How ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays’ reflect US military values
By Chaplain (Maj.) Jordan Henricks
Dec 23, 2024, 07:00 PM
The seasonal greeting “Merry Christmas” is made possible by the reality captured in the greeting “Happy Holidays.”
This duality underscores a uniquely American commitment to the freedom of religious expression enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution. It is a reminder of the delicate balance between our secular status as a nation-state and the religious freedom that typifies our legal and cultural framework.
In the United States, the First Amendment protects both the free exercise of religion and guards against government establishment of religion. These twin protections ensure that citizens can freely express their beliefs — or choose not to — without fear of coercion or marginalization.
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2024/12/23/how-merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays-reflect-us-military-values/
