or Merry Christmas (or Chanukah)--I can't see why people are so upset about this.........Aren't we wishing "Glad Tidings" to all, whomever your King might be? We're so worried about offending someone we lose the meaning behind the greeting anyway, so Merry Christmas!
2006-11-28 23:42:14 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
"Happy Holidays" is no good either, because you might upset some uppity Atheist.
I believe the new phrase is "Have an acceptable consecutive 24 hours". (;
Seriously though, "happy holidays" should be an acceptable compromise, no? You've got all your bases covered, and a non-holiday-celebrating person should be mature enough to not be bothered by it. It's silly to Jews, since we have holidays throughout the year, and though a lot of Jews treat Chanukah like some sort of Jewish Christmas, they're not really the same at all. But it's cool. We'll meet you halfway.
As for why a Jew (or other religious minority) might be upset by "Merry Christmas," try to understand where they're coming from. Various peoples have been mercilessly persecuted by Christians over the last two thousand years. Yeah, I know, it's not like you're the one who burned so-and-so's great great great Grandfather at the stake in the name of Jesus. BUT, you can at least understand why such a person might not be so merry about Christmas, can't you?
I think that those among my own people who get offended when wished Merry Christmas (though if they're wearing a yarmulke you should probably know better) are a little too tightly wound, BUT, I can see their point.
I think "happy holidays" is the best we're going to get.
Or how about what you said? "Glad tidings to all!"
...I'm reminded of Krusty the Clown (the character from the Simpsons), who at the end of his Non-Denominational Holiday Special, wished his viewers a "Marry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, a Kwwwaaaaazy Kwanza, and a solemn, dignified Ramadan".
Hey, you could try that one. (;
2006-11-28 23:53:40 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever the greetings are, they are meant with the spirit of the season...no matter what the person you're talking to celebrates.
I say Merry Christmas or Happy holidays. Mostly I say Happy Holidays to people I won't see more than a time or two during the season...that encompasses Christmas and New Years.
2006-11-28 23:45:38 · answer #2 · answered by empress_pam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, Christians don't know who their Jewish or atheist friends are because they never ask! And the few who do know, don't understand that Jesus is NOT their savior.
Most Christians probably think of Christmas as a secular holiday with Santa Claus and what have you, but the rest of us consider it one of the two most holy days of Christianity and are amazed at the way it is celebrated! Commercialism and over-indulgence! Was it last year or the year before when it fell on Sunday and church services were cancelled? Incredible!
Why not just stick with "have a nice day." It's every bit as inane and mindless as "merry christmas!"
BTW: Chanukah is as much a Christian celebration as a Jewish one. The story is found in your Bible, not ours. It is a very minor holiday and has become a major celebration only so Jewish children don't feel left out of the "holiday" celebrations.
.
2006-11-29 00:21:33 · answer #3 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happy Merry Christurnaliahannaramazaastice
(Christmas, Saturnalia, Hannaka, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Solstice)
How's that for "correct"?
2014-12-16 08:32:40 · answer #4 · answered by Dr Yes level 9 since 1999 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say "Merry Christmas" as I am a Christian and that is what I believe and wish for others. I get tired of all of these people telling me what to say and not to say, "You can't say "Merry Christmas" because it might offend someone. There are plenty of things in the world today that cause me to pause due to it's bad smell, look, wording or whever, but it's not for me to tell someone - "Hey! Take off that perfume, it offends me." GET REAL!
I say "Merry Christmas" and don't support any ideas of censorship or conformism. We are who we are, people need to stop trying to change us to what feels good and doesn't bother others:
"Holiday" concert istead of Christmas, "Holiday" break instead of Christmas, etc.
My best to all however you celebrate the time.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, & God bless America.
2006-11-29 11:05:00 · answer #5 · answered by Alan P. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg. why can't we just say merry christmas to people that celebrate christmas, happy hannukah to our jewish friends...etc, etc... so, most people celebrate christmas. i'm trying to figure out why stores are refusing to cater to christmas celebrating individuals. they make up most of the market. (money is always motivational) not to mention, i think it's more offensive to the christmas people to get rid of anything specific to christmas than it is to say merry christmas in spite of other celebrations going on. and, last year, on various television networks, they would put holiday greetings in between shows like they usually do. but, they had one that was simply "happy holidays" and another (i'm not kidding, the same network) that said specifically, "happy hannukah". so, i want to know why it's okay to say that, but not merry christmas. and, why is this an issue all of a sudden? how many DECADES did we have of throwing christmas around all over the place without any "i'm offended" law suits. i think, some idiots realized they could make some money by claiming offense and filing suit so they just ruined it for everyone. i'm not offended when i see a mennorah (check the spelling on that). i don't demand that they rename it to "holiday candle holder". COME ON! and it seems like the majority is really sick of seeing christmas getting stifled. what do we have to do to bring it back?
2006-11-28 23:58:29 · answer #6 · answered by practicalwizard 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Happy Holidays to you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.
2006-11-28 23:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by linda c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're a Christian, then say Merry Christmas with your head held high. If you're Jewish then say Happy Hanukkah loud and clear. Don't be ashamed of what you believe in. Our free society fought long and hard to give us that right. Be proud of what you are. And should someone say it you and you're not of that religion, then smile big and say right back at them as sign of respect.
Be Happy!! It's the holidays!!!
2006-11-29 01:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by vmmhg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I'm saying "Merry Christmas", now and always!
2006-11-28 23:45:35 · answer #9 · answered by bookfreak2day 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes just say happy holidays
2006-11-28 23:50:20 · answer #10 · answered by Angela Vicario 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