Words that are meant to hurt other people aren't just words. But words like "Christmas" aren't meant to hurt anyone - Christmas is just the name of the holiday, so in that sense it is just a "word". In all fairness, if one group of people isn't allowed to call Christmas Christmas, then why should another group be allowed to call Kwaanza Kwaanza, or Yom Kippur Yom Kippur? Why don't we just rename all holidays by their dates? hamilton's New Rules for Holidays: 1. If something is for Christmas, it keeps its name; a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree, because it is peculiar to Christmas. 2. Holidays are allowed to keep their names, because that is what they are called; it's what distinguishes them from other days. Christmas stays Christmas. Just because it has its origins in Christianity doesn't mean that it is still only a religious holiday, nor that it is inherently exclusive. 3. Businesses throwing staff parties in December must call them "Holiday Parties" because it is an inclusive term. Employees may be celebrating any number of holidays, so let's allow everyone to have their fun and feel included. 4. Similarly, employees in stores should use "Happy Holidays" when greeting people, and announcing "Holiday Sales". There's more than one holiday, and any given person should be celebrating any given holiday. 5. Conversely, parties in your own home can be Christmas parties if that's what you want them to be. You are celebrating, you are hosting the party; other people are being invited into your home to take part in your celebration. If you want to invite me to your Kwaanza party, I will go, without complaining that it should be a "holiday party" instead. I will have fun, and I will be thankful that you honoured me by inviting me to share in your happiness. 6. Taxpayer money should not be spent to erect Nativity scenes in public places, because they play only to the religious aspect of the holiday. The messsage on the side of the Hamilton escarpment should be "Happy Holidays", not "Merry Christmas". Everyone pays taxes, so it is ridiculous to use taxpayer money to celebrate a holiday that isn't observed by everyone.