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Best Buy Prints Muslim Holiday Greeting

Marcia

Marcia

Active Member
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
Allah forbid a major big box retailer send holiday wishes to members of one of the world’s largest religions. But that’s what Best Buy did, including a small message wishing Muslims a “Happy Eid al-Adha” in a circular. And now the Twin Cities-based retailer is facing a boycott by commenters at the rightwing Free Republic forum.

Best Buy, as we reporter earlier, was the target of a rightwing “War on Christmas” campaign in 2006 for not using the word “Christmas” in its holiday marketing, but this year, it’s been upgraded on the American Family Association’s list from anti-Christmas to merely “marginalizing” the Christian holiday.
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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.
 
preachinjesus

preachinjesus

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
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. ;)
 
KenH

KenH

Well-Known Member
" Twin Cities–based Best Buy has responded to criticisms over an ad circular that wishes Muslims a happy Eid Al-Adha — by 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
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
preachinjesus said:
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. ;)
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Excellent perspective. The US is indeed a secular pluralistic society. Christians cannot expect a 'most favoured religion' status.
 
R

rbell

Active Member
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.
 
J

Johnv

New Member
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:)
 
M

Martin

Active Member
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.
 
A

abcgrad94

Active Member
rbell said:
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.
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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."
 
Marcia

Marcia

Active Member
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.
 
M

Magnetic Poles

New Member
Marcia said:
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?
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Actually, the solstice is an astronomical event, as well as something celebrated by people for centuries.
 
J

Johnv

New Member
abcgrad94 said:
If they specifically greet the Jews, Christians, etc. with their favorite holidays...
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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!
 
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