Thread: Boycott Target

"There is an anti-Christian bias in this country, and it is more on display at Christmas season than any other time." – Bill O'Reilly, The O'Reilly Factor, Fox News Channel – (Speaking about the decision of Target and other stores to ban the use of "Merry Christmas" in their stores and advertising.)


On October 7 the American Family Association (AFA) brought to your attention that Target was banning the Salvation Army's kettles from the front of their stores. Now we've learned Target is also banning the use of "Merry Christmas" from their in-store promotions and from their advertising in papers, TV, etc.

Your efforts are having an impact. USA Today (11/16/05) announced that "Target alarmed investors by saying projected sales at stores open a year in November would miss the estimated 4% to 6% growth. Shares of Target fell $4.13 to $54.30." (A 7% drop.)

Target's ban of the Salvation Army and "Merry Christmas" expresses the same attitude toward Christianity as that held by Michael Newdow, who wants to ban "In God We Trust" from our currency and "under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance.

American Family Association (AFA) is asking individuals to boycott Target during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend—the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Please share this request to boycott Target on that weekend with friends, family and members of your church and Sunday school class.

Please sign the petition to Target. This petition will also be sent to other major chains banning the use of "Merry Christmas" including Costco, BJ's, Wal-Mart, Sears/K-Mart and Kohl's. It is basically too late to change their policies this year, but we can change it for next year. Last year we called for a boycott of Federated Stores because they banned "Merry Christmas." This year they are using "Merry Christmas!"

A successful boycott of Target will send a message to every company!

This is your opportunity to make your voice heard. Please act today and then forward this to friends and family.

Sign the Petition To Target and Other Stores Now!
http://www.afa.net/petitions/signpetition.asp?id=1470

Maxie,

We were in your country in December last year. We were amazed at the "Happy Holiday" greeting. Responded with "Merry Christmas", (at least we could plead ignorance!), the looks of astonishment on some people's faces that we actually said the dreaded word "Christmas" was somewhat disconcerting. Is it a law in some parts of the US that you can't greet/farewell people with the traditional greeting? I mean there were some really furtive looks from sales people in the stores.

What I really missed was the Christmas carols that were NOT being played in any of the stores.

Mez

mezzy,

I think your experience was unique. Happy Holidays is a common greeting this time of year, but around Christmas time people still tell each other Merry Christmas without worrying about it, at least as far as i've seen. Who knows I live in the very Christian Texas so maybe i'm just sheltered.

Trade

I live in Texas too(but not for long) and I totally agree with Target's stance on the bellringers. I wish my favorite grocery store Krogers would ban them also.

As to the cards not being displayed in Target I haven't noticed that. I'll check the one I use and report back.

Originally Posted by catmando

I live in Texas too(but not for long) and I totally agree with Target's stance on the bellringers. I wish my favorite grocery store Krogers would ban them also.

As to the cards not being displayed in Target I haven't noticed that. I'll check the one I use and report back.

I do not understand wishing to ban the bell ringers - one can always
ignore them if they wish - The Salvation Army does very good things for many- My own children always stop and give something on their own-
My oldest also donates time with her youth groups to help them-
Who do the bell ringers harm? Many have forgotten that Christmas
is more then Santa , presents & food - They help to keep the True Spirit
of Christmas alive.

I too am backing the ban on target - but everyone is entitled to their
opinion too.
Merry Christmas & May God Bless everyone in the New Year!
lori

Originally Posted by lori

I do not understand wishing to ban the bell ringers - one can always
ignore them if they wish - The Salvation Army does very good things for many- My own children always stop and give something on their own-
My oldest also donates time with her youth groups to help them-
Who do the bell ringers harm? Many have forgotten that Christmas
is more then Santa , presents & food - They help to keep the True Spirit
of Christmas alive.

I too am backing the ban on target - but everyone is entitled to their
opinion too.
Merry Christmas & May God Bless everyone in the New Year!
lori

There is a price to pay for partaking of the Salvation Army's largess, whether it be food or lodging; listening to their religious spiel. When you throw money in their little pots that's what you're paying for. They will always insist on getting their message out.

And one CANNOT ignore those bells.

"Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome." John 1 vs 3-5

I pray that the light of Christ will shine on those still in the dark, to let them see.

Merry Christmas, In God I Trust and I pray that someday we will all stand indivisible, Under God... AMEN

antoher example of "home grown" religious intolerance from a non-ethnic/migrant entity.

teh problem is within but it's always easier to blame others - especially minorities. hitler did that and you know what eventually happened after unecessary bloodshed.

maybe america can learn from countries like singapore and malaysia where every holiday is celebrated (muslim, christian, buddhists and hinduism) in the "prooper" way instead ofthe "politically correct" way.

for example,when it is teh muslims eid festival, everyone including non-muslims greet muslims with "selamat hari raya (happy eid) ". during christmas, every non christina will wisht their christina friends with "merry christmas". same with teh other religions.

why is that a first world nation cannot achieve teh tolerance that a developing country continues to enjoy for over 25 years?

problem lies within. always has been.

You know... These things always seem to start with the ACLU rubbish. And you are right yhlc, it does start from within. Everything in todays society always needs to be forced conformity rather than respect, understanding and tolerance and acceptance to such issues as above. I guess it all depends on what on the inside huh? To many selfish and spoiled individuals I say.

What if a Target was owned by a Jewish family and all they did was play Hanukkah music. Then they decided to stop the hanukkah music and play only general holiday music. Do you think the Jews would be complaining that they will boycott the store? You have to realize that America is a melting pot of cultures and religions. What about the Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and other sultures who do not believe in Christ? "American" is not a religion, its a nationatlity. Boycotting a store because they wish to get away from the politics of religion is just a waste of energy in my opinion. There are much more important things to take a stand on then a store deciding to be more even keeled by playing general holiday music instead of music that relates to only a % of the population.