Buttars' Christmas controversy sparks holiday buzz

Utah politicos are buzzing this holiday season over two recent events:

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, created a national stir with his legislative proposal urging retailers to greet shoppers with "Merry Christmas" instead of nonreligious phrases i.e. "Happy Holidays." He hopes to end the "war on Christmas" because the United States is a "Christian nation."

Pignanelli: "The great Christian State of Utah hereby casts all delegate votes for the next president of the United States ... Sen. Barry Goldwater!" (A. Pratt Kessler, Utah Attorney General and delegation spokesperson at the 1964 Republican National Convention). Utahns were aghast at Kessler's pronouncement on television and ousted him from office. Our state has a long tradition of embracing "non-Christians." Utah was the second state to elect a Jewish governor (Simon Bamberger), and state officials were reluctant to enact Sunday closure Blue Laws out of deference to Jewish merchants.

Many of Sen. Buttars' friends and associates (including me) publicly defended him earlier this year because any racist overtones of his original controversial remarks were unintentional. For decades, he restored a quality life to thousands of Utah's troubled youth, regardless of color and creed. Thus, Buttars supporters are expressing deep disappointment for his recent comments.

There is a disturbing trend among various Christian faiths to adamantly declare America is a "Christian Nation." Many of these evangelical fundamental organizations also believe the LDS Church is not Christian (so apparently millions of Mormons are not true Americans). Conversely, I share with thousands of Utahns the common experience that some of the best Americans we associate with are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and agnostics. (I even know a cool Wiccan.)

America is rich with loyal citizens of different faiths — many with ancestors who died defending our country. They are true Americans because they earnestly believe in the principles of the Constitution — a document which expressly forbids the formal establishment of a religion.

The free market (not government action) best resolves this trivial problem. Retailers desirous of satisfying customers of multiple faiths can offer the generic greetings. Stores more focused towards a specific clientele can provide specific holiday salutations. Let's hope this silly controversy ends quickly so the Utah business community can continue, without distraction, the vital endeavor of attracting economic interests from around the globe — regardless of religion.