Texas Has A Law Protecting People Who Say “Merry Christmas”

It’s amazing that we actually need laws to protect free speech

So you can safely toss the generic holiday greetings out the door.

As students head into the final week before “winter break” and plan for their “winter parties” state lawmakers are reminding residents that they are free to use the greeting of their choice — “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy holidays,” if you must.

“Our teachers and students are able to celebrate the upcoming holiday season without fear of retribution or punishment,” said Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, who last year helped pass the Merry Christmas law.

The Legislature wanted to make sure that students can exchange traditional holiday greetings — and display Christmas trees, menorahs and Nativity scenes at school as long as more than one religion and a secular symbol are included — without fear of sparking a lawsuit.

The response from the ACLU is a hoot

“I think it’s stupid,” said Terri Burke, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Texas. “There is no ‘war on Christmas.’ There’s no need for this law.

More