Merry Christmas: Are you offended?

[Coup de Grace]

Over the years, saying "Merry Christmas" has become offensive to people of various religions so in the interest of political correctness, it's been turned into "Happy Holidays." How do you feel about this?

I think it's stupid and there's nothing to be offended about. If I wish you a Merry Christmas, it's not to crap on your religion, what you practice or what you believe in. Yeah, I realize it's a Christian Holiday, but it's the sentiment behind the wish not pertaining to the religion. I'm wishing you well for the Holiday season. I'm not changing what I've said for years because a few people decided to get butt-hurt over nothing. I say lighten up and be glad someone is wishing you well.

Thoughts?

 

[QueenMari]

I hate to be rude but I think ''Get over it.I'm not changing what I say.'' There is nothing to be offended about anyway.Santa isn't Christian.The origin isn't even Christian but I won't get into that.Anyway I don't care.I say Merry Christmas and that's that,they can say whatever they want back to me.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

I don't think that we should stop celebrating what we believe. Nor do I think we should shove it down the throats of those who believe differntly. But, in what we like to call Christian charity, I think it's good to be open and sensitive to others.

If I know someone shares my Christian faith (or is okay with it), I wish them a Merry Christmas. If they don't, or it's a mixed group, I say Happy Holidays. For me, it's not in order to avoid offending anyone. It's simply that the latter is all inclusive. So, whether a person who reads/hears it celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, the Winter Solstice, something else or nothing at all, they're covered. I wish everyone the best...no matter what/how they may believe and/or celebrate.

When I was in high school, I refused to read a book that I found to be offensive. So, after a note from my mom to my b*tch of a teacher, I was allowed to read something else. I think the same should be true of holiday celebrations in our schools. If a holiday is coming up that students wish to celebrate (without interfering in class time), they should be permitted to do so. If other students are offended by it, they should be given another activity during that time rather than taking part. Christmas in particular has long ceased to be a purely religious holiday. So, I don't see the big deal.

 

[Redmage]

I'm not Christian, but I don't see the problem. If a Jew wishes me "Happy Hanukkah" it's churlish to say "No, thanks, I'm not Jewish." Christmas is a day - December 25. If someone tells me that they hope that day is a good one for me, why am I going to take offense?

 

[Capnmad]

I don't think "Merry Christmas" was ever really considered offensive so much as it's specific to one religion, and so its continued use was recognized as neglectful and dismissive of other religions that have celebrations around the same time. "Happy Holidays" seemed a friendly catch-all for those of unknown faith. The idea that saying "Merry Christmas" is seen as offensive in some circles is mostly trumped up by a conservative religious faction in this country to help substantiate the notion that there's some sort of "War on Christmas", and there must be a counter-strike in the "Culture War".

Thus the religious right has gone out of its way to make "Happy Holidays" sound offensive (as it's a part of the annual make-believe "War on Christmas"!). Commentators urge boycotts of stores who use the inclusive "Happy Holidays", with buying power used to leverage a tyranny of the majority and make things distinctly unwelcoming for those of different faiths.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." --Gandhi

 

[kered]

Being incredibly politically incorrect I always say Merry Christmas with the intent being to say I hope you and your family enjoy a happy and healthy season. If someone tells me Happy Kwanza or Hanukkah I accept it for the reason they say it. To me the spirit is all the same.

If a person gets upset at a friendly greeting like these simply because it is not their religion then that's their problem. So Merry Christmas and if you don't like it, tough.

 

[Sandrock74]

I say "Merry Christmas" and if you don't like it....too bad. If someone says Happy Hanukkah to me, I don't flip out and go crazy, I merely accept it graciously, as I'm sure it was intended. Some people really need to lighten up in this world.

 

[vladtickleman22]

It's Merry Christmas. Point blank. End of discussion. The ads you see on tv hawking shit? Christmas sales. The fliers you see hawking shit. Christmas sales. The salvation army guys ringing the bells. Dressed up as Santa. Christmas. Everything about it is Christmas. So when i go to a store. I expect to hear Merry Christmas. When they say Happy Holidays i turn around and walk out.

I have Jewish friends and say Happy Hanukkah. After all that's what you say to someone who is Jewish. Merry Christmas would not make sense. But out in public where i don't know them. It's Merry Christmas.

 

[MrMacphisto]

I'm not Christian, but I don't see the problem. If a Jew wishes me "Happy Hanukkah" it's churlish to say "No, thanks, I'm not Jewish." Christmas is a day - December 25. If someone tells me that they hope that day is a good one for me, why am I going to take offense?

Agreed...

Personally, I'm offended by political correctness.

 

[milagros317]

I have no problem with people saying "Merry Christmas" and I'm not offended by it. It is a well-intentioned greeting appropriate to this time of the year.
😀

 

[Deleted member 66627]

Before Christmas, it's Merry Christmas. After Christmas, it's Happy Holidays. Fuck 'em.

 

[sabyra]

Offending? Naw, I'd find it well-intentioned too, and would appreciate it, no matter what religion I am.
I personally do prefer saying "happy holidays" though, it suits for all.

