This quote from one of the complainants is rather telling:

She likened the situation to retailers that use "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" in their displays and advertising.

"First, we can't say 'Christmas' trees. It's 'holiday' trees. Then it's 'holiday' decorations," Ackerman said. "It just doesn't make any sense to me."

Dear Confused:

Who says you can't say "Christmas"? Conversely, don't retailers possess freedom of speech and are entitled to use whatever terms they want? Do you propose a law requiring them to use the word "Christmas"? Should non-Christian retailers be obligated to use Christian symbolism and terminology?

I've heard this complaint time after time, that "they" won't let us speak freely, and that "they" want to outlaw Christianity and that "they" want to ban the Bible (true incident, a Republican flyer in South Carolina in 2004). But who is this "they"?

It's worth noting that about 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while only about half that percentage identify themselves as Republicans. There are an equal number of Christians on the Democratic side, obviously. Why would they want to outlaw their own religion?

The truth is, people on the right have simply begun to believe their own propaganda, and tragically, if they are actually muzzled, it's entirely self-inflicted. (Not that muzzling the Right would be a bad thing, mind you, but it goes against American principles.)

A little common sense would be awfully refreshing.