November 18, 2008 7:14 AM
Focus on the Family's Christmas to-do-list: lay off 149 employees, tell people where to shop
After donating $583,000 to aid the passage of California's anti-gay marriage initiative, Focus on the Family is laying off 149 employees and won't fill an additional 53 vacant positons.
It's the biggest layoff in the history of the Colorado Springs-based ministry, and comes on top of 46 announced in October that will take effect at the beginning of 2009.At a news conference Monday, Focus officials said the cuts were made because of a fall in donations. Donations were down for October, the first month of Focus' fiscal year 2009, and officials expect things to get even worse between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is typically when donations are highest.
The layoffs come shortly after Focus published a list of which retailers are sufficiently Christmas-centric .
The Colorado Springs-based ministry's political action arm launched its second-annual holiday campaign by posting an online shoppers guide with three categories: "Christmas-friendly" retailers, "Christmas-negligent" retailers and "Christmas-offensive" retailers.The "friendly" retailers are so designated because they prominently use "Merry Christmas" and other Christmas-specific references in their catalogs and in-store promotions. Those on the Christmas-offensive list use secular phrases such as "happy holidays" and have "apparently abandoned" the use of the word "Christmas," Focus said. Christmas-negligent companies "marginalize" their message by using "Christmas" in some cases and "holidays" in others.
Of course Focus claims its list is not designed for shoppers to march in lock-step away from retailers Focus decrees to be sufficiently pro-Christmas.
"It is not a boycott," said Sonja Swiatkiewicz, Focus' director of issues response. "Consumers can do what they wish with the information."Even so, the online guide includes an electronic petition shoppers can sign that tells retailers "I plan to consult Focus on the Family Action's Shopping Guide ... while making my Christmas purchases this year."
Meanwhile, Bill O'Reilly has wrapped himself in the holiday season spirit by offering a "We Say Merry Christmas" bumper sticker to all who plunk down at least $19.95 in the O'Reilly merchandise shopping stocking.
This is in the face of Fox's full-on embrace of "Happy Holidays" as Jason Linkins reports.
Do you notice/care whether a retailer uses "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? Is this social-conservative fueled "War on Christmas" tempest losing steam?
November 17, 2008
9:26 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
I'm not fond of ANY organization trying to tell me where I should or should not shop. I can decide for myself, thanks very much.
That said, I can see the point that FOF and O'Reilly are trying to make. When mention of Christmas is discouraged, the meaning is marginalized. Lowe's made headlines two years ago when they started marketing Christmas trees as "Family Trees". Totally absurd. If you want to celebrate Christmas, go for it. Ditto on Hannukah, Kwanza, Festivus Ramadan, or the freakin winter solstice. Let's not forget the underlying premise of all of these though, which is general goodwill. We should all give that some attention, imho.
November 17, 2008
9:40 AM
John writes:
Wow this is the same narrow minded ness that led to Gop defeat.
Think as we think or else.
this is similar to "your with us or against us "
mentality.
November 17, 2008
10:42 AM
LetsThink writes:
If some merchants won't honor the reason that we celebrate this season, then they certainly don't deserve my business.
The attack against Christmas has gone too far.
November 17, 2008
10:49 AM
Tbone writes:
Who cares what FOF thinks?
Is anyone more irrelevant that dobson?
FOF can FOAD.
November 17, 2008
11:00 AM
JMH writes:
Glad to see Focus on the Family is NOT worried about something important like "goodwill to all men" or the real teachings of Jesus Christ - love your brother, etc... but are focusing on the REAL meaning of Christmas these days - consumerism & further media fed division of this country!
Focus on the Family represents all that is wrong with religious organizations in America today...
I still don't see how saying "Happy Holidays" destroys Christmas? I say "Merry Christmas" to my friends and relatives that celebrate it, but I say "Happy Holidays" to everyone else, becasue I don't know what they believe.
I'm just wishing someone a happy celebration, no matter what their religious views are with "Happy Holidays" and I'm sure that is all that is going on with certain department stores when they say "Happy Holidays" - they are just trying to be more inclusive... the horror!
