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The bill garnered support in the legislature, and even led to a companion bill being introduced in the Senate. And it doesn’t remain exclusive to Christmas — it also promotes the greeting of ‘Happy Hanukkah’ and allows displays of Christmas trees, nativity scenes and Menorahs.

Rep. Bohac told Fox Austin there are two pending lawsuits in Texas related to use of these greetings in schools. “Tales from Christmas Past,” submitted by apparently regular citizens and posted on the bill’s website, speak of oppression — of teachers being told they could be fired if they say ‘Merry Christmas’ to the kids or exchange cards or gifts at school. Others were discouraged from wearing red and green.

But are the threats of lawsuits really that strong? And is this really something Texas legislators ought to be spending their time on? Linda Bridges, president of the Texas branch of the American Federation of Teacher which opposed the bill, said there are bigger education issues at hand in their state than whether teachers and students can wish each other a ‘Merry Christmas.’

As far as I can tell, nobody has ever actually stopped saying ‘Merry Christmas’ because they’re afraid to get sued

“I think I can honestly say I’ve never had a question from a teacher about what they can and can’t do around holidays,” Ms. Bridges told Fox. “I think we really have to say does this help education when we are caught up in discussions that have become pure partisan discussions that is not the way we should be looking at education.”

Russell Glasser, co-host of the Austin public-access TV show The Atheist Experience was a bit more blunt in his assessment of the bill, calling it just one of many “idiotic little bills,” and, well, bull.

“As far as I can tell, nobody has ever actually stopped saying ‘Merry Christmas’ because they’re afraid to get sued,” he told The Raw Story. “Does anybody sue anyone for saying ‘Merry Christmas?’ Because I think that’s a bunch of bulls–t.”

Despite some opposition, it’s safe to say Gov. Perry will make haste to pass this billinto state law.

“This bill is about the freedom of religion, not freedom from religion, and Gov. Perry supports it,” his spokesperson Josh Havens told the Huffington Post.

The bill would take effect Dec. 1st.