Do think "Merry Christmas" is offensive?

[GoingNova]

The "Holidays" are here, but let's present the facts: Christmas is a Federal holiday. Do you think if you say "Merry Christmas" to a Jewish, Muslim, or Athesist person, they really have anything to be "offended" about?

[MrsD]

In as much as I say and have said "Merry Christmas" to people, I do think it's a bit short sighted to assume that everyone would welcome that greeting. I have Jewish friends who just accept it gracefully and return the sentiment, but I always feel bad about it. We are becoming more and more diverse as a nation, and as hard as it may be for some of us out there these days, we need to accept and embrace those around us of differing faiths and beliefs.

[GoingNova]

Yes, BUT, it is a Federally recognized holiday. Do you feel "offended" when someone wishes you "Happy Martin Luther King Day"? Do you get "offended" if someone says to you, "Happy Kwznza"? If one of your Jewish friends said "Happy Hanukkah" to you, would you be offended? Christmas is much more UNIVERSAL then any of those Holidays, yet only Christmas is being attacked by the PC Police. I say, MERRY CHRISTMAS! If that offends you, then you have a problem, and you need to see a shrink! :D

Of course, no offense to you Mrsd! I was wondering if we would EVER disagree! Well, except for the Shatner song! :laughing3

[Angry White Man]

As Nova pointed out, its a FEDERALLY APPROVED HOLIDAY! Saying Merry Christmas is no different than saying Happy 4th of July, Happy Presidents Day, or Happy Marting Luther King Day! If you get offended by it, then too bad for you! You need to get a life!

[MrsD]

Oh, m'GOSH!! Have you guys ever heard of "politically correct"? I'm trying to expand my universal grasp on the world here! :laughing3 I was recently berated to the point of tears by a friend of mine after I went a bit nuts because I had heard that the United States Postal Service was going to issue stamps commemorating a Muslim holiday. I almost had a hissy fit over that one, but after listening for a while to her, I started thinking that maybe I should broaden my horizons. I don't often get offended by things like that, and I certainly would not be offended if one of my African American friends greeted my with "Happy Kwanza" in the least. I'd feel happy for them that they were enjoying their Holiday and included me in their celebration. I guess I responded to the question inappropriately - no; I do not feel that saying "Merry Christmas" to someone should lead to their being offended in any way. I still prefer "Happy Holidays".

P.S. - The Shatner song is going to take a while to grow on me, Nova. PLEASE don't tell me you're into Yanni or the Pan Flute guy!!!! I'd really have to draw the line there!:p

[Angry White Man]

He he he. My tirade was not directed at you Mrsd. :) It is directed to the people who make you feel awkward saying "Merry Christmas!"

;)

Oh, Political Correctness? I DESPISE IT! Call a spade a spade! The lion does not feel bad for the zebra it is about to eat. That is just how the world is. Political Correctness in my opinion, is the disease that will eventurally bring us all down. :mad:

[MrsD]

I often times relate "politcal correctness" to what was once called the "Women's Movement". I always resented the title of "Ms." over "Miss" or "Mrs.", and the thought that I may not have had a choice of titles. "Ms" always reminded me of "menstrual symptoms", and just grosses me out.... I really like the lion and zebra thing you have going there!

[Damm]

I don't care what peope wish me. I don't believe in god, so if they wish me a happy hanukkah, or a miserable ramadan, I'm just as not offended as if someone wishes me a merry christmas.

I use happy holidays myself, again, because I don't celebrate christmas in the traditional sense. And "happy holidays" is shorter than "Happy gift-giving day" which I do celebrate because I like to give people presents. If someone says "Merry Christmas to me" I return with "merry christmas" and likewise if they say "happy hanukkah."