Focus on the Family needs to Focus on their own damn Family! The rest of us are just fine without thier hypocritical hatered of all they deem "un-Christian".
November 17, 2008
11:01 AM
DP writes:
I think it's ironic -- no, make that hilarious -- that, given "the reason for the season", the subject of shopping is even addressed by anyone who purports to be so adamant that the season be referred to as Christmas. How does consumerism fit into the celebration of the birth of Christ???
November 17, 2008
11:03 AM
DP writes:
I think it's ironic -- no, make that hilarious -- that, given "the reason for the season", the subject of shopping is even addressed by anyone who purports to be so adamant that the season be referred to as Christmas. How does consumerism fit into the celebration of the birth of Christ???
November 17, 2008
11:27 AM
prima facie writes:
If Focus on the Family offends your delicate sensibilities, why waste your time and effort paying attention?
Or does "bullying" and freedom of speech only apply to, say, Greenpeace or PETA?
November 17, 2008
11:32 AM
prima facie writes:
If Focus on the Family offends your delicate sensibilities, why waste your time and effort paying attention?
Or does "bullying" and freedom of speech only apply to, say, Greenpeace or PETA?
November 17, 2008
11:45 AM
GladysKravitz writes:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!....I hope everyone who observes and celebrates the myriad of holidays at this time of year enjoys their HOLIDAYS to the fullest. Be it lighting a menorah, decorating a tree, or retail therapy.... HAPPY JOYFUL HOLIDAYS! Enjoy the HOLIDAY SEASON. Go to a HOLIDAY CONCERT this time of year, go to the PARADE OF LIGHTS, pray at your house of worship or in your home, enjoy a HOLIDAY FEAST. If anything, Merry Chirstma-Kwanza-Kah! I think got that "christ" word in there...whew! Guess I'm covered....HAPPY now?
November 17, 2008
12:01 PM
history buff writes:
I guess if you belong to organization that wants to constantly gripe about something, if it fancies itself a Christian organization, one can only expect them to gripe about Christmas. They sound like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRm5qofw5vs&feature=related
November 17, 2008
12:18 PM
Ben-Exposer of left wing intolerance and hate writes:
FoF doesn't " constantly gripe". Total BS
Thanks Focus on the Family, Someone has got to keep these commies in line.
November 17, 2008
1:09 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
HBuff, I think you are onto something...I see a new Christmas special on the horizon, one where assorted bloggers come together to celebrate the season, and acknowledge each otehrs' varied beliefs. All except for one famous cartoon stoner who cannot get into the spirit of the season because the President-Elect has proven citizenship to his particular satifaction. Call it "An RTL Christmas"...produced, directed, written and made possible through a grant by Mark Wolf. (Soundtrack by Bob Seeger)
I think we may be onto something here...
November 17, 2008
1:26 PM
peterpi writes:
So, LetsThink and Ben, is a kosher meat shop or a Muslim owned bookstore being Christmas-offensive if they wish their customers "Happy Holidays"?
Is that same kosher meat shop offending Christians if they put a large "Happy Chanukah!" sign in their window?
If a store knows it has shoppers of diverse backgrounds, or it if doesn't want to insult its customers by automatically presuming that they are Christian, why shouldn't that store wish people "Happy Holidays"?
The birth of Jesus, the Incarnation of God as a helpless baby, is supposed to be the "reason of the season". How are "peace on earth", "goodwill to all" accomplished by threatening storekeepers with their livelihood? Make no mistake, the O'Reilly/FOF "war on Christmas" non-boycott boycott is exactly about that: You better say "Merry Chriustmas" and you'd better say it with a sincere smile -- or else!
How about placing stormtroo -- er "customer advisors" in front of shops that don't co-operate? Painting their windows with the words "non-Christian"?
Earlier posters to this thread are correct: If the only way some people understand or keep Christmas is through the spoutings of sales clerks, the holiday is already lost for them.
