‘Merry Christmas’ vs. ‘Happy Holidays’

The editorial that derides the Catholic League for protesting Hollywood’s anti-Christian bigotry (“Merry C-Word,” Dec. 20) looks rather foolish in light of a new study by the Parents Television Council. It analyzed 2,344 treatments of religion constituting 2,385 hours of prime-time television and concluded that “anti-Catholic bigotry” was “rampant” on network shows.

The editorial says, “Despite its official-sounding name, the Catholic League has no connection with the Catholic Church.” Not exactly. While we are a nonprofit organization funded exclusively by private individuals, we are also listed in the Official Catholic Directory and have won the plaudits of many cardinals and bishops.

William A. Donohue

President, Catholic League

New York

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Thanks for putting some perspective on those who are boycotting merchants for being inclusive.

My impression of those folks is that they are not the brightest lights on the tree, so why don’t we tell them we mean “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” when we say “Happy Holidays”? Think they’d buy it?

Teddi Curtis

Corona

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Your continued hateful attacks on Christmas and trivialization of its defenders borders on pathological. When special-interest minority groups organize boycotts, you demand allegiance. When a Christian majority organizes a boycott, you call it silly. The Times’ bias is overwhelming.

By your own numbers, Christians are a vast majority of the U.S. population, yet you continue to attack them through discrimination and slanted reporting. This explains why your once-great paper has reduced itself to an extremist fringe of insignificance.

Pat Murphy

Pacific Palisades

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I enjoyed your editorial “Merry C-Word.” Dec. 21 is the first day of winter, commonly known as the winter solstice, the rebirth of the winter king and the return of the sun, according to Wicca and pagan spirituality. And I am not whining about the fact that no one is wishing me a “Happy Solstice,” “Merry Winter” or “Blessed Return of the Light.” I don’t need someone else’s reinforcement of my own belief system.

It seems these Christians must be somewhat weak and doubtful in their faith to need so much bolstering up and validation in order to keep on believing. May we all have a peaceful and love-filled holiday, no matter what it is called.

Joyce Parkhurst

Long Beach