Merry Christmas! vs. Happy Holidays! (Taliban, death, KKK, dollars)

[PurpleLove08]

Neither for me.

I'm sure I'm going get a lot of "Merry Christmas" on the phone at work coming up and all I want to do is just scream.
I get enough of the "God bless you." Just STHU and hang up the phone.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by BringTheContent

Do you really think it's only one side who gets upset over this?

Yes. I do. I think that the number of people who have a serious issue with the phrase "Merry Christmas" is minuscule. Tiny. Insignificant. Inflated by those who want to turn this into a debate.

I don't know a single person who gets legitimately upset when people say "Merry Christmas" unless they're deliberately being contrarian.

The folks I DO hear are those who say "You're taking away my right to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!" when, of course, no one is.

[BringTheContent]

Originally Posted by bibit612

You know...I don't really care what they say to their friends..Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, or Happy Kwanzah or Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! You need a life and mind your own kids. I'll make sure to have them respond to your post and you argue with a 10-year old, okay? Now go to your room.

I need a life because I said YOU should be responsible for the way your kids behave?

OK. Sure. Makes sense to me. You would be amazed at just how awesome a person's life can be when they aren't completely busy being a lousy parent.

[JTraik]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Yes. I do. I think that the number of people who have a serious issue with the phrase "Merry Christmas" is minuscule. Tiny. Insignificant. Inflated by those who want to turn this into a debate.

I don't know a single person who gets legitimately upset when people say "Merry Christmas" unless they're deliberately being contrarian.

The folks I DO hear are those who say "You're taking away my right to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!" when, of course, no one is.

Your right... there is no debate, look at the poll results.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by JTraik

And what is it primarily known to represent today?

Um.... Arbor Day?

[buildings_and_bridges]

Originally Posted by bibit612

From my children: "It's great moving to the South. We can say "Merry Christmas" without having to think about it. Up North, we had to pause, and think about whether our friend is Jewish."

Have they figured out yet that we have Jewish people down here, too?

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by BringTheContent

I need a life because I said you should be responsible for the way your kids behave?

OK. Sure. Makes sense to me. You would be amazed at just how awesome a person's life can be when they aren't completely busy being a lousy parent.

Whoa! Lousy parent?

The wheels have come off of this thread.

It's a non-issue to begin with.

[PurpleLove08]

I wish I could vote and say neither. I actually do care...

[fatmancomics]

The truth of the matter is that we're not even celebrating Jesus' birthday. Nobody knows when that is and it is speculated that it was probably sometime around April.
The Romans used to celebrate the winter Solstice and emperor Aurelian declared the official date to be on December 25. Later Constantine, a christian emperor, made christianity the official religion of Rome and changed the holiday to christmas in order to convert the pagans into christianity.
A few years ago I was looking up celebrations on December 25 before christmas and (dont' quote me) I think it was the greeks who celebrated the goddess of the harvest around that time so I was goind around saying "happy harvest day" when everyone else was saying "merry christmas" as a joke. Nobody in my family is religious to the point of taking offense to something like that. Nowadays I just say merry christmas. If someone wants to have an in depth discussion about how they don't celebrate it, they're welcomed to it but they'll probably get an explanation on harvest day from me.

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by BringTheContent

It really is a shame that the PC crowd has to try to make people feel BAD about sending GOOD wishes. Maybe they didn't get enough love when they were growing up and the holidays are a reminder of all that they missed out on in their lives.

Nah. Most of us don't mind the whole to-do about Christmas. In fact, it's a great opportunity for paid days off work, and excuses to get the family together each year to duke it out (it happens *every* year) and give away awesome presents that we would normally feel guilty about purchasing for ourselves!

The greeting doesn't matter; the holiday doesn't matter. All I've ever asked is that everybody respects and loves one another for who they are, rather than the cross they do or do not wear.

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

You have thoughtful children for considering their Jewish friends.

That's really all this is about. Consideration. Of course people can "handle" being told "Merry Christmas". Chances are, no matter what religion they are, they've heard it a million times and it doesn't bother them. Just like I wouldn't be bothered if someone wished me a Happy Yom Kippur or a Pleasant Ramadan or whatever. However, there's not a THING wrong with being considerate.

Being so militant about a GREETING is the very definition of silliness and self-seriousness gone awry. Relax. Enjoy the Holidays. Christmas and all the rest of 'em.

You mean... there's a thing called "Common Sense" in here?!

Speaking of which, I've got two lovely stories that you should enjoy:

When I worked at a restaurant, I worked day before Christmas because it was triple pay for me. Of course, I wished people a Merry Christmas... this one older woman was like, "I don't celebrate Christmas. I celebrate Channukah." and I responded to her (In Hebrew) "In that case, might I wish you very good cheers of Channukah. But remember that the Torah teaches love for all and not discontent." The look on her face was brilliantly priceless.

Second story was when I was a manager at the Christmas Hater known as Wal-Mart. I already had my plans on quitting, so it didn't really matter, but to every customer I used "Mele Kilikimaka" as my greeting.

Originally Posted by JTraik

Look everyone!!! Another angry response against the Christian faith... Do you participate in any Christmas related activities? Gift giving? Holiday pine trees? Holiday parties? Holiday decorating? Watching holiday themed tv programs?

Actually, my setup is more based on Saturnalia than Christmas. Oh wait.. And I've been more apt to have Sol Invictus instead of a Christmas Dinner.

But really, are we really to use the greeting thing to bash on others who do not feel the same as the "majority?"