And that includes our resident enforcer of Protestant Orthodoxy.
November 17, 2008
1:43 PM
Mark Wolf writes:
Gr8fuldude:
Casting notice will go up soon.
November 17, 2008
1:57 PM
Ben- Grinch writes:
Peterpi,
Easy there big guy. Don't get carreid away. We are just maintaing the culture that allowed you to be able to do all those things.
November 17, 2008
2:05 PM
Tbone writes:
And what culture would that be, Ben?
Lemme guess...the white, christian, hetero culture?
November 17, 2008
2:07 PM
Boris Karloff writes:
"You're a mean one,
Mister Ben..."
(sing along all!)
November 17, 2008
2:22 PM
am 760 writes:
According to ben, anyone who doesn't say Merry Xmax is a commie. Your a smart one there ben.
November 17, 2008
2:33 PM
Hankie writes:
Wow, Bill O'Reilly wants $19.95 for that sticker??? I wonder how much shipping and handling is??!!
Nah, I have better things to spend my Christmas money on!
November 17, 2008
2:53 PM
Max Planck, Aurora writes:
Another example of Dobson's cynical game of exclusivity-by-faith. If it not sanctioned by his practice of Euro-Western style Christianity, it's invalid.
In an already compromised season for the retailers, this is an act of self-absorbed lunacy.
November 17, 2008
3:14 PM
history buff writes:
I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!
Does anyone know where I can find one?
November 17, 2008
3:15 PM
me2 writes:
So sad, you are still wasting time answering our own version of the Church Lady, LetsThink.
How will we know when we win the war on Christmas? I need some benchmarks here.
November 17, 2008
3:25 PM
me2 writes:
It is called religious hedionism.
November 17, 2008
3:33 PM
Scott the beer brewer writes:
Dang, my homebrew store isn't listed. I guess I'll just have to make a winter warmer instead of a Christmas ale.
November 17, 2008
3:42 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
Don't Buff, you'll shoot your eye out.
November 17, 2008
3:43 PM
peterpi writes:
Ben,
The culture that allowed me to be able to do all those things was originally founded by people, many of whom were Deists, who did not want government entangling with religion. They also didn't want religious coercion. Forcing businesses to say a certain greeting, at the threatened loss of substantial business, would most certainly have been condemned by them.
With all due respect, it sounds too much like what happened to Jewish shopkeepers in Germany in the 1930s. There, "good" Germans were told to boycott Jewish shops to protect German culture.
Make no mistake, the FOF action is a boycott: Say "Merry Christmas" -- and nothing else! -- or lose customers!
November 17, 2008
3:58 PM
Tree writes:
8dude,
But but but but but but but but where was he born? Prove it, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, pass the afternoon bottle to him already, and not the the milk bottle.
760- see you at the show tomorrow night. Don't get too scared during One Of These Days.
http://www.aussiefloyd.com/
November 17, 2008
4:13 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
Tree - Enjoy the show...We'll be at 35K feet all during showtime...stinks to miss the show, but we'll likely hitting a beach sometime next week, which will make up for it. Should be fun.
November 17, 2008
4:46 PM
GladysKravitz writes:
This is just a FOF stunt to keep themselves relevant. They need to throw this out there to replenish their coffers, after all the bad investments they made in political ads in a failed election.
November 17, 2008
5:32 PM
Ben writes:
Peterpi,
You are a Jew right? What country have the Jews created for themselves? Don't try to say Israel either.
November 17, 2008
7:07 PM
LetsThink writes:
It is sad how much this chat site is 'dominated' by Liberals.
Have they driven the Christians away by their attacks???
November 17, 2008
7:43 PM
Ironman Carmichael writes:
Now that F on the F has cut its workforce, it's made sure that at least 202 newly unemployed people won't be tempted to patronize stores that dare to bid their customers the dread "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."
November 17, 2008
11:30 PM
peterpi writes:
Well, Ben, a whole bunch of people claimed to create cathedrals, organizations, nations in the name of a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth in Roman-occupied Galilee or Judea, so we'll start with him.
