The conscientious objectors in the 'War on Christmas'

The delightful message in that Christmas song (sung by Andy Williams and written by the same guy who helped compose the theme song to TV's "Gilligan's Island") assures us that "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

But the lyric about "Be of good cheer" didn't quite make it to everyone.

In its "frontline report" from "The War on Christmas," the bellicose folks at Liberty Counsel target the "enemies of Christmas" and publish a six-page list of "naughty" and "nice" businesses.

A "nice" store would be where the clerks greet someone buying all eight Hanukkah presents with a jolly "Merry Christmas." A naughty store would be where that same clerk joyfully wishes shoppers "Happy Holidays," which Liberty Counsel labels a blatant attempt "to kick Jesus out of His own birthday celebration!"

One person's holiday is another's Holy Day.

News that Naperville dodges a possible lawsuit by adding a menorah to the park district's Santa House display draws angry comments from some of our readers. That's still better than the vandalism done to a giant menorah in Libertyville. We argue about songs sung at school concerts and the religious significance of the Santa Claus image made famous by Coca-Cola. An old e-mail still makes its way around cyberspace complaining about a stamp in honor of Islamic holidays. And I wonder if my lack of a Diwali column in October offended anyone.

All of that stuff misses the reason for the season - the reason for all of the seasons.

"To bring people together," Matt Zaucha of Bolingbrook says by telephone as he, his wife and three kids return from the Golden Rule Sunday School of the Ethical Humanist Society, which meets in Skokie.

Having grown up in a Polish Catholic neighborhood of Chicago, Zaucha says the distracting religious squabbles that break out during this most wonderful time of the year aren't "indicative of everybody." Zaucha notes that Bolingbrook's official holiday display features a diverse number of celebrations all in one spot, not battling for supremacy. That diversity is something that drew the Zauchas to Bolingbrook, and fits with their ethical humanist view of "working together to solve problems that face the community."

The Ethical Humanist Society (www.ethicalhuman.org) display in Skokie wishes "Happy Holidays to All," and includes symbols for nearly a dozen religions. "Be Good For Goodness Sake," it advises.

"If that involves the Bible, the Torah, the Koran or whatever, that's fine," says Matt Cole, 65, president of the Ethical Humanist Society. "Our faith is in the goodness of people and the ability to solve problems and make this a better world. So in a lot of ways, we have faith."

Zaucha, 35, and his wife, Mithra, 34, met as students at the University of Chicago. While they will celebrate Persian New Year at the end of March in honor of Mithra's father's heritage, their house also sports two decorated trees this Christmas. Son Azal, 6, and daughters Roya, 4, and Mina, 2, will get presents from their parents, not Santa.

"It's not that we don't want to say 'Merry Christmas,'" explains Zaucha, who adds that he gladly welcomes such greetings in the spirit they are given. "We just want more than that."

Cole, whose ethical humanist wife also is a member of a Jewish congregation, hosted a Hanukkah party in his home Sunday night. Earlier, he experienced a little ethical humanist joy generally associated with Christmas.

"The kids had a winter festival, and the kids sang, 'Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer,' 'White Christmas,' and a couple of Hanukkah songs. It's a nice group."

While Zaucha and Cole both appreciate the message behind those "No God? No Problem" billboards that show up in some cities this time of year, they both favor approaches that are less likely to tick off people of faith. There are enough wedges trying to divide.

"We say it's the deed, not the creed, and we know that sounds corny, but to us it means something," Cole says. "We don't promote tribalism. We're against religions separating each other."

Not that we're all that separate.

"Every culture has a version of the Golden Rule," says Zaucha, who teaches physics at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. "We don't realize how similar we are. If we focus on that part instead of all the differences, it would be much easier."

Perhaps, even most wonderful.