[ANGLOIRISH]

I say Merry Christmas and I say it proudly. There are blacks in the area so I have never had the opportunity to say "Happy Kwanzaa". I do say "Happy Hanukkah" when I run into certain people that I know are Jewish.
As for mrsd. and women's lib. I think "Ms" is rather nice. My reason for that is that some people would rather be a "Ms" than a "Miss" or a "Mrs". Kate is offended if she is addressed as "Mrs" or "Miss". and I know she is not a women's libber. She is actually more of a chauvinist than I am! LOL

[spunkey monkey]

lol i dont really care if someone calls me mrs ms or miss, i usually get miss because i look young, the one thing i hate is when people call me mam, i dont know why but when some one says excuse me mam i just cringe

[Moderate One]

We should get all the "religious" holidays off. I would be happy to say Happy Three Kings Day, Happy Kwanzaa, etc.

Goingnova is right that its a federal recognized holiday and expressing Merry Christmas is similiar saying Happy Independence Day, Happy New Year, etc. Although I am not sure you would actually say Happy Martin Luther King's Day.

This happened to be a country founded by Christian settlers. So there will be some Christian symbolism and concepts within our government. To think the country is a completely neutral on religion is denying the truth. We are accepting more and more of the other religious beliefs into our culture but its still fundamentally a Christian conceived country.

[Sicander]

I will wish everyone I want to "Merry Christmas" and in turn if they want to say Happy Quaza to me, then more power too them. I don't care what religion you practice, I am christian and I will celebrate christmas and I will wish anyone I want to a merry christmas and if they dont like it then too bad.

This is yet another example of the minority defining the rules. The VAST majority of people in America celebrate Christmas. I would imagine the amount of people that celebrate christmas compared to other celebrations is hugely massively biggly huge. So sorry, I'm not going to cater to monority's sencibilities here. Personally I make it a point to avoid stores at Christmas time with the "Happy Holidays" signs up. And try to shop exclusivly at stores with Christmas signs. Heck if somone had a Chahnuka (I think I spelled that right) sign up I would have no problem shopping there too, at least they arent placating someones fealings.

Last I checked there is know right granted to not have your fealings hurt. By saying Merry Christmas we are not saying, "and screw all the other religions"

I have worked in retail and customer service all my life and have always said merry Christmas and not one time has anyone ever shown offence to it.

This is just another example of the PC crowd telling us what should be offencive regardless of wheather or not anyone actualy does find it offencive.

One time I said Merry Christmas to somenone and they responded with a reference to a celebration I had never heard of. I asked them what it was and it was a learning experience. (Though I have completely forgotten what it was at this point, it was about 5 years ago)

[GoingNova]

I don't care for Kwanza.

The Truth about Kwanza (http://www.jewishworldreview.com/tony/kwanzaa.truth1.asp)

[MrsD]

Life is too short to not express your joy - Holidays, birthdays, get-togethers, "Desperate Housewives Night" - I'm with Sicander. Screw anyone who disapproves of the Holidays and occassions you celebrate (as long as no one gets hurt...). MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!! HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!

[ANGLOIRISH]

Back at ya' Mrsd.

[ScarlettO]

It's never going to be easy to NOT offend someone sometime - a little Dean Martin, please? How's about "Have a Happy"? That covers it, huh?

[smo1704]

I really don't care what people wish me, but when wishing others a happy holiday (be it what it may) I try to be as accurate as possible. I am, after all, wishing THEM a happy holiday, not me, and as such my beliefs are irrelevant in the matter. If I know that the individual is Christian I use "Merry Christmas," if I know the individual is Jewish I use "Happy Hanukkah," and so on. If I have some evidence I go with my best guess. For instance, if I were to go to the mall and see people Christmas shopping then I would use "Merry Christmas" as this is most likely correct. If I don't know, and have no evidence on which to make a guess, I use "Happy Holidays," as this works in all cases.

[ski2bfree]

"Federal Holiday?" You gotta be ****in kidding me.

[ANGLOIRISH]

"Federal Holiday?" You gotta be ****in kidding me.
Your point?

[MrsD]

I do believe it IS a Federal Holiday. Isn't it?

[ANGLOIRISH]

It is in Canada. Statutory holiday! Paid holiday! Whatever!

[MrsD]

I'm sure it is in the US as well.

