Controversy surrounds a company e-mail sent out by Wal-Mart officials suggesting its employees say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

While the major retail giant has released a statement saying they meant no disrespect, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is calling for a customer boycott until a formal apology is made.

Wal-Mart spokesman Dan Fogleman says the e-mail, which describes Christmas as a combination of world traditions from Siberian shamanism to Visigoth calendars, has been taken out of context.

He adds that Wal-Mart encourages its employees to say "Happy Holidays" to be inclusive of celebrations from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's, as well as Christmas.