1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Best Buy Prints Muslim Holiday Greeting

Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Marcia, Dec 15, 2009.

  1. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2004
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    1
    An email was forwarded to me showing a newspaper ad from Best Buy at Thanksgiving time with the Muslim holiday greeting "Happy Eid al-Adha" on it. However, they don't have "Merry Christmas" in ads at Christmas.

    I then googled this and found links on it, such as
    http://minnesotaindependent.com/505...r-best-buys-happy-eid-al-adha-wish-to-muslims


    You can see a good picture of the ad in this article:
    http://www.frugal-cafe.com/public_h...hristmas-in-after-thanksgiving-christmas-ads/

    I am neither supporting nor against the boycott, nor do I agree with all that is said in the articles. I am merely posting this for information and discussion.
     
  2. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    We live in a secular pluralistic society with many different cultures and faiths. This is just a way for a secular company to recognize a people. Islam is not the way to God. That is the Christian view. But they aren't less citizens or less people, they need Jesus.

    No big deal if Best Buy wants to market to them, Jews, Hindus, democrats, repubicans, etc.

    I do find it ironic that the "Free Republic forum" wants to limit speech. ;)
     
  3. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2002
    Messages:
    41,907
    Likes Received:
    1,469
    Faith:
    Baptist
    " Twin Cities–based Best Buy has responded to criticisms over an ad circular that wishes Muslims a happy Eid Al-Adhaby standing firm. “Best Buy’s customers and employees around the world represent a variety of faiths and denominations,” said Best Buy rep Lisa Svac Hawks. “We respect that diversity and choose to greet our customers and employees in ways that reflect their traditions.”

    Further, deflating a criticism repeatedly leveled by conservative activists, she said shoppers will see the word “Christmas” in holiday marketing: “Christmas will be included in our insert and online. We have ‘Merry Christmas’ on our gift cards, too. In addition. we have developed the Christmas Morning simulator as an online interactive game.” (That message doesn’t seem to be getting through: Many news outlets, including a Denver Fox affiliate, cover the story with rhetoric like, “‘Merry Christmas’ is off-limits, but ‘Happy Eid al-Adha’ is apparently okay.“)

    In another publication, Hawks said that, in addition to Eid wishes, “you will see greetings of Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa and Feliz Navidad in various Best Buy communications during the holiday season.” "

    - http://minnesotaindependent.com/50619/best-buy-stands-by-message-of-happy-eid-al-adha-ad
     
  4. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    Excellent perspective. The US is indeed a secular pluralistic society. Christians cannot expect a 'most favoured religion' status.
     
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2006
    Messages:
    11,103
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have no problem with a private business choosing to greet diverse groups.

    I also have no problem, if I think they are hostile toward Christians, taking my business elsewhere. (not that Best Buy is doing that...I honestly don't know)

    This, though? Much ado about nothing, IMO.

    When governments get sideways on this issue...that's when I perk up.
     
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yet in my area, Best Buy flyers have Santa, stockings, and a Christmas tree, and my local Best Buy has an audiovisual display which includes Santa on a sleigh saying "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!!"

    I personally don't care how Best Buy markets itself, so long as their pricing is good, and they treat me with respect whenever I go there (and they do, which is why I'm there more than my wallet can handle :eek:)
     
  7. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yet another tempest in a teapot.
     
  8. Martin

    Martin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2005
    Messages:
    5,229
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Personally, I don't see the big fuss. After all, Christmas is NOT a Biblical holiday (Rom 14:4-6). Anyway, I am opposed to the "shopping madness" that goes on around Christmas. I buy gifts, I think people should, but it has gotten way out of hand. If a clerk says Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Happy Hanukkah, I am polite and reply "you to".

    These people who get all upset and launch boycotts over this issue need to realize that there are really important issues that they are ignoring. Nobody is going to heaven because they say "Merry Christmas" nor is anyone going to hell because they say "Happy Holidays". However people are going to hell because they think they can get into heaven by being conservative, moral, or Republican. As Christians our concern should be reaching the lost with the Gospel and discipling the saved. Trying to make a lost and dying culture appear "Christian" is a waste of our time. It is, to pardon the pun, like putting lipstick on a pig.
     
  9. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    My feelings, too. Actually, I don't mind this specific greeting because at least we know where they stand--they are catering to the Muslims. If they specifically greet the Jews, Christians, etc. with their favorite holidays, at least they are showing equality to all the groups instead of just lumping them together under "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Winter."
     
  10. billwald

    billwald New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2000
    Messages:
    11,414
    Likes Received:
    2
    At least at Best Buy a price is a price, none of that mail in for a refund garbage.
     
  11. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2004
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    1
    I guess no one noticed that in 2006, Best Buy did not use the word "Christmas." So apparently they are using it now since maybe they are using the Muslim holiday greeting.

    And if they are going to mention the Muslim holiday, we should see Pagan greetings for the Winter Solstice included as well and not be concerned. Right?

    Why were Christians upset in '98 when it came out that US Army soldiers were practicing Wiccan rituals on Army bases? I was actually one of the people defending their right to do so.
     
  12. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Actually, the solstice is an astronomical event, as well as something celebrated by people for centuries.
     
  13. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's not how marketing works. CHristians, Jews, etc, ALREADY shop at Best Buy for the holidays. There's no need for a special marketing push to people who are already shopping at your store. OTOH, Muslims generally don't speand much money on Eid, so marketing to Muslims to get them to spend their money there makes sense.

    I swear, some of you folks need to take a basic Marketing 100 college course!
     
  14. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Didn't need it in Bible college and they didn't offer it.:tonofbricks:
     
  15. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2004
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    1
    Yes, but it is celebrated as a Pagan holiday. It's one of the 8 Pagan holidays.
     
  16. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2001
    Messages:
    21,321
    Likes Received:
    0
    I went to Bible College, and they offerred Marketing 101, 105, and 120. :wavey:
     
Loading...