Anyone who knows me knows I’m not an ultra-religious person and I definitely have never blogged about religion before. However, I’ve been noticing a trend lately regarding big brands, their holiday ads and the response these companies are getting from some of the public…and it’s really bugging me.

First, David Teicher blogged about how The American Family Association is asking consumers to boycott Gap Inc. and its brands (Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic) because Gap’s “Cheer Factory” campaign features a group of cheerleaders donning Gap apparel and calling out a bunch of different holidays that are celebrated this season — and not just Christmas. Which apparently means they’re censoring the word “Christmas”? (Check out David’s blog for that whole story.)

And then I read yesterday on TechCrunch that Best Buy has come under fire for mentioning both Thanksgiving and Eid Al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice, in its Black Friday ad. See it here:

It honestly took me a minute to even find said holiday reference…but a lot of other people apparently saw it right away.

Here’s an example of a comment in the Best Buy community regarding the above ad:

Among my major purchases from BB over the years were a plasma big screen, a fridge and a laptop. No more. In 2006 you discontinued the use of ‘ Merry Christmas’ in your “holiday” messages.

Yet one of your ad inserts wishes your customers a happy “Eid Al Aldha” ( a Muslim goat throat slitting festivity) . Clearly the liberal/ PC culture in your corporate offices is biased against Christians and traditional American values. So, in 2009 I discontinue Best Buy. Good riddance.

Hello A m a z o n

- A proud patriotic Christian American.

I’m sorry, but people need to get over it. Guess what? Christianity is not the only religion in the world and brands cannot be expected to neglect all other holidays just to make Christians happy! Give brands a break!

I’m Christian, I celebrate Christmas, and yet it doesn’t bother me at all that a brand gives well-wishes to someone who celebrates something else. In fact, I think it looks good that they acknowledge other holidays! America is a big melting pot of people, ethnicities, religions, etc. and companies can’t be expected to ignore everyone who isn’t Christian!

In fact — according to CNN, 75% of Americans call themselves Christian.  That means a whole 25% of people who might be watching these Gap ads and reading the Best Buy ads ARE NOT Christian. Do you really expect these big brands to outcast 25% of the population?!

Really, I don’t understand what people want brands to do. If someone doesn’t budge, there is NO possible way to make everyone happy! And I don’t think it’s the brands that need to budge!

What do you think? Do you agree with me? Disagree? If you disagree I’d love to hear what you think brands should do during the holiday season…let’s discuss!