear, and that's why people say it. Because people don't want to offend somebody in our sue-happy, can't take anything anymore, society. If you really have a problem with someone saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, your nuts. They all represent the same thing: love, compassion, and peace. People who puts Christmas over Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa over Christmas, or any other combination, lost the meaning of the holiday season in my eyes. Donald, I find your post disgusting. The Holidays aren't only about Christ. It sounds like you are saying one holiday is better than another. Everyone celebrate any holiday u like.

Posted by: Michelle Location: Colorado Springs on Nov 26, 2008 at 09:14 AM
I respect all religions so say what you want to say and FOCUS ON YOUR OWN FAMILY.

Posted by: Helman on Nov 26, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Par for the nut cases, I'd say. They certainly are not an inclusive group. If they spent a fraction of their time on real issues, instead of those issue which separate folks, perhaps they'd get something meaningful accomplished. I do not believe Jesus would act this way...

Posted by: Donald Location: Medicine Hat Alberta on Nov 25, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Christ was sent to us. That is what we arecelebrating . Celebrate the other occasions on their day.

Posted by: David Location: Woodland Park on Nov 25, 2008 at 05:54 PM
What a bunch of fanatics! While FOTF would have all people celebrate only the birth of Jesus Christ, are they collectively that ignorant of other peoples and cultures? Christmas or X-Mas or Kwannza or Hanukka... it is all a commercial enterprise. Happy Holidays is "safe" because anyone that criticizes you for your beliefs is, well, certainly not a Christian! How can our community of "us" and "them" survive without tolerance. Don't shop if you don't feel that the store is not "God-like" enough for your liking. But just stay out of my Happy Holidays! Feliz Navidad, y'all!

Posted by: James Dobson Location: Colorado on Nov 25, 2008 at 04:29 PM
My bff is Larry Craig. We meet at the airport.