I have been reading this thread with great interest.  What interests
(and pleases) me most is that we have by and large avoided the acrimony
and ugliness that so often characterizes discussions of this topic.  And
so often characterizes discussions of any topic on web discussion groups
;-)

There seem to be several recurring themes.  I would like to weigh in
with my humble opinions:

Inclusion vs. Exclusion: Several writers have suggested broadening
traditional Christmas programs to include activities related to other
cultures and religions.  Others have proposed avoiding all religious and
cultural connotations.  I guess I fall in the inclusive camp -- the more
the merrier.  And as one or two postings have already hinted, Christmas
is the biggest holiday of the year in the USA (largely for non-religious
reasons).  Ignoring this fact because not everyone celebrates strikes me
as odd.

Religious vs. Secular significance: Some have proposed that hurt
feelings can be avoided by focusing on the non-religious aspects of
Christmas; others have argued that any mention of Christmas is
inherently related to Christianity and thus excludes non-Christians.
Just to make things more complicated, I'd like to raise a third point of
view: there are many devout Christians who are increasingly upset over
the secularization of this religious holiday.  They would like to see
the "Christ" put back in "Christmas," and a display of Santas, toys,
lights, trees, etc. is as offensive to them as it might be to a
non-Christian.  So I worry if going the secular route would solve any
problems.

Decoration vs. Interpretation: This feels to me like the strongest
approach.  Putting up cultural and/or religious elements in a public
space as decoration can strike some as a tacit endorsement.  But
incorporating those same elements into a display that relates to your
mission (historical, cultural, natural, scientific, whatever) seems like
a wonderful way to take elements that most people are going to want and
expect, and use them to further your institution's goals (which no one
can object to).  However, I would still argue in favor of being
inclusive.

And allow me to close with a personal anecdote: at my previous job, I
had to write a sign for an exhibit that was to open the day after
Christmas.  I used the name of the holiday in the text.  Several staff
members told me that, though they personally were not offended, someone
certainly would be.  This being a large institution, I surveyed a couple
dozen non-Christians (including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Conservative
and Orthodox Jews, and one practicing pagan), all of whom told me I was
crazy -- there was nothing the slightest bit offensive about it.
Needless to say, it eventually got to a vice president who made me
change the sign.  I now work at a much saner institution.

With best wishes for the upcoming holiday,
(that's Labor Day in the USA),

-- Gene





Eugene Dillenburg
Lead Developer, Philippines Coral Reef exhibit
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60605

V:      (312) 692-3136
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"Mr. Watt has learned the first rule of not being seen -- not to stand
up."

-- M. Python, 1970