So now, Christmas becomes the bogey no-no of the season. One wonders how an occasion that does not insult other races or religions but instead creates a feel-good effect of giving and sharing can be viewed by a few as being a chasm creator in our multiracial society.

Religion?

Surely not, for so many have correctly written in that Christmas the celebration is not akin to Christmas the religious occasion. The Jesuits do not appear from their chapels and force-convert the unbelievers.

Western culture?

Christmas might for all intents and purposes be a totally Western concoction, made to pander to the need for a year-end jump in sales in aid of earning enterprises.

So what? Your Nike shoes were made in some American lab, creating a demand for shoes that Malaysians work, steal, beg and rob to wear, when a good old Seng Tat flip-flop would have been good enough for sole protection.

Ban the Nikes perhaps, and force all shops to stock good ol' Seng Tats?

To the dear minister and to those politicians who have chosen to brazenly highlight the Malaysia Boleh patch on their gallant chests, the Mercedes that you bought and ride in was concocted in a European design house, an entire Western creation.

Ban all imported cars in favour of our Protons?

Let's face it, market forces must rule in a capitalist economy. If Christmas, the man-made behemoth of a marketing gimmick draws the sales, then it is only natural that outlets will aim to maximise profits during that season.

There is no hidden agenda, no movement to destabilise the racial harmony in the country. Those who choose to brand it a Western usurpation of our culture are nothing but hypocrites, politically bankrupt and devoid of anything constructive to donate to a Malaysian society that is fast degrading into an intolerant one.

As for those who choose to use this occasion to demand that all celebrations be given equal importance, it is frankly up to you and your fellow religionists to promote your own event and occasion.

The government gazettes the relevant religious and cultural occasions as holidays, and if your co-religionists are happy to celebrate along with others, invite others for the celebrations, then there is no reason why the celebration itself cannot be a national event.

Just because someone else does it better does not give you carte blanche to play the racial card and demand 'equal' treatment or better. Remember, the racial card works, but you too are a victim.

Christmas the celebration might be one large marketing hype, but I am perfectly happy to blow my hard-earned ringgit on it, if only because it affords me the feel good factor, of peace on earth and goodwill to men.

I may not celebrate it as a religious event, but I certainly celebrate it as an enjoyable event. Those who tell me I cannot do so because it causes racial intolerance should take a deep hard look into the mirror and think of the country they are leaving for their children and descendants.