What's with this Christmas nonsense?

Question

I'm Dutch, I don't live in the USA. I see all these questions and answers on here about Christmas greetings and the rants about them.

Anybody willing to explain it me? Is it really true that people in the USA care about who celebrates Christmas, who uses 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' and vice versa?

Do you at least realize how blessed/marry/happy your live is if you can argue about such trivial nonsense?

Answer 1

I live in Canada - I understand your confusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_christmas

Basically, yes - people in America are fighting over whether to use "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" this time of year.

I say maybe we can just all agree to not say anything in reference to the religious season, and just wish each other to have a good day, like we do for the other 10 months of the year. Maybe people can stop being so ridiculous.

And you're right - it is a privilege to argue about such nonsense. Praise free speech.

Answer 2

The whole stink about the word "Christmas" is largely a tactic for increasing ratings of right-wing media outlets. These outlets convince Christians that their religion is beleaguered and under attack by "secularists", and that when people say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", it's part of that attack. Fox News made a huge deal out of that last year, and of course it'll persist.

The fact of the matter is that people and organizations choose to say "Happy Holidays" because they think it's a way to avoid alienating people of religious faiths other than Christianity. It has nothing whatsoever to do with "secularism", and you'd have a heck of a time finding any atheist who will say that he or she is offended by the phrase "Merry Christmas". Several times people here on Y!A have asked atheists to explain why they find that phrase offensive, and in response found that we simply don't. Fox News tells you that we do, but that's nothing but a simple lie on their part. People who fell for it should be ashamed of themselves.

Yes, I agree that people who can find the time to be concerned about that kind of trivia must not know how good they have it in life.

Merry Christmas.

Answer 3

I refuse to care what it is called. The Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/ love your fellow man season is for everyone.

I usually call it Christmas, I have a tree because they're pretty, they smell nice, and I like them, and I eat Christmas dinner. Yay me. And whether I do so or not is of no concern to certain people who can't think of why an atheist might do such a thing without their brains overheating.

Answer 4

Fabulous!

I have had many Christians snap, "You mean Merry CHRISTMAS!!" when I wish them Happy Holidays.

CHRISTMAS IS A HOLIDAY!

Any person who wishes to can celebrate it!

I'm not black but I honor Dr. King on Martin Luther King's birthday!

Haul out the holly, put up that tree and have a glass of egg nog, everyone!

: )

Answer 5

Virgin Mobile made a campaign a few years back, ending all holiday phrases by combining all the holidays into one.

Happy Christmahannukwanzikah represents Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa all in one term, so no one can say that their holiday isn't represented.

Answer 6

I'm American and I can't even explain it. I know some people want the Christian Holidays to be toned down, some even want them banned... but that's usually in direct response to the Christians complaining about us Pagans having Holidays, like Halloween. So it turns into a huge bickering match and it gets down to what is Politically Correct to say and what isn't.

As for me, I couldn't care less what someone says during the Holidays, just so they get out of my way so I can get what I'm shopping for and get the hell out of the store. *wink*

Answer 7

It isn't nonsense

Many companies here have actually banned their employees from even SAYING "Merry Christimas" to customers because it MIGHT offend someone who isn't a Christian or even someone who believes in Christ.
They don't care about the many many millions of us who DO care.

My opinion.......if you don't want to celebrate CHRISTmas you should go to work on that day.........CHRISTmas is the celebration of the day of Jesus' birth......There is no other reason for the Holiday

So...........sure......Many use "Happy Holidays" innocently enough but many use it simply to push Christ out of His own birthday.

Most of my circle of friends refuse to shop at such stores.......

Maybe petty to you........but very serious to many of us...we don't consider it "trivial nonsense"

You have a Merry CHRISTmas

Answer 8

If you are Dutch what is the evidence you exist? I heard that the Dutch do not exist. I can quote the Lord's prayer backwards but that doesn't even impress my wife. You are Dutch, yet there are no Dutch. This has me stumped.
Hold on, there's someone at the door

Answer 9

actual, the Christians switched over Saturnalia to Christmas, in an attempt to "purify" a pagan holiday. Jesus the Christ grow to be no longer born at midwinter, yet in the time of spring. And Saturnalia grow to be a holiday long formerly Jesus grow to be born.

Answer 10

The point is, to Americans, Christmas is just for presents. That's how it goes. It was created to celebrate Jesus, not the Hess truck.