A newspaper published in North Carolina has been accused of insensitivity after in ran an advertisement urging "all Christians to spend their hard-earned dollars with merchants who include the greeting 'Merry Christmas' in their holiday advertising promotions this Christmas." The full page advertisement was placed in the 'News & Observer' by the 'Upper Room Church of God in Christ' and began "Attention Christians! 96% of American consumers celebrate Christmas 5% celebrate Hanukkah, & 2% celebrate Kwanzaa." It went on to say, "Had It Not Been for Christ...There Would be No Christmas! Join us, and Called2Action, who pledge to keep Christ in Christmas. Wishing You a Merry Christmas." The paper responded to complaints by saying it considered the advertisement to be a message about the commercialization of Christmas, rather than targeting non-Christian groups.
