Poll says most Americans OK with government Christmas displays
Dec 15, 2017, 2:32 PM
(Public Domain Photo)
(Public Domain Photo)
PHOENIX — A majority of Americans are fine with the idea of Christmas-themed displays on government property, though that number was shrinking.
A Pew Research Center poll released this week showed 66 percent of American adults support the displays, while 26 percent of respondents said they don’t think the decorations should be allowed.
Eight percent either did not give an answer or did not know their opinion.
There was a caveat, however: Of those that approve of Christmas scenes on government property, 29 percent said they should only be permitted if other religious symbols are also on display.
This year’s results were slightly different from three years ago, when 72 percent of people said they were fine with the displays, while 20 percent opposed them.
President Donald Trump has promised that people will start saying “Merry Christmas” instead of an alternative again during his time in office, but the Pew poll showed about half of Americans don’t care what kind of holiday greeting they get.
Thirty-two percent said they want people to specifically say “Merry Christmas,” while 15 percent said “happy holidays” or “season’s greetings” was more appropriate.
The shift in numbers could be attributed to the small reduction — down to 55 percent from 59 percent — in Americans who see Christmas as a strictly religious holiday.
A growing number of Americans said they view the day as more of a cultural holiday.
About 90 percent of America will celebrate Christmas in some form.
The difference in opinions on the holiday was split along party and age lines in the poll.
More Republicans than Democrats or independents said Christmas displays should be allowed on government property or that they prefer to hear “Merry Christmas” when doing their shopping.
Respondents born before 1964 said they see the holiday as more of a religious event, while younger respondents felt it was more cultural.
The poll of 1,503 adults was conducted between Nov. 29 and Dec. 4.
About three-quarters of respondents were interviewed on a cellphone.
