What do you all think about the Non Merry Christmas thing stirring up? How people get offened so you have to say Happy Holidays?

I have no problem saying either one. The holiday is called Chirstmas so what's wrong with saying that just because the word Christ is in it? *sighs*

:)

Well, on one hand I agree with it, because not everyone celebrates Christmas and there are other holidays right at the same time like Hannukah and Kwanzaa, so saying "Happy Holidays" includes all holidays, not just Christmas.

On the other hand, I'm not Christian, but I don't mind someone saying "Merry Christmas" to me. We loosly celebrate Christmas but don't incorporate any religious aspects into it.

Has anyone seen that episode of South Park where all the parents protest the school having a Christmas Pageant so they have to make it non-denominational, and completely secular, and in the end all the kids are just wearing gray sweatsuits and dancing around to Phillip Glass music. Then all the parents are all "This sucks!!" then Mr.Garrison is all "Well, you wanted it that way!" then everyone gets in a big brawl.
I won't get in to the Mr.Hankey the Christmas Poo part.


No? :unsure: Well, it's a really good episode.

I don't care if they say "Happy Holidays", and in fact, I think I'd prefer it if they did.

First off, not everyone celebrates Christmas, I don't think that's a surprise to anyone. Are we supposed to include every holiday in our greeting, or would it rather be easier to say "Happy Holidays"?

By not saying "Merry Christmas", they aren't taking the Christ out of Christmas. They took Christ out of Christmas when they turned the holiday into a commercial event. And frankly, I don't need Wal-Mart to be a light to the world - that's my job. That's our job as Christians. Capitalism and corporate America don't need to deliver the message for us, and I think we would do well not to associate with that at all.

There was a letter to the editor of the New York Times that I think sums it up pretty well:

"What I don't get is why a Christian would want reference to this holy story plastered all over the yearly secular shopping extravaganza. Christmas is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of the son of God into the world. As the story goes, the surroundings were humble and simple.

This mystery is profound, and its sacredness is protected by keeping it out of the marketplace."

I won't go into the whole pagan-turned-into-Christian-celebration thing, but I don't see why saying "Merry Christmas" would offend anyone.
I don't see any Christians getting offended by other religions wishing them Happy Channukah or whatever, so I can't see what the problem is.
You don't see athiests being upset over someone wishing them a Merry Christmas... :dunno: so why other religions?!
Religion causes so much conflict... :tsk: There's no point in fighting over what the 'holidays', as you lot over the pond say :), are... It's a time when (supposedly) people are supposed to celebrate and be happy... all this political correctness is just ruining it!

i dont get why this is going on.. its odd that NOW after how man years we've been doing this, it just NOW goes on.. its strange... but then again i dont really care... its just a holiday where you get things. and then i dont go to church like everyday or whatever.. but yeah.. i just find it odd like i said.

yeah i dont watch South Park... so i've never seen it.

Actually, that's exactly what happens. And they've sued stores, schools, and government offices over it.

Also, I guess I can see why someone shopping for Chanukkah gifts might get miffed at the assumption that they celebrate Christmas :dunno:

I wish my Granddad was alive to tell him that one! He was athiest through and through... He'd never have got angry with someone if they were so kind as to wish him a Merry Christmas... Surely that's a nice thing to say, rather than an insult?
I just don't get what the fuss is about... :dunno:

Your grandfather was a good man. Amazing isn't it? A catholic sees the good in an atheist? Aren't we supposed to be enemies? :wacko:

That's the problem....... everyone is seeing the negative in things. Who cares what is said? I send cards that say happy holidays to those I don't know if they celebrate or if it's a more business type card. I send religious pictured CHristmas Cards (like the nativity scene)

I embrace everyone and their thoughts and ideas. They may not be my own, but I respect that I am just one person who has their own ideas.

I don't know why it has to be "us" or "them" all the time.

Okay, I am not religious.. not at all. But I do firmly believe in religious freedom. As long as people aren't telling me that I am going to fiddlesticks for not believing what they believe and such, there is no problem for me with people practicing their religion.

Christmas is a Christan holiday.. therefore most of the holiday stuff is geared towards that. If the government wants total seperation between church and state, and does not want "Merry Christmas" anywhere on government property, then you know.. I want my mail delevered on Christmas. I want Congress to be in session on Christmas. And I want all government employees to work on Christmas as well. Same goes for all of these stores that do not allow the word "Christmas" anywhere in fear of someone getting offended. Well, fine then. I want that store to be open on Christmas. I want the people in charge of these companies to work of Christmas as well.

I think that all religions should be allowed to express themselves. I know there was a huge debate in Florida about the city putting up a Manora (or however it is spelled), but they would not allow the city to put up a mangor scene. Why not allow both? Let people celebrate as they would like to..

I'm weird LOL!

I don't send out greeting cards at the holidays just because I don't want to offend anyone by the card. If they send me a card then they get one in return.

Religion is a big swing around my family. I've got an aunt who is Jewish, my grandparents are I dunno what! LOL! I don't think they believe there is any kind of god yet they go to 'church'. I've got another aunt who belives as my grandparents do. Then I've got another aunt who is a christian. Then I've got another aunt whom I have no idea what her beliefs are. :dunno:

Yet we all gather and celebrate Christmas to an extent. We go over there 'for Christmas' but no gifts are exchanged instead we just have a 'Bingo' and we 'win' prizes.