[Brainfreeze]

yup, military gets it off also..kinda

[Sicander]

This thing is, that christmas happens on the 25th. The other holdays do not. If its Chaunuka and I actually remember it is, and somone with a yamika walks in I am going to wish them a happy Chanuka. The thing is, whenever I have done that, their response is almost always, "Oh your Jewish?"

NO! IM NOT! Sorry, but this is my proof. When you wish somone a happy whatever they assume you are part of the religion that celebrates it. Also, with the exeption of the example above it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to tell what religion somone is just be looking at them.

If I say marry Chistmas to somone and they say "Oh, Im jewish." I have no problem saying "Sorry, Happy Chanuka"

I will wish them happy whatever holiday they want, but I will not wish them "Happy emalgimated non speceifc winter religous celebration" Actually.... I should do that just to see the look on somones face.

I just don't get it, the solution to not being able to wish everyone whatever holiday the celebrate is to not pick any holiday at all? "It the absence of being able to represent everyone we represent no one", its the motto of the PC crowd. And I dont much care for it. Since when is wishing somone a Merry Christmas an insult to thier Religion? Did I say, "Marry Christmas and if your a Jew you can bite me!" NO I just said "Merry Christmas" Like I said, in all my years of working retail I have ALWAYS said mary Christmas and the only one ever offended by it was the Manager who told me I had to wish them "Happy Holidays" or somone might get offended. I think he was more offended by the fact that no one was offended. I kind of rubbed it in his face... alot. But I was seasonal so I didnt get a rats arse if he fired me. (He never did though)

[firegurl18]

WOW. Well, personally for me it's Merry Christmas to everyone I see. If they corrected me I would say sorry and go about my way. That hasn't happened to me tho. so.. yeah. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

[SISTER_KATE]

Definately it is MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

[GoingNova]

"Federal Holiday?" You gotta be ****in kidding me.

What is your point is a very good question. It is a federal holiday recognized by the United States of America. The government in the United States of America does not conduct business on federal holidays. There is no mail delivery, banks are closed, schools are closed, most restaurants and stores are closed. I am sorry, but it is my contention that any person getting offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" in a country where it is a federally recognized holiday has a problem, not the person saying Merry Christmas, and I find your reply, in it's current form, a very weak objection to my position.

[Brainfreeze]

I dont celebrate christmas in it's normal form but I take no offense to people saying it to me.

Christmas to me is a time to get tougether with my family and friends and reflect over the past year..I would say thats what new years is for but i'm usually to drunk to do much reflecting.

[Rascal]

Ok, holy wow. The whole "it's a federal holiday so i should be able to say it to everyone" argument is getting to me. It wasn't a federal holiday first, it is a religious holiday, completely different from Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Independance Day and all of them. COMPLETELY. So I discount this argument right away.

Now, having said that, I don't understand people that get upset by Merry Christmas. I couldn't care less what you say to me. My mom is Jewish, my dad Christian, I celebrate it all. If you say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa to me I take it as "Have a happy whatever holiday you celebrate, I myself celebrate <insert religious holiday here>". I will usually wait for a stranger to wish me whatever they want and then reciprocate. For my friends and family I wish them a happy whatever fits their religion.

For stores, I can understand why they say Happy Holidays and this should not offend anyone and it mystifies me how it does. This is a holiday season in which many cultures have some sort of holiday happening. Fine, most of the population is celebrating Christmas, but some aren't and how can you be dismissive of them? What impact does it have on you if a store says "Happy Holidays" and tries to be inclusive? For businesses it is a purely business decision, they don't want to take the chance of losing a customer. What blows my mind is this. I heard that a group of Christian activists told Walmart they would boycott if they didn't include "Merry Christmas" on more of their advertisements (there was something about an email or some other nonsense, but that's the basic idea). So Walmart gives in and says they will put Merry Christmas more prominantly around their store. But then won't this only drive other religious groups to also say they will boycott because there is too much "Merry Christmas"?

