To any religious who choose to answer, do not slander all atheists in a generalization, I'm talking about the extreme atheists, which still aren't as bas as a radical religion, not as many murders. Also things like trying to keep religion out of laws isn't extremist, it is just fair.
I celebrate Christmas, so sue me. And when I see people getting all wound up over some one saying merry Christmas in public it makes me just as mad as when I hear "God is the only way to true knowledge" or something like that. I mean woh is honestly offended when some one wishes some one else a merry Christmas? Does it really force religion on anyone?
If I was on TV I'd make it a point to wish everyone a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah just to make a point. It is wishing some one happiness during your holiday, is that so bad?
2006-09-12 11:55:41 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nicely put. IT's more about tradition than forcing religion on people. Wishing people a Merry Christmas is a way for me to connect with strangers during the holiday season. I am not preaching, just extending good will. Right?
I guess times have changed. The offensive is on TV now during primetime, and the good intentioned is thrown under the truck for its "agenda" - go figure.
God forgive us all.
2006-09-12 12:00:19 · answer #1 · answered by joelgehringer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not the initial "Merry Christmas" that bothers me. As you say, that's a well-wishing. But when I point out, quietly and without rebuke, that I'm a Humanist and celebrate Human Light, I *am* bothered by the huffy response I usually get, as though I've somehow spoiled Christmas by not joining in the fun. I have no disdain for Christmas. I'm glad to wish my Christian friends and family a wonderful holiday, but it's not the only holiday.
When I know a person is Christian, I wish them a Merry Christmas. When I know they are Jewish, I wish them a Happy Chanukah. When I know they are pagan, I wish them a Happy Yule or Winter Solstice. When I know they are Humanist, I wish them a Happy Human Light. When I don't know their religion or philosophical connection, I use the generic and proper "Happy Holidays!"
2006-09-12 12:02:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't celebrate Christmas, I celebrate Yule. But it doesn't offend me if someone says "Merry Christmas". I mean, how are they supposed to know? Christianity is the majority religion in America, so it's natural to suppose one celebrates Christmas. They mean well, and I appreciate that. And anyhow, Christmas was Yule long before Jesus was ever born. I wonder how many Christ-worshipers know they're celebrating an ancient Pagan holiday. Blessed be.
2006-09-12 12:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by Maria Isabel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah Witnesses. That is who it offends. You have to say happy holidays. I think it's ridiculous, too. It's like you have to watch how much happiness you spead as to not offend someone. Personally, I celebrate Christmas because it's Christs Birthday and that makes me happy and saying Merry Christmas to someone is telling someone how happy I am it's Christmas and all the reasons Christmas came to be. It's a time of giving and loving and appreciating one another. If it offends someone it's their problem. I think there are more people that appreciate the gesture than ones who do not.
2006-09-12 12:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wrote this to our local paper last holiday season, as I work in retail and it was becoming a hot-button topic in our store, to the point of customers yelling at me if I didn't say "Merry Christmas". I'm not a Christian, but I like to celebrate Christmas also. I like to celebrate just about every faith's holy days, and that's my point -- at that time of year, there are many more than just that one.
"Saying “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” has nothing to do with being politically correct. It’s about being inclusive rather than exclusive; it is about having respect for the fact that not all people you encounter may share your belief system. Wishing a non-Christian a Merry Christmas is akin to wishing a non-Muslim a Happy Eid Al Fitr; it is a meaningless token. Many lament the secularization and commercialization of Christmas; reserving one’s Christmas greetings for those who share in your joy at Jesus’ birth is a way of preserving the depth of the message, rather than reducing it to a generic holiday hello. By all means extend a cheery “Merry Christmas” to those you know who are Christian, or those strangers who proudly display their faith. If you are unsure, say “Happy Holidays” to show that you are aware that in the Season of Light, miracles come in more than one denomination."
2006-09-12 12:10:09 · answer #5 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. I celebrate christmas too. Someone becoming offended over marry christmas is sad person. If I were in Israel, I wouldn't mind someone saying Happy Hanukkah. It is the intention not the words that matter, just look at husbands that beat up their wives because they say the "love them."
2006-09-12 11:59:47 · answer #6 · answered by Alucard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an agnostic and too find it absolutely absurd that anyone should get offended by a Merry Christmas. So, if you don't celebrate it and someone says that to you, tell them "I don't celebrate christmas" and get over it. :-( Makes me sad that it's such an issue in the media, don't we have bigger things to think about?
2006-09-12 12:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by LDG 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't forget Happy Kwanzaa if you want to be PC.
The problem is, people who talk about the separation of church and state, which is NOT in the Constitution. It's from a private letter written by Thomas Jefferson who was a Deist, stating what he thought was a good idea for our country. If people would read the Constitution before trying to quote it, this country would be a nicer place to live.
2006-09-12 12:02:05 · answer #8 · answered by p2of9 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing wrong with wishing joy.
All this religion bunk and race bunk are just smoke screens to keep working people from seeing that the rich are running away with our freedoms and our lives.
2006-09-12 12:07:19 · answer #9 · answered by ann a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, as a Christian, I cannot celebrate christmas. It's origin is pagan sun worship. So I wouldn't tell anyone "Marry Christmas"!
2006-09-12 12:04:30 · answer #10 · answered by flandargo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