Then there's work. The boss is a Christian. I'm not sure what the other three are but I know the one doesn't believe in anything. Then there's the guy at work who is a Jehovah Witness. Which from my understanding they don't have any 'holiday' in which they celebrate. So we respect his religon at work and don't play Christmas music when he's working. We don't 'decorate' the restruant for christmas etc. We are all getting together to buy the boss a 'christmas gift' except its called a 'winter gift' so the guy can participate.

I just spent 'time' looking up this religion. They are not allowed to celebrate Christmas what so ever and if they do they can become disfellowshipped. So in this respect I can see where saying "Merry Christmas" would be offensive to their beliefs. With this topic brought up I'll ask this guy about this topic. He's very open about his religion and would share.

Like I said... "I'm weird" LOL! I don't 'greet' people with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" unless they say it to me. It's just "Have a good day" in my books just because there are so many religons out in this world.

All I have to say is people are way too uptight nowadays. And I'm not just saying that because I celebrate Christmas...I definitely wouldn't be mad if someone wished me a happy Ramdan or something.... :blink:

I don't really greet people with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" unless they are people that I know well. Sometimes I don't think about it. Sometimes I do and I just say "Happy Holidays" to cover them all. Sometimes I say Happy Christmahaunakwanzakah to peeve people off. :D

My mom's mother was jewish while her father
was christian. You never saw them fighting
over what to calll the holidays. They celebrated
both and were content in doing so. My dad's
family is pretty much toward the christian
side of things.

I really don't like how all the holidays have become
so commercial. Its not only christmas. You can
find cards, presents and the like no manner what
you celebrate.

When I was little we celebrated christmas.
We never celebrated any jewish holidays,
probably because my mother's mom died
before she was able to pass on the traditions. :(

I think there is a fine line between going around
preaching and saying merry christmas and the
like. I wouldn't appreciate it very much if someone
tried to push thier beliefs onto me.

But, in any case, I am not offended regardless of
whether someone says happy holidays or
happy __________ it really doesn't manner.
If someone was kind enough to say that to
you then you could at least try and be freindly.
I mean jeez people...lol...

-Marci :)

I totally agree with Nicole's statement. I can't believe that one of the atheist groups or some stupid Congressman hasn't jumped all over this yet...but ya know why they won't? Cuz they'd lose their time off from work...so they pick and choose *when* they want to fight for the separation.

I was raised Catholic. However, I've been saying Happy Holidays to people for probably 20+ years. Unless, of course I know the person celebrates Christmas. The Christmas/Holiday cards I send out every year are never religious in nature....they usually have a winter scene on them and wish people a "happy holiday season, blah blah"

I say to each his own...some people out there in the world need to find more important things to complain about...like getting the US to pull out of Iraq...but that's for another topic :)

Happy ChristmaHannuKwanzakah!!

Au contraire! He married a Catholic! :lol: We have a diverse background in our family! :D
As long as someone was polite, courteous and did nothing to upset my gran, my granddad was a happy man. :) And if someone had wished him a Happy Easter in the middle of winter, he couldn't have cared less... it's not what it's called that counts.
Religion and celebrating it is personal to everyone, so why can't the government (and I haven't seen much of it over here to be honest) stop making such a fuss about it. They have "In God We Trust" on the dollars... not "In [Insert Deity of Your Choice Here] We Trust"... Surely if they decide that all religions are involved in the US Government, then that statement should not be on Government issued money. :huh:

Oh and btw... totally agree Nichole! LOL :lol: I truly wish everything was open on Christmas... I always have mad cravings for the most strange food on Christmas... probably because all of the shops are shut, so it's impossible to get anything! :D

my holiday cards typically feature a pixture of the dogs on the cover with a happy holidays and new year inside not to fancy, .. i think i have got to get printing.. dang.. at any rate i care not what people celebrate, but they care so much about who offends who, they are breaking the right to free speach by not allowoing people to wish what ever holiday they celebrate..

gabby - I just have to say, I think you've got us all beat with your signature! :lol: That's a lot of bunnies :spice: :spice: :spice:

Well i can honestly say the political garbage on this has been running rampid in NY.. there have been celbrations cancelled here, school plays cancelled and fighting going on all over. there was recently a big to do about the lighting of a Christmas tree in the town near where i live.. they didnt want it to be religious.... ITS A CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!!! NOT A HOLIDAY TREE!!! OH MY GOD!!!!! if they are going to have the tree then let the preist do what he wants at the lighting!!! the same as hes done every year before...

what do i say about this topic?

GET OVER IT........ its rediculous.. I agree with Cinn.. why make a big deal of it now? Its been this way for YEARS! now this year they are making a stink about whats "right" to say... you say what you want to say.. and anyone who gets offended by hearing "Merry Christmas" just needs to get over it and concern themselves with something else...... The majority of this country celebrates Christmas and has for a very long time...... Deal with it.. just like we have in the past.



Happy ChristmaHannuKwanzakah!!!! (LOL i like that!)