Oh, and I can't vote in the poll 'cuz none of the choices apply to me. I'd say "No"...but not 'cuz it's a federal holiday, but just because I don't find it offensive.

[GoingNova]

Ok, holy wow. The whole "it's a federal holiday so i should be able to say it to everyone" argument is getting to me. It wasn't a federal holiday first, it is a religious holiday, completely different from Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Independance Day and all of them. COMPLETELY. So I discount this argument right away.

Your back! And we disagree! What a shocker! ;)

You can not simply discount the fact that it is a federal holiday! :laughing7 Sorry, but you can't. It does not matter it's origins, it is still a federal holiday, and people getting offended by someone wishing them a "Merry Federal Holiday" have a problem.

[Rascal]

I'm not discounting that it's a federal holiday, but you aren't saying it to people in terms of a federal holiday. When you say Merry Christmas you imply that they will be partaking of the celebration of Christmas, not just taking the day off of work or school or whatnot. It's in that way that this holiday is different than other federal holidays. So there is an implicit assumption that they are of a faith and that they celebrate will celebrate Christmas. There is not that same assumption with Independance Day etc. I can't equate them in any way, sorry. The religious meaning behind the holiday is inseparable from it, regardless of whether it is federally accepted or not. Now if you actually said, "Merry Christmas...and by that I don't mean the celebration of the holiday of Christmas, but I'm wishing you a happy day off of work", well then fine, you are making it clear what you are saying, otherwise the assumption is the religious holiday.

[Brainfreeze]

Happy KwanaChristmaKa!

[ANGLOIRISH]

I am a Christmas traditionalist so I will not relinquish my right to say "Merry Christmas" for anyone. No group or fanatical secularists can make me bow to their demands.

[ANGLOIRISH]

Christmas was declared a Federal Holiday on June 26, 1870 under the government headed by President Ulysses S. Grant.

[GoingNova]

I'm not discounting that it's a federal holiday, but you aren't saying it to people in terms of a federal holiday. When you say Merry Christmas you imply that they will be partaking of the celebration of Christmas, not just taking the day off of work or school or whatnot. It's in that way that this holiday is different than other federal holidays. So there is an implicit assumption that they are of a faith and that they celebrate will celebrate Christmas. There is not that same assumption with Independance Day etc. I can't equate them in any way, sorry. The religious meaning behind the holiday is inseparable from it, regardless of whether it is federally accepted or not. Now if you actually said, "Merry Christmas...and by that I don't mean the celebration of the holiday of Christmas, but I'm wishing you a happy day off of work", well then fine, you are making it clear what you are saying, otherwise the assumption is the religious holiday.

Ahhh, now you are playing mind police! :D You are assuming, and, well, we all know what happens when you assume!

[ANGLOIRISH]

It is a religious holiday for Christians; after all, it is the day set aside to observe the birth of Christ. (although He wasn't actually born on December 25.) I have never heard a Christian complain about Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever the Muslims observe so I don't understand the big fuss over Christmas.

[smo1704]

It is a religious holiday for Christians; after all, it is the day set aside to observe the birth of Christ. (although He wasn't actually born on December 25.) I have never heard a Christian complain about Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever the Muslims observe so I don't understand the big fuss over Christmas.
The concern here is that a federal holiday is set aside for Christmas, but not for the holidays of other religions such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc, despite the fact that there are practitioners of other religions in the U.S.

However, on a more practical note:
Trying to give breaks for every religious holiday in the month of December would result in getting nearly the entire month off, as well as some of January. Pretty much every early agrarian society has had some sort of festival around this time because in those societies the harvest was done, and there was nothing to do except wait and be cold for the next couple months. It was natural for them to celebrate the point in time after which the day (in terms of sunlight) would get longer. In addition both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa (as well as many pagan solstice celebrations) are several days long, and I doubt people would be willing to go without federal services like mail delivery for weeks.

