You hear it all the time on social media or from your friends: “We should go back to saying Merry Christmas and not Happy Holidays!” But, why do we say “Happy Holidays!” in America and not “Merry Christmas!”?

Our country’s foundation was the desire for religious freedom. The pilgrims wanted to believe their own beliefs, and hence left England to go to the ‘New Land.’ As government progressed, it was ensured that Americans were given the right to believe in any religion they desired.

Christmas is a Christian holiday that isn’t celebrated by other religions. While, yes, 70.6% of Americans identify as Christians, 5.9% identify with a religion other than Christianity (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism) and 22.8% are unaffiliated with religion, according to the Pew Research Center.

When you wish someone a “Merry Christmas!”, you are assuming they celebrate Christmas.

We say “Happy Holidays” in referral to every holiday that takes place between Thanksgiving and the Chinese New Years. This includes Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Yule, Rohatsu, and Mawlid el-Nabi. We say “Happy Holidays!” to spread cheer through the one or multiple holidays the recipient celebrates.

Although some Christians would politely correct others if they wished you a “Happy Hanukkah,” many would get offended and feel as if the other person is forcing their religion onto them.

Now, make sure you go and wish your neighbor to have a Happy Holiday Season!

Written by: Rachel Craven, Staff Writer