Mark, a lot of people shop for a lot of holidays this time of year and not all of them are Christmas.

Gary, at no point in time did I suggest anything about you not saying whatever you feel like. Having employees disregard company policy and in turn project specific religions on the masses just sounds like a bad idea for that employee.

Normally I wouldn't get into a debate about my specific religion, but you asked an honest question so I will give an honest answer. I was baptized Roman Catholic but have not been practicing since I was old enough to make that decision for myself.

I love some parts of organized religion. The parts the make people happy or lighten their hearts. The parts that cultivate positive human qualities such as generosity and love. I equally loathe the amount of violence, intolerance, materialism and general disdain for science that religions sometimes encourage. Bigots hiding behind bibles will find no friend in me.

My grandfather always said "All those people want is your money". I found that to be true in a lot of cases and I was never one to argue with a WWII veteran.

So as usual I will show up at the holiday festivities and enjoy time well spent with people I care about while they celebrate the birth of Jesus without a mention of his name and I would speculate without a thought about him at all.

Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays. For a month out of the year people care just a bit more about each other and that in itself is worth celebrating.