[MrsD]

OK - let's deal with the "Holiday" thing as if none of us had an affiliation to anything. MOST people get Christmas off from work AND as a paid Holiday. It's just that way in your benefits package. I'm not black. Martin Luther King Day is a paid Holiday for Federal and Government employees. I have many black friends who get the day off as well. Good for them and so be it. Dr. King was a wonderful man and brought enlightenment and honor to many. POINT - How many Federal postal and governmnt employees are black or of black decent? How many federal of govenment employees who get that day off paid give a rat's ass about MLK??? Let's face it - probably none. Let's talk about Veteran's Day. Federal, Government and Postal employees as well as Bankers have that day off, paid. How many of THEM have served in the Armed Forces? How many have seen BATTLE??!!?? I'd wager not many. Verterans of wars for YEARS, my Dad included, have never had Veteran's Day as a paid Holiday. What about President's Day? How many teachers around the country have that day off? Don't the rest of us deserve to celebrate our Presidents?? No - teachers have that day built into their contracts. Must be alomg the same lines as where they don't pay for their health benefits either.

[Rascal]

Ahhh, now you are playing mind police! :D You are assuming, and, well, we all know what happens when you assume!

So...was I wrong? And really think about it, don't just give a knee-jerk reaction like "Of course I'm respectful of them!" I know personally that when I say Merry Christmas I'm meaning that I hope they have a fun time at their family dinner or lunch or get together and have a good time opening presents and in general should have a good time celebrating the religious holiday. The same goes for when I wish someone a Happy Hanukkah. If you really, honestly do mean when you say Merry Christmas that you are wishing them a happy day off work then I'm sorry...but for 99.99999% of the population I think my assumption holds true. And this is all based around the fact that it is a religious holiday.

As for you mrsd! Don't think you can get away so easily lol. All those holidays are again not based in religion. I for one know that when I'm working and have a day off coming off for a holiday, 90% of the time I have no clue what the day off is for, I just know I don't have to work. Those are all holidays set aside to honour past achievements and individuals that have made a glorious contribution to the US and more often than not people are just happy to have a long weekend. When you say "Happy Veteran's Day!" are you actually meaning that they have a good time with the celebration of Veteran's Day that is oh so very common? Or are you just hoping that they have a good day and the day just happens to have a name? I wager on the latter, and therein lies the difference. The religious roots of Christmas are what make the wishing of a happy one different than the other federal holidays.

And say what you will, but there are implicit assumptions made when you say Merry Christmas, if not by you than by the person hearing it because of the religious nature of the holiday.

[ANGLOIRISH]

I have never realized how simple minded people can be over this whole Christmas scene. It has been a Federal holiday for over one hundred years. If you don't like work! No one is stopping you. There are certain places open on Christmas day. If you are so anti-Christmas and work at one of those places let one of the other staffers enjoy the day with their family while you bah humbug at work. And don't except the time and a half or double time pay because then you would have to acknowledge that God forbid there is a Christmas and the majority of the world is enjoying it.

Seculars make me sick with all their moaning and groaning about Christmas. It is an acceptable fact that Christmas is December 25 each and every year. Live with it! And stop trying to rain on our parade. It would be a different tune if we Christians were saying No to Hanukkah, No to Kwanzaa. But we are not. We have Christmas and there is no one on this planet big enough to take it away. So grin and bare it because it is here and it isn't going anywhere. No whiny little fools who have nothing but time on their hands are going to change it. It would suit them better to get a life!

[Brainfreeze]

Actually there are two federal holidays for Christians, those being Christmas and Easter.

"It would be a different tune if we Christians were saying No to Hanukkah, No to Kwanzaa. But we are not. We have Christmas and there is no one on this planet big enough to take it away." - Irish

I guess that would be because there isnt a federal holiday for Hanukkah or for Kwanzaa though if there were I could see the Christians doing the exact same thing if not worse.

Your approch at this time Irish is that might makes right.

[bob_gray]

Actually there are two federal holidays for Christians, those being Christmas and Easter.

Actually, Easter falls on a Sunday, it is not a federal holiday in any country any more than any other Sunday.

