If you go to Google today, the clickable/mousable doodle redirects to a Google search for ‘Happy Holidays’.
This article asks a very good question: with everything else Google posts a doodle for, why can’t they post one for the holiday of a third of the planet’s population? (there’s evidence that many outside of that 2 billion celebrate it, too!)
I just feel profoundly disappointed. I usually root for Google. I love their products, and I love how they try to treat everyone with respect and dignity. But today, it feels like Google is saying ‘We love and celebrate everyone, as long as you aren’t a Christian.’ I’ll be honest; it stings a little bit.
I think this comment on Google’s web forum sums it up nicely:
“I don’t necessarily find ‘Happy Holidays’ as offensive as some people have stated, I do find it exceptionally disappointing. Google’s Google Doodles celebrate all faiths, races, cultures and nationalities. Inventor who changed the world? Mathematician who postulated a ground breaking theorem? Freedom fighter who led your people to liberation? You’re all celebrated, regardless of background, sometimes even commemorated FOR your background. But there is a sad lack of religious celebration, even though it’s such an integral part of our planet’s history and still greatly influences the world we live in.”
You can talk about, and celebrate, Buddha, Gandhi, and Muhammad. You can talk about Stalin, Marx, Putin, Mao, and Kim Jong-il. You all have freedom of speech. But don’t mention Jesus Christ; He is extremely offensive.
