North Carolina Preacher Campaigns to Save Christmas
RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 24, 2004 — -- At shopping malls and department stores across North Carolina, it may look and sound like Christmas time, but shoppers are hard-pressed to actually find the word "Christmas" anywhere.
"My question is: when in this country did 'Merry Christmas' become a pejorative?" said the Rev. Patrick Wooden of the Upper Room Church of God in Raleigh.
Wooden, 43, says it's time to "put the Christ back in Christmas" and has encouraged the thousands of his fold to boycott stores that refuse to use the word "Christmas" in their advertisements or displays.
"It's high time that Christians came out of the closet," he said. "We know that there's power in prayer, but there's also power at the ballot box, and power at the cash register."
Wooden's campaign began with full-page advertisements that ran in the Raleigh News and Observer when the shopping season started on Black Friday. It advised Christians to "spend their hard-earned dollars with merchants who include the greeting Merry Christmas."
At Raleigh's Crabtree Valley Mall, it was clear that many other Christians agreed with Wooden's sentiment.
"We have gone so far to accommodate everybody," said one shopper. "To me it does seem like Christ is out of Christmas," added another.
The debate catches retailers in a difficult situation, trying not to offend non-Christians while appealing to a religious majority that feels its core values are under attack.
Somewhat surprisingly, Christians are receiving support from some in Raleigh's Jewish community.
"I think we in the Jewish community would be wise to understand that our Christian friends are celebrating a very powerful moment on their calendar, and I'm very happy to wish them a Merry Christmas," said Judah Segal, executive director of the Raleigh-Cary Jewish Federation.
Dillard's department store is one of the few in Raleigh where Christians are encouraged to spend their money this holiday season; sales associates there willfully wish shoppers a Merry Christmas.
Christmas decorations are in the store's windows and near every cash register, and Dillard's says business increased when the campaign began.
Wooden says he will target the local retail industry again next Christmas season.
"I am saying to believers, do not participate in a Christ-less Christmas," he said.
ABC News' Steve Osunsami filed this report for "World News Tonight."
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