[ANGLOIRISH]

If I am not mistaken Good Friday is a paid Federal Holiday. I know that the stores are closed at that time and the government workers have the day off.

[Sicander]

Actually there are two federal holidays for Christians, those being Christmas and Easter.

"It would be a different tune if we Christians were saying No to Hanukkah, No to Kwanzaa. But we are not. We have Christmas and there is no one on this planet big enough to take it away." - Irish

I guess that would be because there isnt a federal holiday for Hanukkah or for Kwanzaa though if there were I could see the Christians doing the exact same thing if not worse.

Your approch at this time Irish is that might makes right.
You can see christians demanding that we not say happy Chaunukka? Im a christian and I have no problem with that. Did you know that it isn't actually a religeous holiday? Its actually a racial holiday. If I am not mistaken it celebrates a battle with the Macabes, or somthing like that. I should probably look it up again but no time now. I would not be against it becoming a federal holiday however there is just some SERIOUS logistical problems with it. One being that it is 8 days long (Or rather Nights) I need to go to the post office and DMV and the last thing we need is for DMVs to be closed 8 more days out of the year. Also it is not a holiday that has any sort of connection with our country. (I know the same argument can be made for Christmas, thats not the issue I am bringing up, if you want to talk about why Christmas should not be a federal holiday be my guest but I am not going to argue with you) It is a holiday for the Jewish people. Did you know that non religeous Jews celebrate it? Did you know that Christian Jews celebrate it? It is a holiday for the race, not the religion. It would make sence for it to be a federal holiday in Isreal, but making it one here would just cause to many problems. We have too many Federal holidays already.

Why not make the season of lent a federal holiday? There is enough major racial and religious holidays out there to close down banks, DMVs and post offices for half the year. We dont need that.

Anyway back on the topic at hand. Why do you think Christians would put up a stink if Chaunuka was made a federal holiday? As I just said, there are a good amount of Christians who celebrate it. In Seattle I have attened on multiple occations a Jewish Christian church. (Amazing ceremonies by the way) They are Christians and they celebrate Chanukka and Christmas. I dont think they would have ANY issues with it.

I for one, celebrate Groundhogs day. I love it. Its my favorite holiday, its just so freaking pointless you cant help but laugh. One of these days I am finnaly going to get to go to Punksetauny and kick it in style where people actually celebrate Groudhogs day. Do you think anyone would be offended if I said happy groundhogs day? It is just as religiously based as Chaunuka.

[bob_gray]

If I am not mistaken Good Friday is a paid Federal Holiday.

It isn't in the US. Here is a list of US federal holidays

http://www.opm.gov/fedhol/2005.asp

It is in Canada:

http://www.journeymart.com/tools/country/ctryCanada.htm

I looked up Mexico too because they have a lot of catholics and they get Thursday and Friday off. I bet Good Friday is pretty common in Christian countries.

[bob_gray]

Its actually a racial holiday. Are you saying that the label "Jew" is racial and not religious?

[ANGLOIRISH]

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, or as it is also known, the Feast of Dedication, is an eight-day festival which usually falls close to Christmas. It celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in around 165 BCE, after the Jewish military victory over the occupying force of Antiochus Epiphanies.

Hanukkah is a celebration of God's faithfulness, demonstrated by the strength He imparts to the Jewish people, enabling us to survive and to triumph over staggering odds time and time again. It reminds us that we are, after all, a pilgrim people - never as completely at home in this world as we will be in the World to Come.

Not only that, the symbolism of the cleansed and rededicated Temple, with the Eternal Light of God's presence burning once more brightly within, points to another Light that was shortly to come into the world. It is Yeshua, Jesus, who would be a light to the Jewish people and to the whole world.

http://www.chosen-people.com/docs/Curious/AboutUs2/Articles/Shepherd/Hanukkah.html (http://www.chosen-people.com/docs/Curious/AboutUs2/Articles/Shepherd/Hanukkah.html)



It is not the Jewish people who are causing a problem with the celebration and observance of Christmas. It is the atheists and other left wing secularists who can’t find anything better to do on the holidays since they have no religious beliefs or religious holidays to observe.

