Focus on the Family doesn’t blame Obama for layoffs — yet

Lord save us.

News that Colorado Springs’ Focus on the Familiy is eliminating 202 jobs — the biggest single cut in the ministry’s history — naturally raised the question of whether Focus reps would lay the blame at Barack Obama’s door. After all, prior to the November 4 vote, Focus published a “Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America,” which imagined a country where the Boy Scouts ceased to exist and pornography would be openly displayed in every grocery store — read the remarkable document in our blog “Focus on the Family’s Nightmare Scenario About an Obama Victory.” And after Obama won, a Focus rep reassured true believers by noting that God had been able to accomplish his purpose through non-Christian rulers in the past; get details in the blog “Focus on the Family Implies that Obama is a Pagan.”

Yesterday, however, Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger blamed the economic downturn, not President-elect Nebuchadnezzar (er, Obama), for the revenue shortfall that led to the layoffs. Wouldn’t bet the farm on that remaining the case long-term — but in the meantime, the Focus minions who are still on the payroll are busily stoking the culture-war embers. The organization’s Action branch has created a “2008 Christmas Friendly Shopping Guide,” which rates retailers on whether they “embrace” Christmas or have “purged or marginalized” it. The piece also works for atheists, who’ll presumably be dropping a lot of coin at two operations with patriotic names: American Eagle and Old Navy. Heathens! Look for the list after the jump. — Michael Roberts

“Christmas-friendly” retailers — prominent acknowledgment of “Christmas”

Cabela’s
Crate&Barrel
Dillard’s
Eddie Bauer
JCPenney
Kohl’s L.L.Bean
Lands’ End
Linens ‘n Things
Lowe’s
Macy’s
Neiman Marcus Nordstrom
Pier 1 Imports
Sears
The Home Depot
Target
Wal-Mart

“Christmas-negligent” retailers — marginalized use of “Christmas”

Barnes & Noble
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
Borders
Circuit City Dick’s Sporting Goods
GAP
KB Toys
Kmart
Toys “R” Us

“Christmas-offensive” retailers — apparent abandonment of “Christmas”

American Eagle
Banana Republic
Bloomingdale’s
Lane Bryant
Old Navy