Monotheism? Check.
Ten Commandments? Check.
Psalms? Check
You might also acquaint yourself with wat Thomas Cahill considered the Jewish rppts pf Western Civilization.
If you're trying to claim jews have no culture, you'd fit right in with the people I described earlier.
November 17, 2008
11:40 PM
peterpi writes:
Let me cleanly re-state one sentence, if I may: You might also acquaint yourself with what Thomas Cahill wrote about the Jewish roots of Western civilization.
November 18, 2008
6:09 AM
HolierThanThou writes:
If someone doesn't say "Merry Christmas" to me then I plot revenge against them, perhaps finding a way to ruin their business.
This is in keeping with the spirit of Christmas.
November 18, 2008
8:24 AM
Anonymous writes:
"At a news conference Monday, Focus officials said the cuts were made because of a fall in donations. Donations were down for October, the first month of Focus' fiscal year 2009, and officials expect things to get even worse between Thanksgiving and Christmas,"
Happy holidays Focus.
November 18, 2008
8:40 AM
Anon E. Mouse writes:
Huh...donations to F-o-F are down....
9NEWS is saying that donations to their 9Cares Colorado Shares food drive this last Friday were UP.
So I guess the worsening economy CAN'T be blamed for the "Focus" failure...maybe it's their exclusionary and divisive message.
November 18, 2008
9:19 AM
JW writes:
"It is sad how much this chat site is 'dominated' by Liberals.
Have they driven the Christians away by their attacks???"
Because CLEARLY you cant be a Liberal AND a Christian at the same time. Its one or the other. You have to either be a tree hugging granola farmer who always votes Dem, or a socail conservatve, gay bashing, "My Idea of Jesus is more right than yours!" pimping Republican.
November 18, 2008
9:38 AM
Shaggy writes:
When people see a massive Tax increase coming their way if Obama gets away with his scam by not complying to the constitution, donations are the first thing people start cutting back on.
This is no surprise.
November 18, 2008
9:57 AM
Matt writes:
Maybe Focus should start whining for money from the taxpayers like Acorn and LaRaza do. Then they wouldn't have to lay people off.
November 18, 2008
10:17 AM
JMH writes:
The Focus on the Family is gonna lay off a 159 people right before Christmas?
Anyone want to bet that Dobson doesn't do the "Christian" thing and take a pay cut himself or for those sitting in the highest positions in Focus on the Family's organization in an attempt to not layoff anyone before Christmas?
This is actually priceless... While I am upset that 159 people are gonna get laid off, they only have themselves to blame for supporting the current administration's destruction of our economy... I guess you could say they got what they asked for... but don't worry, I'm sure Dobson and the higher-ups in his cult wont be inconvienenced at all by this and will have a fine Christmas for themselves!
November 18, 2008
11:10 AM
Anon E. Mouse writes:
JW--
Just like, according to McCain, you can't be "an Arab" and "a decent man."
November 18, 2008
11:18 AM
jay writes:
this is a good lesson for the faith-influenced voters out there.
you will continue to vote against your own best interests as long as you allow those who would manipulate your beliefs in the supernatural to pull the lever for you.
cut the strings.
November 18, 2008
11:29 AM
me2 writes:
All that prop 8 money could have paid a lot of salaries. But you all know that FF values ideas over people anyway.
Maybe the tide is turning against these type of groups.
Let us all pray so.
November 18, 2008
12:46 PM
Ruffian writes:
Would love to know if any of those businesses designated as "Christmas friendly" have donated $$ to FoF (either corporations or high-level managers and CEOs).
November 18, 2008
1:28 PM
GC writes:
I think what the deal is here is that a lot of Christians are a little upset that Christmas is being taken out of this time of the year. In reality, there wouldn't be anywhere near a big consumer boost this time of year if not for Christians buying gifts for Christmas. Sure, there would be a little bit of a boost because of the other holidays, but the number of Christians in this country that only celebrate Christmas is a very high number, not to mention the many non-Christians that only celebrate Christmas. What we're saying is that maybe the only reason these stores are making so much money is because of Christmas, and we would appreciate them acknowledging our business by recognizing and our holiday.