I suppose they feel slighted that the rest of the world is enjoying a renewal of its faith. Feeling ever the outcasts they will try most anything to be noticed. All the wailing and gnashing of teeth is apparently backfiring, however, as the majority of the citizens have decided that a Holiday tree will now be called what it really is a “Christmas Tree”. And store owners are scrambling to display “Merry Christmas” signs in their advertising.

If the secularists and atheists want to feel miserable at Christmas, so be it. If they don’t want to set aside their false “pride” for one day and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, I am definitely not going to cry in my egg nog about it. You don’t have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa; you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy Christmas with your neighbors, and you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Hanukkah. In recent years an amalgam of Christmas and Hanukkah, dubbed Chrismukkah, has emerged. The new holiday started monist mixed Christian and Jewish families as a way to celebrate both holidays simultaneously.

Perhaps the atheists and secularists should reside in gated communities so they can wallow in self-pity in private among their own kind and spare the rest of us their disrespect during the Christmas season. They have the nerve to say we should be tolerant of them and respect their right to be non-believers. I ask you where is their tolerance of believers. Just who are the ones not showing tolerance? I believe the Christians and the Jews have been more than tolerant but there comes a point when enough is enough. That point has been reached and all over the United States and Canada our Christmas tradition is being reclaimed.:thumbsup:

[smo1704]

It is not the Jewish people who are causing a problem with the celebration and observance of Christmas. It is the atheists and other left wing secularists who can’t find anything better to do on the holidays since they have no religious beliefs or religious holidays to observe.

I suppose they feel slighted that the rest of the world is enjoying a renewal of its faith. Feeling ever the outcasts they will try most anything to be noticed. All the wailing and gnashing of teeth is apparently backfiring, however, as the majority of the citizens have decided that a Holiday tree will now be called what it really is a “Christmas Tree”. And store owners are scrambling to display “Merry Christmas” signs in their advertising.

If the secularists and atheists want to feel miserable at Christmas, so be it. If they don’t want to set aside their false “pride” for one day and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, I am definitely not going to cry in my egg nog about it. You don’t have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa; you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy Christmas with your neighbors, and you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Hanukkah. In recent years an amalgam of Christmas and Hanukkah, dubbed Chrismukkah, has emerged. The new holiday started monist mixed Christian and Jewish families as a way to celebrate both holidays simultaneously.

Perhaps the atheists and secularists should reside in gated communities so they can wallow in self-pity in private among their own kind and spare the rest of us their disrespect during the Christmas season. They have the nerve to say we should be tolerant of them and respect their right to be non-believers. I ask you where is their tolerance of believers. Just who are the ones not showing tolerance? I believe the Christians and the Jews have been more than tolerant but there comes a point when enough is enough. That point has been reached and all over the United States and Canada our Christmas tradition is being reclaimed.:thumbsup:

I have no problem with any religion celebrating its holy days, be it Christianity and Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, etc., Judaism and Passover, Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, etc. or any other religion (the listing would be much too long and involved). However I think it unconstitutional for Christmas, which is a religious rather than national holiday, to be declared a federal holiday. Federal employees who wish to take the day off for Christmas should be permitted to, and if this means that there won't be enough people to do the necessary work at, say, the post office, and it must shut down, so be it. I have no desire to see Christmas cease to exist, as even from a purely statistical standpoint it is beneficial (massive holiday sales). However I think that government and religion should be completely separate, and as such I must protest the federal holiday status Christmas was granted. If you'll note, there has been no such debate regarding any other religious holiday, and that is because this is the only one that has been declared a federal holiday (at least for me, others may have their own reasons).

[Sicander]

Are you saying that the label "Jew" is racial and not religious?

