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University Librarians Warn 'Merry Christmas' a Form of Christian Aggression Against Muslims

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A group of librarians at Simmons College in Massachusetts have published a new "anti-oppression" guideline, which claims Christians are Islamophobic if they say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Easter" to Muslims.

The guideline, called "Anti-oppression: Anti-Islamomisia," says discrimination against Muslims can take place in the form of micro-aggressions.

The library defines microaggresions as "commonplace verbal or behavioral indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults in relation to the beliefs and religious practices of Muslims."

These microagrressions include endorsing religious stereotypes, thinking Islamic clothes are "trendy," believing Muslims follow the "wrong" religion, or saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Easter" to Muslims.

The librarians also say Christians commit microagressions if they deny they're committing them, especially "if their words or behaviors may indicate otherwise."

While the guideline says "anyone with religious beliefs can have/exhibit religion-based prejudice," Christianity has "institutional power" in America and is therefore an "oppressive" system.

However, the guide also claims Christians suffer from fragility, "in which even a minimum amount of religious stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves."

"These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as tears, argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation," the guideline continues.

The librarians claim Christians display these "defensive moves" because they lack "skills for constructive engagement with difference"

Jason Wood, the deputy director of the Simmons College library, told Campus Reform the guide was created as a collaborative effort among all Simmons College librarians.

The library told CBN News the guideline is not a policy at Simmons College, but is simply an "introductory resource intended to provide general information about anti-oppression, diversity, and inclusion. It is by no means a complete guide to social justice issues, religions, conversations, or points of view. As an institution of higher education, Simmons encourages exploration of a variety of sources when seeking information on any topic."

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