 

[grandizer]

I say happy holidays. If they don't like it, they can put their fingers in their ears.

 

[Angel77]

Being incredibly politically incorrect I always say Merry Christmas with the intent being to say I hope you and your family enjoy a happy and healthy season. If someone tells me Happy Kwanza or Hanukkah I accept it for the reason they say it. To me the spirit is all the same.

If a person gets upset at a friendly greeting like these simply because it is not their religion then that's their problem. So Merry Christmas and if you don't like it, tough.

I absolutely agree! When I say "Merry Christmas" it's my way of wishing all the best to you. If someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah or whatever religion they might be, I take it as them wishing me all the best. I'm personally so sick of hearing people complain over what's right and what's not right. When I was a kid, we had "Christmas concerts" and learned Hanukkah songs (which to this day, I still remember the words to and I grew up Catholic lol). I thought it was kind of cool actually. It was nice to just be able to learn about other religions and sing songs and just have fun without someone going "no no no!" Oh well, no worries, be happy 🙂 And Merry Christmas!

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

I tend to say "Have a nice holiday" during any big holidays. If you say Happy Easter, some people get all worked up. If you say Happy Thanksgiving, some people get pissy about that. To avoid an argument, I just stick with that. But my opinion is that Merry Christmas is not me thrusting my religion at you. It's me trying to be polite and wish you well during the holiday season. If somoene wishes me Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Ramadan or whatever else goes on this time of year I don't get all bent out of shape, so don't get your panties in a twist because someone wishes you a Merry Christmas. At least they're not telling you to go fuck yourself.

 

[sasaxrah]

I don't like that it's assumed in this country that you're Christian. That's really all I have to say about this. I'm not offended by someone wishing me a happy holiday I don't celebrate, and I appreciate the intent. But I never assume anyone is anything, especially with religion, and I prefer the same respect.

 

[Radiohead 7140]

It's Merry Christmas. Point blank. End of discussion. The ads you see on tv hawking shit? Christmas sales. The fliers you see hawking shit. Christmas sales. The salvation army guys ringing the bells. Dressed up as Santa. Christmas. Everything about it is Christmas. So when i go to a store. I expect to hear Merry Christmas. When they say Happy Holidays i turn around and walk out.

I have Jewish friends and say Happy Hanukkah. After all that's what you say to someone who is Jewish. Merry Christmas would not make sense. But out in public where i don't know them. It's Merry Christmas.

you're always so ambiguous about your point of view

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

I don't like that it's assumed in this country that you're Christian. That's really all I have to say about this. I'm not offended by someone wishing me a happy holiday I don't celebrate, and I appreciate the intent. But I never assume anyone is anything, especially with religion, and I prefer the same respect.

I think that many people don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. They celebrate it as a day where they get and give gifts and spend time with family and listen to the chipmunks sing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. I know several athiests/agnostics who celebrate Christmas and wish people Merry Christmas, and it has nothing to do with their own religion or the assumed religion of the other person. It's just a well wish for the holiday season.

 

[SlaverTickler]

I don't like that it's assumed in this country that you're Christian. That's really all I have to say about this. I'm not offended by someone wishing me a happy holiday I don't celebrate, and I appreciate the intent. But I never assume anyone is anything, especially with religion, and I prefer the same respect.

Walters greatest Moment...

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Somebody should turn that into a fucking ring-tone.

 

[sasaxrah]

I think that many people don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. They celebrate it as a day where they get and give gifts and spend time with family and listen to the chipmunks sing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. I know several athiests/agnostics who celebrate Christmas and wish people Merry Christmas, and it has nothing to do with their own religion or the assumed religion of the other person. It's just a well wish for the holiday season.

Cool. But again, it's the assumptions that I take issue with. It's not that big a deal to me, but at the same time, I certainly don't think I'm being this huge asshole by preferring that no one assumes they know what I am. Just a preference. I don't say "fuck you!" to someone who says it because again, not that big of a deal.

 

[SlaverTickler]

I say Merry Chrsitmas because I'm Christian... I really don't care what anybody else it.

 

[Deleted member 66627]

I say Merry Christmas because I celebrate Christmas and it's a very Merry time.

 

[Hangtenfeet]

Keep it with tradition...

Our country was founded on free thinkers and rule breakers from conformity.. So in the spirit of that, who gives a damn who is offended by Christmas.. Celebrate what you will.. I like Christmas, I celebrate christmas, and I even pray on occassion, I could give a crap who it offends. People need to be tolerate of each other's beliefs.. We live in a very liberal society.. Don't be afraid to express yourself.

Tristan

http://hangtenfeet.com/Videos.html

My idea of a good Christmas:

 

[Deleted member 66627]

H'omg. Plz shrink the pictures down if you're going to pimp them everywhere.

 

[chicago]

I think the best way to go, if you're going to say something like Merry Christmas to someone, which I think is totally unnecessary anyway, is to say Happy Holidays instead if you're unsure of the person's religious beliefs. I mean, otherwise, you probably come across as an ignorant asshole, but hey, you're not alone.

PS. HangTen, your signature is fucking huge.