How are the stores I described in my last question any differant from stores that only recognize Christmas?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061209092802AAvWWiz&r=w
Some of you said that you would not shop in a store that only recognized Hanukkah or Yule, but you almost demand that stores ONLY recognize Christmas.
How is this fair?
2006-12-09 04:38:34 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
hello, that does not answer my question.
2006-12-09 04:40:43 · update #1
Terry S, Christmas isn't the only winter holiday one might want to buy presents for. And we're also talking about grocery stores and such here, places that people need to shop in, even if they arn't buying presents. That's the whole point.
2006-12-09 04:49:24 · update #2
impossble_dream, I agree that Christians should be allowed to say Merry CHristmas and diplay a nativity, but what I'm talking about is the Christians who get all bent out of shape if a store employee says "Happy Holidays" to them.
2006-12-09 04:51:12 · update #3
They're not any different, because Christmas is also rooted in pagan celebration. Here's proof:
The Encyclopedia Americana informs us: “The reason for establishing December 25 as Christmas is somewhat obscure, but it is usually held that the day was chosen to correspond to pagan festivals that took place around the time of the winter solstice, when the days begin to lengthen, to celebrate the ‘rebirth of the sun.’ . . . The Roman Saturnalia (a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to the renewed power of the sun), also took place at this time, and some Christmas customs are thought to be rooted in this ancient pagan celebration.”—(1977), Vol. 6, p. 666.
The New Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges: “The date of Christ’s birth is not known. The Gospels indicate neither the day nor the month . . . According to the hypothesis suggested by H. Usener . . . and accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun). On Dec. 25, 274, Aurelian had proclaimed the sun-god principal patron of the empire and dedicated a temple to him in the Campus Martius. Christmas originated at a time when the cult of the sun was particularly strong at Rome.”—(1967), Vol. III, p. 656.
2006-12-09 04:40:14 · answer #1 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not fair. Generally speaking, however, I think most people, whether Christian or not, couldn't care less if a store says "Happy Hanukkah" so long as it also says "Merry Christmas." Addressing Christmas shoppers directly seems to make sense for merchants since most of the people spending huge amounts of money in their stores during the month of September are shopping for Christmas presents. Likewise, I don't think most non-Christians are offended by being wished "Merry Christmas," either. The choice of some stores to avoid saying "Merry Christmas" is in response to perceived political correctness that doesn't really even exist.
As a non-Christian, I have no problem with seeing "Merry Christmas" signs up in stores throughout the month of December. Nor do I care if store employees wish me "Merry Christmas" on December 24 or 25. But before then, doesn't it make more sense to wish people "Happy Holidays" than "Merry Christmas"? Is it absolutely necessary to say "Merry Christmas" every day for the entire month of December in order to avoid pissing off Christians who want their holiday to be specifically mentioned? Surely having Christmas signs up and wishing them "Merry Christmas" ON CHRISTMAS DAY and perhaps Christmas Eve should be enough.
The thing that does bother me a little is that most of these Christians would get their panties in a huge wad if these same stores also wished pagans "Happy Sawhain" in October or "Happy Ramadan" during the Muslim Holy month. But then again, there's not really much of a reason for stores to openly recognize Muslim or Pagan holidays because Muslims and Pagans don't go out and spend a bazillion dollars on crap when their holidays come around.
The only time I might be offended by an excessive celebration of Christmas or Easter or any other religious holiday is in a school or government office. I have no problem with individuals wearing Christmas/Easter/Halloween jewelry or clothing, or with an individual having a FEW discrete decorations on their own desk. But when the Town Hall or the State Senate or the Supreme Court goes out of its way to hang Christmas decorations & a tree and to put Christian symbols all over the place at Christmas time, it is showing preference to a single religion over all others, which is forbidden by the constitution. If they want to put up a Christmas tree, fine, but then they should also put out a menorrah for Hanukkah and a crescent moon for Ramadan, assuming they have even one Jew or Muslim in their city, state, or nation. Note that this doesn't the White House; it's a private home and can be decorated for the holidays the President celebrates.