Nope, its both. But the holiday is not really a part of the religion. As I have said, there are Jews who do not practice the Jewish religion. In fact there are a good number of Jews who practice other religions, including Christianity. The term Jew has lately been taken more and more as a religious term but it is not neccisarily the case. You are born a Jew, you aren't born religious. The racial term Jew reffers to somone who can trace thier roots back to the original 12 tribes or at least far enough back that it isnt in doubt. But being a Jew is different, the say, being American or French. It is not about nationality or religion but heritage.

The Holiday of Chaunukka is not as conected with the practice of thier religion then it is the history of thier people.

Christmas is inexorably tied to Christianity. It is very much part of the religion. It is not celebrated by a race of people but by a group of people linked only by an ideal and a creed.

Basically what I am saying is any educated Christian would have no problem with the celebration of Chaunukka as there are quite a few Jewish Christians who celebrate it.

My issue with saying happy holidays is that it is pointless. No one I have met has ever been offended when I said it to them, exept the people who have no right whatsoever being offended by it. If you have a Christmas tree in your living room you have no right to be offended by somone wishing you a merry Christmas. If you have a minora it might be understandable. But as I said, the only people that I have seen offended in my saying it, in all the years I have worked retail are the over-sesitive, PC managers I have had. Managers who happened to have Christmas trees in thier living rooms.

Its another example of the PC crowd telling us what should be offencive when in reality it isn't.

Tell me? When you wish somone a Merry Christmas, is it an act of agression, an atempt at insult, or a polite gesture of freindship? What matters is not the words but the meaning behind them.

For me to say, "Merry Christmas" is a polite, kind hearted way of saying goodbye this time of year. Though I usually wont start saying it until the first week before Christmas. For me to say "Happy Holidays" would be a feeble attempt to placate the sesitivities of others. I would rather just be nice and spread Christmas cheer then be a tightly wound PC monger.

If you dont like my Christmas cheer, tell me, I will stop.

On a related note, no matter how much the PC crowd might make you want to beleive it there is no right granted, whatsoever, to not be offended. No one is violating your civil liberties by offending you. It is not illeagal in any way shape or form. If that offence takes the form of an illegal action, it is that action that is punishable NOT the offence. You can use racial slurs, you can swear, you can call anyone, whatever you want. You might lose you job for it, but your not going to jail. People are offended every day, and the world moves on.

[bob_gray]

As I have said, there are Jews who do not practice the Jewish religion. I didn't see where you had said that but thanks for clearing that up. You learn something new every day.
Christmas is inexorably tied to Christianity. I see it the other way, Christianity is inexorably tied to Christmas. More on this to come.
If you have a Christmas tree in your living room you have no right to be offended by somone wishing you a merry Christmas. I think a good case could be made that this is should be true even if you don't put up a tree. I think that in spite of containing the word "Christ" in the name Christmas has become just as much a secular holiday in the western hemisphere as it is a Christian one. For example people from almost all religions exchange gifts and have family meals on Christmas. One president (can't remember who but it was a long time ago) moved Thanksgiving up a week to extend the holiday season and stimulate the economy more. Anyway, since it is a word used to identify a holiday, I also don't understand the big deal and I am all about separation of church and state. Some people are just too sensitive. Oi!!

On a side note the evergreen is not unique to the "Christmas" celebration.
The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.

The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.

Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.More can be found here: http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html

[Sicander]

I know the tree has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. 90% of what goes on at Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. But you would think that would be an argument as to why it is not a religious holiday now wouldnt you? Doesnt the fact that Christmas has be so secularised mean that saying "Merry Christmas" really has not religious connotation?

Seriously, with how little Christ has to do with Christmas thease days you would think no one would care.

[highlandronin26]

They were talking about this on Bill O'riley...I dont see why someone would take something so offensive when you are just trying to be nice. To ME its just like when i sneeze someone says "Bless You"!!!!! ALMOST THE EXACT SAME THING

[Pyxidragon]

Question: Has anyone here ever wished anyone else a "Merry Christmas?" only to have them get offended? I'm just wondering.

I can't think of a single person that has been offended by my wishing them "Merry Christmas." (I don't get offended when such a greeting/parting phrase is offered to me, either, tho I don't celebrate it as a religious celebration.)