Sometimes I’m afraid to wish people “Happy Holidays” or even “Season’s Greetings” for fear that I might be accused of being anti-Christmas. What would Jesus do?
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23 Comments
“Have fun on Saturday!”–Does that work? đ
If I know someone celebrates Christmas, I’ll be specific. Other times I will say “Happy Holidays” as a general greeting for all the conglomerate of holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.
If âMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year to youâ causes anyone to get angry, then we should just ban all religious services, churches, groups and make it illegal to utter any language containing references to anything in religion. All churches/mosques/synagogues/temples must be forever known only as community meeting places and no worship services allowed.
This PC garbage has gone too far. Do Jews apologize for Hannukuh? Say what you want and let others practice their tolerance. If it offends them they can let you know so you can offer them a âHappy Holidaysâ next time and show your sensitivity while they offer you a âMerry Christmasâ and show their understanding for you.
I’m cracking up that you reacted that way, PatriotSgt. I was actually worried about the opposite — not-so-christian Christians who get all huffy if you say things like “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays”. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone get upset because I said “Merry Christmas” and they weren’t Christian.
Thanks for getting rid of my other mess.
The media just bugs me when they get into Xmas PC and hound on stories about yet another town who’s leadership has decided to ban Christmas or a cross for heavans sake. No one has ever gone ballistic if I’ve offered a “Merry Christmas” either, so I just get annoyed when media types try to make into something its not.
By the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all the Political Irony fans and contributers.
I say Merry Christmas to people usually, and have never been contradicted by anyone. I know that not everyone celebrates Christmas, but I do, and I like to let people know that. If I know someone who is Jewish, I say Happy Hanukkah, but other than that, Christmas is my standard.
I’m not trying to be one of those stupid uber-Christians who forces their religion on others, I just like saying “Merry Christmas”.
That’s a good idea. If someone says “Merry Christmas” to someone else and the second person objects saying they don’t celebrate Christmas, the first person can just say that they do. Problem solved.
Now, what about the case where you say “Happy Holidays” and someone objects and accuses you of waging war on Christmas?
However, the constitution is clear that the government may not establish any religion, so sponsoring a Christmas thing with taxpayer money is unconstitutional. Such things should be paid for with private money. I don’t mind them using public space, as long as they pay rent and the same space is available to other religions. For example, if Christians want a huge Christmas tree set up in a downtown square, they should pay for it without any taxpayer money. But they should certainly be allowed to do it, as long as other religions can set up similar displays at their own expense.
Just remember people….KEEP FEST IN FESTIVUS, lest we forget the true meaning of the season!!
Happy Holidays everyone!!!
I say Merry Christmas to folks all the time. Even as a federal employee, where we’re supposed to be secular, I said Merry Christmas – provided that was the particular holiday we were approaching. (Gotta admit, I don’t say it much in July.)
The separation of church and state is a pretty sensitive issue to a lot of folks, though, and, PSGT, I know you know that. Having governmental bodies refrain from entering into what can be construed as the endorsement of one religion (in this case Christianity) while not recognizing other religions – well it gets kind of dicey when one looks at the constitutional warning against establishment of an official religion.
Some of us get a little sensitive when a political candidate’s religion becomes an issue in a campaign – especially when said candidate confers to his or her god the final authority for their decisions. Doesn’t sit well with me, at least. I don’t buy the “we’re a Christian nation founded on Christian principles” argument. Too many Deists and non-believers among the founding fathers and too many of those same principles can be found in non-Christian dogmas.
One final note – the only folks that I’m aware of who regularly bring up the war on Christmas are some of our favorite pundits on Faux News and Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. No one has taken serious steps to abridge our right as citizens to practice religion (within reason here) as we see fit (I digress -> unless, of course your a practitioner of the Islamic faith in which case governmental and political organizations, politicians, non-profits, and individuals have taken active steps to prevent or at least intimidate believers from openly practicing their faith). Governments should not practice religion at all. They should be religion neutral. That means either recognizing all major faiths’ holidays or none. There really isn’t any middle ground on this. I personally care which.
Meantime, I’ll just keep saying Merry Christmas and expect anyone who is offended by that to tell me.
I figure that most people celebrate AT LEAST 2 holidays in December. Where I live now, I say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” more than “Happy Holidays” because the overwhelming majority celebrates Christmas – how religiously is another matter entirely. Back in Massachusetts, most of us said “Happy Holidays” to those we didn’t know, but “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” as appropriate to those we did. It was accepted at face value without incident.
