Merry Christmas! vs. Happy Holidays! (carry, problems, radio, schools)

[gizmo980]

P.S. I am a classical musician, and EVERY Christmas for as long as I can remember, I perform Handel's Messiah with an orchestra/choir... often in a church, but this year I'm actually performing it at Davies Symphony Hall! So don't tell me I'm a Scrooge, because I doubt anyone else here can play the entire orchestral part for the Messiah - on 3 different instruments (and all clefs), nonetheless.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Well, I don't think most Christian Americans would go to Israel and expect that they'd get all the Christian holidays off.

Of course not... and I never demand or expect Jewish holidays off (at least not without using my own vacation/no-pay hours). Did you think I was saying that? If so, you totally missed my point.

Until other religious traditions gain prominence (unlikely considering the Catholic Hispanic growth), it's a part of the fabric of America for good. Do like they do around here on Christmas and order CHinese take out and go to a movie!

LOL... that is exactly what I do every year. And this year I'm going to a Jewish comedy festival AT a Chinese restaurant - how cool is that? But seriously, I have no problem with Christmas or anything related to it, and neither do most Jews/non-Christians. This is a total non-issue, and I'm only debating for the sake of debate. But I love the diversity of this country, which is why I do fight for equal respect to minorities (whether religious, ethnic or otherwise). That is the very fabric of our society, and bickering or bullying people who aren't in the majority just ain't cool... whether it's Christmas or the middle of June.

[BringTheContent]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Oh give us a break... no Jew I know of gives one rat's a$$ about Christmas

You are absolutely correct in the sense that all of this debate does not interfere with their own enjoyment of the holiday season, and personally I am very happy about that. As another poster mentioned, here in NYC we have the largest Jewish population outside of Tel Aviv. I won't speak for anywhere else in the country, but around here the many Jewish people I know aren't even involved in the Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays debate. That's probably because in this area it has no bearing on them at all.

Hanukkah is very much accepted here, and it should be. It's one of my favorite holidays, and I'm not even Jewish. I've been included in it through many close friends, and it's a great experience. In NYC, at least the Jewish people I know personally are not interested in this debate because they are too busy enjoying the eight nights and eight days of their own great holiday, and they aren't going to be distracted by anything else.

Good for them!

[boiseguy]

great, now saying merry christmas is a political statement for many. I don't believe in christianity, but if someone says merry christmas to me.. I think its great. If someone believes in anything else and says that to me as well, great. Its the thought that counts.. including people and wishing well to others.. that is what christianity is about. Seems now with the militant christian soldiers it's meaning brings about more than that. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of militants on the other side of the fence. But I don't think you're hearing it from agnostics and athiests, but more from jews and muslims.
As an agnostic... I think you're all crazy... but I value the purpose of your holidays and wish to celebrate them to celebrate humanity.. rather than force my jesus, or mohammad, or joe six pack down society's throat. That's anything but godly.
Perhaps one day, god will come and save us all from her followers. ( I hope she's a vengeful spiteful feminist beetch too.)

*grin*

[Hesster]

I consider myself agnostic, but my family celebrates Christmas and I go along with it considering these days it's mostly a secular holiday anyway. I like giving presents and the general good feelings the season is supposed to embody, even if I don't celebrate it as the birth of Christ. All Christmas was to begin with was a tool to convince pagans to adopt Christianity while still keeping their old traditions anyway.

As for the whole Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays 'controversy', all I can say is there sure must be a lot of people out there with a lot of time on their hands who do nothing but look for things to be offended about. You'd think there would be better things to spend energy on that Jesus would have actually cared about like helping people than getting all worked up about what's written on the decorations that some giant corporation hangs up for a few weeks out of the year.

So in short, I don't really care what people say. If someone wishes me a Merry Christmas or whatever, then I will wish them the same. If they don't, I usually don't say anything.

[JTraik]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

P.S. I am a classical musician, and EVERY Christmas for as long as I can remember, I perform Handel's Messiah with an orchestra/choir... often in a church, but this year I'm actually performing it at Davies Symphony Hall! So don't tell me I'm a Scrooge, because I doubt anyone else here can play the entire orchestral part for the Messiah - on 3 different instruments (and all clefs), nonetheless.

Very cool! What instruments?

[whatever you want]

It's MERRY CHRISTMAS at my house...I have a grade school aged daughter who either A) Still believes in Santa or B) Pretends she does hoping that the presents will be more plentiful.

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Putting up a Christmas tree at City Hall hurts no one. Are you upset that we have a "National Christmas Tree" near the White House? Do it on Christmas Day.

And, why can't Christmas Carols be sung at CHRISTMAS pagents/plays in public schools? Do it on Christmas Day.

And, why should someone be chided for saying Merry Christmas? Do it on Christmas Day.

And why can't the lit Star be placed atop the highest point on a city park? Do it on Christmas Day.

And, why can't the Three Wise Man be displayed at the Public Library? Do it on Christmas Day.

See above. Because all I'm seeing is a bunch of whiners complaining that "their holiday" is being attacked because they can't do this or do that - but yet have the holiday "cheer" to attack those people who don't celebrate.

Who cares who is the majority or minority?! Who really cares? This pathetic excuse for a "Debate" was not started by people complaining about the overabundance of Christmas. Instead, it was started for the sheer purpose of saying that "Christmas is superior, screw the rest of you."

So really, this whole thing about holiday cheers and malarkey is all started by people who are seriously too insecure about their own holiday.. Because *gasp* the rest of us DON'T GIVE A FLYING POO. We just enjoy the fringe benefits of it and shrug off the rest.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by JTraik

Very cool! What instruments?

Primarily viola, but also violin & oboe... I actually play 8 instruments altogether. Happy Thanksgiving, btw!

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

So really, this whole thing about holiday cheers and malarkey is all started by people who are seriously too insecure about their own holiday..

Exactly.
It is like a sort of Christian Supremacist Anxiety Disorder.
The outrage and indignation is, IMHO, self-defeating.
It is water off a secularist's back, yet at the same time, for a Christian, it takes the focus away from where it should be--his or her own relationship with God.
The very people who proudly proclaim that it's "Merry Christmas" for them ("Don't like it? tough") end up spitting out the greeting like some sort of epithet.
Joy to the world, indeed.