Excerpt:
The last time I wrote a column about saying "Merry Christmas" without feeling guilty was a few years ago and I recall noting in conclusion that I hope I don't have to write this again because the message is loud and clear. Alas political correctness has become a Canadian epidemic and with politicians still shying away from using the word, we have no role models left.
To acknowledge that I love this time of the year and that I have already been an active participant in the launch of the Christmas season is redundant, to say the least. I use the word "Christmas" with feeling since I've recently celebrated my own festival of Eid , wished my Hindu and Sikh friends a delightful Diwali, and my Jewish friends a Happy Hannukah. Therefore, I feel we should have absolutely no qualms about wishing our Christian friends a "Merry Christmas" on their day of joy.
Just to to think that in the year 2010, when Canada is fast set to become the most pluralistic country in the world, we're avoiding saying "Merry Christmas." Correct me if I'm wrong, but pluralism doesn't mean minimizing the celebrations of the majority but being inclusive about everyone's festivals. We know that every minority celebrates with full gusto, taking time off work with pay and having their kids take time of school without any qualms. In fact, employers have to accommodate minority faiths.