I was wondering if the phrase, "Thank God it's Friday" bugs you. I know there are some who view that as shoving a religion down their throats and some who don't care. I was wondering how you felt about it.
Also, saying "Merry Christmas" because it comes natural to us. I actually have to think in order to say, "Happy Holidays" since I grew up saying "Merry Christmas" and don't mean any offense to anyone when I say it.
Just curious on your POV.
2006-09-29 05:08:00 · 23 answers · asked by sister steph 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm more of an agnostic personally. I take interest in religion, but I avoid crystallized, ready-made answers.
As for the specifics of your question, I have to say: Only the really stuck up ones. Nothing wrong with 'thank God it's Friday'. It's an expression; they need to lighten up if they're offended by that.
As for the Merry Christmas thing, why the heck would you get mad at somebody that wishes you happiness on a particular day of the year? I think it's just silly. I'm not black either, but if somebody wishes me a 'Happy Martin Luther King day', I'll simply say 'thank you'. I don't get that attitude at all.
2006-09-29 05:14:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The use of "God" in phrases is a common culturally learned behavior. For example, I couldn't tell you how many times I say "God dammit", despite not believing in God. Such expressions now often do not have anything to do with an actual belief system, but they have meanings of their own that are culturally understood, regardless of the origin. For example, I hear people say "May Allah be merciful" just to ask to catch a break in the current situation or to wish someone luck (in a way). Or people give the Vulcan sign and say "Live long and prosper." No one actually follows the Vulcan belief system, but we know what the action means and can generalize it. We take the general meaning and intention behind the phrase, not the literal one.
Christmas is also a secular holiday. Many people celebrate Santa Christmas, not Jesus Christmas. Saying "Merry Christmas" is not offensive, however, saying "Happy Holidays" is more considerate of other holidays that take place at the same time like Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, etc. If you know you are addressing a number of people, it is simply considerate to use "Happy Holidays" instead to cover all possible holidays celebrated.
2006-09-29 12:22:15 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a secular agnostic Buddhist. When it comes to the "Thank God it's Friday!" statement, I'm more likely to focus on the welcome news that it's really FRIDAY, thus ignoring the theological reference.
And Merry Christmas has become as secular as Happy New Year. It doesn't have to mean anything religious. I know a lot of people, myself included, who grew up celebrating Christmas, enjoyed it, and continue to mark the occasion. I also celebrate the solstice and New Year's Eve. Christians lost their monopoly on Christmas as soon as Santa Clause was introduced to the picture.
2006-09-29 12:14:49 · answer #3 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
meh, its just slang. The problem with some religions, is that they are too conservative. And even though democratic socities need conservativism to survive, I do not believe it is the right choice. If you hear God being used in every day language, offer a prayer for the person who said it, and move on. Because God is a forgiving God, and God is also Understanding. Maybe the person saying it is really subconciously saying a prayer.
2006-09-29 12:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by Genesis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What bugs me is the fact that you feel the need to ask this question. Political correctness is one of the stupidest concepts ever thought up by over sensitive quasi-intellectuals.
Respecting my beliefs is not judging me and not pushing your beliefs down my throat by preaching to me if I tell you I am not interested.
Saying thank God or Merry Christmas as an expression of your beliefs is perfectly fine and if I respect your beliefs I will not require you to change your wording to conform to my belief system.
Respect is tolerance not conformity.
2006-09-29 12:16:32 · answer #5 · answered by thewolfskoll 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Thank God it's Friday" doesn't phase me - I also believe in a God, just not the Judeo-Christian one.
"Merry Christmas" doesn't bug me. What bugs me is when people get huffy if I choose to say "Happy holidays" instead.
What would also bug me is if people would get upset if I said "Blessed Solstice" instead...
2006-09-29 12:19:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
not at all
the days of the week are all based on gods
thank Gott it's Freye day (german)
merry christmas is now a major consumerism based holiday with no refference from bible about christmas save "Peace on earth, goodwill towards men (not sitting on oil reserves)"
all christian holy days are pagan in origin, Oestra, -easter (moon based) Solstice (sun based shortest day of year) All saints day influenced by the harvest moon and ancient traditions of people thought to roam the fields after the harvest (day of the dead)
and on , and on.
It is generally acknowledged that the Christmas tree is of German origin. In the pre-Christian era the oak was the sacred tree for the Germanic peoples. Legend has it that the missionary to the Germans, St. Boniface, in order to stop sacrifices at their sacred Donar Oak near Geismar, chopped the tree down [725 A.D.]. He is said to have replaced the oak by a fir tree, adorned in tribute to the new-born Christ. Ironically, the evergreen tree has been ascribed magical power by the Germanic peoples as a representation of fertility. Today, the fir and its next of kin enjoy the highest degree of popularity. The Christmas tree custom has spread across large parts of the world.
The church also placed Christ's birth at the time of the winter solstice and fostered as the bringer of gifts St. Nikolaus, the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6, 343. Christian symbols and earlier historical layers of Germanic mythological figures began to meld, or to live side by side. Consequently, the old German God Wotan, riding the wild skies with his retinue, emerged out of the pre-Christian past.
2006-09-29 12:15:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, the things that bug me are the ten commandments plastered on everything, trying to write bigotry into the constitution, and trying to shove religion down our childrens throats in public schools. As long as they stay away from those three things I have no problem with them...
2006-09-29 12:17:33 · answer #8 · answered by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the whole politically correct situation is totally out of control. Its a free country isn't it? Say what you want and if Joe smoe Atheist gets mad at you for being sociable and nice then, well, he was going to get mad at anything you say so it doesn't matter. People need to stop taking things out of context and listen for once. Have a nice day really does mean Have a nice day. Peace to you and God Bless You.
2006-09-29 12:15:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how it is said. Personally, I don't mind "Thank God it's Friday", because it is said more as an expletive than a profession of belief. That's similar for "Bless you" said after a sneeze, though I personally say "Gezuntheit" if I say anything.
If a person says an elaborate "I'll pray for you" or "The Lord God, almighty, Bless you" or something similar, I'll take that as the annoying in-your-face obnoxiousness that it is. In that case, they are just trying to show how superior than are to the rest of us cretins.
BTW, I love the Christmas holiday. It's one of the best secular holidays around, though Christians still like to claim ownership of it just because it has their dead idol's name in it.
2006-09-29 12:11:52 · answer #10 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