Happy belated Hanukkah, or Merry Christmas, or a Joyful Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year to all!
IK regarding your earlier comment “not-so-Christian Christians who get all huffy “, if someone actually challenged me because I used Happy Holidays, I’d probably just come back at them with a âOh I thought you looked (Jewish, Muslim or African) and I didn’t want to offend you.” I have a particular disdain for religious hypocrites that promote hate while claiming to be Christian.
As to the separation of church and state. Hmmm, I agree the government should not pay a dime, but I know a lot of Christian folk who like decorating their cube for the season. Even in a war zone people sent us Xmas decorations, and one elementary school raised money and donated 30 small (12″) live trees complete with decorations. Many of my Soldiers were very pleased; it made their holiday far from home. So yes, they decorated their Gov’t paid for space, with lots Christmas stuff and no the Muslims that worked with us were not offended; they rather liked it since they also acknowledge Christ. We respected them during Ramadan and other important Muslim dates of course. We had a few Jews with us and they had no issues either, and we respected their right to wear a yarmulke on worship days.
PatriotSgt, sounds fine to me. Like I said, I don’t care if it is public space. Public space is for use by the public.
I think it’s a bit ridiculous that people claim there is an assault on Christmas when there is vastly more Christmas symbolism around in late December. How many “holiday trees” do you see VS. how many “holiday menorahs” at the local mall? Is it Santa Claus or a Rabbi that children sit with and tell them what they want? The people who get offended are the people who see everything as a personal affront to begin with. I don’t pay too much attention to it.
As for Separation of Church and State, I agree with Don that it’s a touchy subject and something that can go way overboard. If they really want to be neutral they should just stop making up ridiculous overarching rules and regulations and let each person express themselves individually, with the caveat that it’s their personal opinion.
I think I found the source of the assault on Christmas. It’s Valentine’s Day!
I was at the local Meijer today (think Walmart, but a shade better quality), and found that the Christmas cakes/goodies were being crowded by the first of the Valentine’s day cakes/goodies. *facepalm*
What happened to New Years?
Thought Dancer, in order to see New Years merchandising, you have to go to a liquor store. đ
Now thats funny….LOL
In my opinion, best to avoid the whole powderkeg and simply say, “Happy Muslim Christmas!” That should satisfy everyone.
I have grown up in and been around ultra-religious people my entire life. This is quite funny to me:
What actually happens during Christmas: some religious decoration, some not. Decoration of tree (non-religious), opening of presents (non-religious). Enjoying time with family (non-religious). Possible church visit for a prayer, sermon, or musical.
What is claimed to happen during Christmas whenever someone thinks “War on Christmas” is being declared: MINIMUM 7 DAYS OF SOLID JESUS WORSHIPING. IT IS ALL JESUS ALL THE TIME, AND SCREW YOU FOR IMPLYING ANYTHING ELSE. HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! IF YOU GODLESS HEATHENS DON’T LIKE CHRISTMAS THEN YOU CAN’T HAVE ANY VACATION DAYS FROM YOUR JOB.
@PSGT – I, too, worked in the government with a lot of folks who decorated their work spaces for any number of events in their lives, Christmas included. I have no problem with that at all as long as it’s not hostile to others. In fact, I believe cubicles are dehumanizing enough that folks should be encouraged to personalize them. I hated working with carpeted walls.
Oh, and I meant to say that I didn’t care where governmental bodies went with their allowance or dis-allowance of religious observances on public sites as long as it’s applied fairly.
Me, I’m pretty big on celebrating the winter solstice. Days are going to start getting longer, at some point the temperature outside will start to rise, spring will slowly emerge. Ya, man, this is the holiday to celebrate and this year we even had a lunar eclipse to usher in winter. Very cool. Sooo, Happy Solstice, everybody.
And a very Happy Solstice to you Don!!
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an
environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender
neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable
traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your
choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others,
or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all and a fiscally
successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset
of the generally accepted calendar year 2000, but not without due respect for the
calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make
America great (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country
or is the only “AMERICA” in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the
race, creed, color, age, physical disability, religious faith, choice of computer platform,
or sexual preference of the wishee.
Legal Disclaimer: By accepting this agreement, you are accepting these terms.
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no
alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually
implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by
law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.
This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good
tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting,
whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance
of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.
Sincerely,
(Name withheld for legal, social and cultural considerations.)
Yo Bert!! ‘>D
Bert lays down the LAW!
Spend it like you’ve got it,
It’s the American way.
My wish for you this year…
Happy Mass Consumption Day!!