This letter is in response to Mr. DuChateau’s article in The Courier-Herald dated December 15, 2009. Mr. DuChateau reminisces about his childhood Christmas memories that “blatantly pandered to the Christian faith” and states, “I was too young to realize how discriminatory, even offensive, this may have been to other faiths.”

Our nation was founded by Christians and is still predominantly Christian. That being the case, it is only reasonable that the celebration of a holiday with a Christian foundation – CHRISTmas – should be able to be celebrated with associated “Christian” symbols, songs and decorations without being perceived by non-Christians as discriminatory.

I would not expect to reside in or visit a predominantly Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, etc., country and not be exposed to the predominant religion and its associated holidays/celebrations. I would find it neither offensive nor discriminatory.

Just as I don’t expect other cultures/countries to hide or diminish their traditions or religions to keep from “discriminating” against me – I ask for the same treatment in our own country. I do not need to apologize for the celebrating of Christmas with its nativity scenes, Jesus-themed songs, or the very sentiment “Merry Christmas.”

I do agree with Mr. DuChateau that any religious intolerance is un-American. Excluding Christ from Christmas is intolerant to the Christians in America.

Babette Phillips

Enumclaw