November 18, 2008
1:57 PM
Anon E. Mouse writes:
GC:
That logic only holds if you think it should be OK for the majority to run roughshod over the minority.
It seems to ME the message of the season is not SHOPPING, but love, peace and harmony...and not acknowledging another's belief is none of the three.
Once again a plea; imagine the shoe on the other foot--that yours is a minority religion and the majority of the people tell you your belief don't matter.
Might make you a little peevish, no?
November 18, 2008
2:41 PM
history buff writes:
FF acts like it speaks for all Christians when it doesn't. The crass commercialism of Christmas was created by Madison Avenue as a way to boost sales. With the advent of television, the blatant appeal to buy Barbie, GI Joe, Chatty Kathy, toy guns, doll houses, games, and much much more, was sold along with sugared cereal during Saturday morning cartoons to America's children.
Now enter prosperity theology. It's not that the protestants haven't believed in divine providence, the Calvinists certainly have, but the modern evangelical church has more closely emulated the keep up with the neighbors mentality of suburbia than the dour persona of Calvinism. It seems that gift giving among the new evangelical churches is sort of a way to gain status. It's as if their brand of Christianity is born from the rigid class distinctions apparent in the pre-fabricated construction of cookie cutter suburbs so that giving the ultimate gift at Christmas amounts to a confirmation of status in God's eyes. It is as if their theology springs from television and their tradition of Christmas is a media event. No wonder they want retailers to acknowledge that it is Christians shopping for the Christmas holiday that boosts sales this time of year.
But that doesn't mean that anyone who isn't co-dependent with the commercialization of Christmas is not Christian. And it doesn't mean that if someone does not have strong feelings about the media event of Christmas that they aren't Christian. To many Christians, the spirit of Christmas comes from within. It doesn't need to be reinforced from without, especially in the form of gaudy displays by big box stores at the mall.
Be that as it may, in order to be inclusive, to join in the spirit of celebrating Christmas through the eye of the television screen, I will let this cartoon character explain the true meaning of Christmas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA
November 18, 2008
7:28 PM
HolierThanThou writes:
FOF decided that profits would be higher if they offshored those jobs to China. Most of them were done by unskilled workers whose Chinese counterparts will accept a tenth of the pay.
The good news is that there is a new line of Christian gifts and toys already loaded on the boats and coming soon. Here are just a few of the items that are sure to delight the devout:
1. It's a crucifix, NO! It's a plane! Jesus looks mighty uncomfortable on that cross until you snap the propeller beanie on his head. Then up he goes into the wild blue yonder on styrofoam wings using his feet as an elevator and tail rudder.
2. Bible Thumpers come equipped with motion detectors and will bounce any Bible clean off the table when someone comes within two feet of it. Reminds you to pick up the good book and read it. Not for families with persons who are easily startled or have a heart condition.
3. It was a hit back in the late 1970s but now Jonestown Punch is back! Every bit as tasty as the original Kool Aid but without the deadly cyanide. Instead, it's mixed with 195 proof pure grain alcohol and will rev up that holiday cheer even for Christianity's worst curmudgeons like James Dobson.
November 18, 2008
7:58 PM
Anonymous writes:
lolol
November 18, 2008
8:06 PM
nrunner writes:
Wonder if the ones laid off appreciated the campaign donations that were made. Maybe if everyone took a pay cut then everyone could be employed. Now that might be the Christian thing to do.
November 18, 2008
11:55 PM
z writes:
Nrunner, Of course they understand and appreciated their salaries be directed to stopping those evil homo's from getting hitched!
However this 'mo is willing to offer any one of those that we're laid-off the shirt off my back. I think Buddha and Jesus would approve, Dobson, not so much...
