Falwell called for boycott of stores using 'Happy Holidays' in place of 'Merry Christmas'
{{date|December 26, 2005}}

[[Image:Jerry Falwell.jpg|right|200px|Jerry Falwell, Christian televangelist]]

Before the holiday started, American [[w:Christian televangelist|Christian televangelist]] [[w:Jerry Falwell|Jerry Falwell]] has asked that [[w:Christians|Christians]] across America boycott [[w:Target Corporation|Target Corporation]] department stores for their refusal to include "Merry Christmas" in advertisements or store decore, instead opting to use the more inclusive phrase, "Happy Holidays."

Target was not the only recipient of criticism, as [[w:Costco|Costco]] and several other stores have used similar greetings during the 2005 holiday season. Falwell and the [[w:American Family Association|American Family Association]] have threatened to boycott Target and Costco for not using the phrase "Merry Christmas" explicitly.

In a similar debate, the decorated spruce at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. was known as a "Holiday Tree" earlier this year, but was renamed "Christmas Tree" after objections by [[w:Speaker of the House|Speaker of the House]] [[w:Dennis Hastert|Dennis Hastert]] (R-IL).

==Sources==

*{{source|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002661545_christmasfight03.html
|title=Wishing someone "Happy Holidays" can get you in trouble
|author=Chicago Tribune and The Baltimore Sun
|pub=Seattle Times
|date=December 3, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/11/20/MNGVDFRH081.DTL
|title=Falwell fighting for holy holiday
|author=Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer
|pub=San Francisco Chronicle
|date=November 20, 2005}}

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{{archive}}
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:Jerry Falwell]]
[[Category:Christmas]]

[[pt:Polêmica sobre decoração de Natal nos EUA]]
Jerry Falwell, Christian televangelist

Before the holiday started, American Christian televangelist Jerry Falwell has asked that Christians across America boycott Target Corporation department stores for their refusal to include "Merry Christmas" in advertisements or store decore, instead opting to use the more inclusive phrase, "Happy Holidays."

Target was not the only recipient of criticism, as Costco and several other stores have used similar greetings during the 2005 holiday season. Falwell and the American Family Association have threatened to boycott Target and Costco for not using the phrase "Merry Christmas" explicitly.

In a similar debate, the decorated spruce at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. was known as a "Holiday Tree" earlier this year, but was renamed "Christmas Tree" after objections by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL).

*

Polêmica sobre decoração de Natal nos EUA
United States Religion Christianity Economy and business Jerry Falwell Christmas