2006-12-09 05:20:25 · answer #2 · answered by magistra_linguae 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not fair or right, but I'm not one of those people. This is the U.S. where we are free to believe in whatever we want to or don't want to. Christianity has been and still is the dominant religion. Granted it would be much better if EVERYONE could realize that other religions also have celebrations this time of year and adopt the more generic "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays"; however, I don't see that happening anytime soon since SOME Christians want to shove their religion on everyone else. I'm an Episcopalian and I get told by some Christians that I'm going to hell because of that. I do my utmost to respect all religions and all the different sects of those religions, but I expect the same amount of respect for mine in turn. Unfortunately, some of the loudest voices in this country don't feel that way, and that's why all the Bill O'Reillys shout about a war on Christmas.
2006-12-09 04:49:10 · answer #3 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think it is fair. some stores are Jewish owned, some Christian owned, Muslim and so on. It is up to you if you want to shop in there or not. There is nothing in the law that states that a store cannot sell/recognize only one religion or culture. Think about it, we have stores like that already even restaurants. Chinese, Mexican, Italian. There are stores that only sell African attire and Kwanzaa products. Your questions is pretty vague and more directed at despise for Christianity. Dont you see the various cultural stores where you live? When did this really become an issue?
2006-12-09 10:54:47 · answer #4 · answered by ♣DreamDancer♣ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and I dont "demand" anyone to celebrate anything. I dont think any of us do. I dont care one bit if a store supplies needs for other holidays. If you celebrate Hanukka or Ramadan or Kwanzaa or any holiday... enjoy.If you don't celebrate any holidays... thats fine too. Waht we don't like is everyone telling us not to say "Christmas" or display a nativity scene because we might offend someone. If someone is offended by this, thats their problem. None of the holidays are in celebration of hate or violence so there should be no law prohibbitng anyone from celebrating either one to their fullest.
I could see if a holiday included signs like "Happy Jew Killing" or "Happy Pagan Hating" or maybe someone having a statue of someone hanging a slave. If people have a problem seeing a manger then they need to see a psychiatrist.
2006-12-09 04:48:19 · answer #5 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I shop at any store as I have need to.
Thats the power of capitalism, if we collectively do not like a store, it goes away or changes.
Whether a store advocates any particular holiday or not, to me, is mostly irrelevant.
Fairness is also irrelevant. Is it fair the stores with higher prices go under while those with lower ones stay?
What is right and just is not often fair.
2006-12-09 04:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by Archer Christifori 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a store has what I want or need, I'll shop there regardless if they recognize Yule, Hanukkaah, Christmas, or ignore the season all together.
I dont understand why people will boycott buisnesses, and put small ones out of buisness simply because their religious stances do not align.
2006-12-09 04:51:26 · answer #7 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is isn't really? I've seen stores that have nothing to do with Christianity put crosses or fish on their signs, and I just don't get it. I don't have a problem with them being Christian-friendly, but it feels like they are putting out their "Christian Signal" for their exclusive club. It's silly.
If I put up a sign that read, "Agnostics welcome," it'd raise a fuss. If I put up a star of David, someone would instantly think of the Nazis. I'm not saying that person would be smart, just saying it would happen.
I don't see why it happens. I really don't get it. I've intentionally avoided businesses like this because I feel they are bringing in religion where it doesn't belong.
2006-12-09 04:44:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
honestly I do not care either way if I need something I need it. They can yell out all the good cheers they want. As long as they do not tell me to go *&#! myself or beat me when I walk in the store, I am fine with their greeting what ever it may be. Does not make a difference, I could care less if they say merry Christmas or not.
2006-12-09 04:42:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im a Christian and I think it is all to comercialiized and has to do with the al,mighty dollar and very few care what its all about , What I dont understand is why do all thse people that have no love for Christ put themselves thrue so much christmas shopping for something they really dont like are believe in
2006-12-09 04:47:04 · answer #10 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