November 19, 2008
12:02 PM
Adam Kadmon writes:
In response to the latest piece of absurd lunacy from Focus On The Family, I intend to do as much of my shopping as possible with merchants on their "Christmas Offensive" and "Christmas Negligent" list.
I find it totally irresponsible in these economically troubled times to use tactics that may hurt businesses for such trivial reasons. This holiday shopping season may very well determine whether or not some places can continue to stay in business, and continue to provide jobs
This is just another example of the ridiculous, childish behavior of this group of supposedly intelligent adults. When your house is on fire, you had best spend your efforts on putting out the fire rather than discussing what needs to be preserved.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
November 19, 2008
12:12 PM
Adam Kadmon writes:
In response to the latest piece of absurd lunacy from Focus On The Family, I intend to do as much of my shopping as possible with merchants on their "Christmas Offensive" and "Christmas Negligent" list.
I find it totally irresponsible in these economically troubled times to use tactics that may hurt businesses for such trivial reasons. This holiday shopping season may very well determine whether or not some places can continue to stay in business, and continue to provide jobs
This is just another example of the ridiculous, childish behavior of this group of supposedly intelligent adults. When your house is on fire, you had best spend your efforts on putting out the fire rather than discussing what needs to be preserved.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
November 20, 2008
10:56 AM
Observer writes:
Never have I seen such hate and intolerance by liberals against a group of people who are trying to maintain their culture and heritage.
November 28, 2008
10:38 AM
lorielorr writes:
I wasn't going to comment but someone mentioned that maybe Christians would be against shops putting up Happy Chanukah signs if that is their preference. No, we don't think that. We just think that making them take that down and calling it something it's not would be the same as what is being done to Christmas. Have them call it Happy Seven Lighting Candles for Seven Nights! You can ask them to change Chaunukah to something about getting presents from a fictional made up character, like Super Candle Mouse, for seven nights. You can have that character light a candle every night he comes by and eat some cookies and milk while he leaves presents. He could ride in on a little carriage pulled by eight tiny grasshoppers...yeah, that sounds good. We have already compromised having Santa instead of Christ represent Christmas. Soon no children will know who Christ is, and that will be the real tragedy for the future of this country. But I guess we won't go there, because Christians shouldn't have an opinion...only everyone else.
November 28, 2008
10:40 AM
lorielorr writes:
I wasn't going to comment but someone mentioned that maybe Christians would be against shops putting up Happy Chanukah signs if that is their preference. No, we don't think that. We just think that making them take that down and calling it something it's not would be the same as what is being done to Christmas. Have them call it Happy Seven Lighting Candles for Seven Nights! You can ask them to change Chaunukah to something about getting presents from a fictional made up character, like Super Candle Mouse, for seven nights. You can have that character light a candle every night he comes by and eat some cookies and milk while he leaves presents. He could ride in on a little carriage pulled by eight tiny grasshoppers...yeah, that sounds good. We have already compromised having Santa instead of Christ represent Christmas. Soon no children will know who Christ is, and that will be the real tragedy for the future of this country. But I guess we won't go there, because Christians shouldn't have an opinion...only everyone else.
November 28, 2008
10:42 AM
Lorielorr writes:
I wasn't going to comment but someone mentioned that maybe Christians would be against shops putting up Happy Chanukah signs if that is their preference. No, we don't think that. We just think that making them take that down and calling it something it's not would be the same as what is being done to Christmas. Have them call it Happy Seven Lighting Candles for Seven Nights! You can ask them to change Chaunukah to something about getting presents from a fictional made up character, like Super Candle Mouse, for seven nights. You can have that character light a candle every night he comes by and eat some cookies and milk while he leaves presents. He could ride in on a little carriage pulled by eight tiny grasshoppers...yeah, that sounds good. We have already compromised having Santa instead of Christ represent Christmas. Soon no children will know who Christ is, and that will be the real tragedy for the future of this country. But I guess we won't go there, because Christians shouldn't have an opinion...only everyone else.