2006-12-10 11:54:12 · 46 answers · asked by Alex A 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Because we've become so scared of stepping on the toes of someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas in this age of Political Correctness, it's hard to find real people with guts to stand up for what they believe in.
Oh, btw-- Merry Christmas.
2006-12-10 12:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by Flea© 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Political Correctness rears its ugly head...
This would be great, if we lived somewhere where there was no one holiday that was more celebrated than the other. However, the truth is that most people in the United States, regardless of whether they are Christians or not, celebrate Christmas. It's a federal holiday, and most businesses are closed, regardless of the religious affiliation of the owners or employees.
However, since the phrase "Happy Holidays" appears to be the politically correct way of greeting someone this time of year, Christmas in a way looses some of its meaning.
Instead of being recognized as the day that Jesus Christ was born, it is now just another "holiday."
Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that other religious holidays are not important; I would see no problem in someone using the phrase "Happy Hanukkah" in a place with a large Jewish population.
While I am not Jewish, I would not take offense to this, I would expect it, since most people in that particular community would celebrate Hanukkah.
Think of it this way suppose Americans decided that rather than saying "Happy Independence Day" on July 4, we should say "Happy Summer Holiday" to avoid offending any native Canadians who may be listening. After all, their independence day is only a few days before July 4, so why not adopt a more generic form of celebrating national independence?
Additionally, the only major holiday between now and the end of the year is Christmas, yet we still continue to hear "Happy Holidays."
Even though both Ramadan and Hanukkah are over, people still feel the need to change Christmas from a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior to a "holiday."
Not even a specific holiday, just a "holiday."
To me, however, one of the most blatant anti-Christian forms of political correctness seems to occur every Christmas Day, when some newspapers run banners above the title on the front page saying either "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings."
Saying "Happy Holidays" during the month of December in place of "Merry Christmas" is annoying enough, but when reputable newspapers refuse to recognize it even on Dec, 25, it's an insult to Christians. It suggests newspaper don't even recognize it as Christmas, but instead just a randomly chosen day on which to proclaim winter cheer to their readers.
I can only assume that the reasoning must be that, in order to avoid offending someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas, people instead resort to a more generic expression. But why would someone get offended? What is so offensive about someone wishing someone else a good time on Dec. 25?
Again, if I were in a country where the majority of people celebrated a holiday other than Christmas, someone wishing me a "Happy Ramadan" or "Happy Hanukkah" would not offend me. I would take it as an expression of goodwill and leave it at that.
2006-12-10 12:22:46 · answer #2 · answered by keepmynameoutchamouth 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Despite what the Christian right would have you believe, people have not "started" saying Happy Holidays. Happy Holidays has been a traditional and valid seasonal greeting for hundreds of years--certainly far longer than the relatively new *Merry Christmas"
It's becoming more popular I think because people are trying to distance themselves from the narrow-minded bigots for whom "Merry Christmas" has changed from being a friendly greeting to a way of separating "Us" from "Them" in the mythical "War on Christmas".
It's also rather depressing that some peope's sincere attempts at politeness will always be derided by some as "political correctness". Political correctness is one of those terms that is so casually thrown around with little or no understanding of what it means except to excuse bigotry and selfishness.
Just because someone choses to adopt a position other than "I don't have to consider anyone else's feelings, beliefs, or background. It's up to them to conform to mine, and if anyone doesn't like it well that's just too bad!" does not make them politically correct--it makes them considerate.
2006-12-10 17:31:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure why this has become such an issue. Some people act as though anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas can be equated to an American traitor. While others treat those that do celebrate Christmas as heartless, religious fanatics.
Yes, this is a predominately Christian country, but also one that is supposed to tolerate all religions. It shouldn't be a problem to say either phrase to anyone...it also shouldn't be a problem to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, Good Yule Tidings, or a Joyous Kwanzaa.
Everyone just needs to get over it and celebrate this time of year as one of hope and love for others rather than one of animosity and who's position is right. All that said, I hope everyone has a good holiday season...whichever religion you follow (if at all.)
2006-12-10 12:28:06 · answer #4 · answered by Brian W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because these days, America has such an obsession with being "politically correct", and worry that someone that doesn't celebrate Christmas might get offended. However, this country was founded on Christianity, and the majority of Americans still do celebrate Christmas--so it's acceptable to say, "Merry Christmas"! I celebrate Christmas, but if someone was to say "Happy Hanukkah" to me, I wouldn't be offended, I would just know that that is their holiday and they were only wanting to spread holiday cheer to me.
2016-05-23 03:24:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people seem to get worked up easily about things that are either largely irrelevant or incidental, or that they do not really understand. This seems to be the case with some religious folk when the topic is an aspect of Christianity that is personally important to them.
For example, around Christmas each year there are always those who loudly decry the use of the abbreviation "Xmas" as some kind of blasphemy against Christ and Christianity. This concern has been elevated recently with the public debates about manger scenes and the substitution of "holiday" for Christmas in stores and government venues. Among religious folks, the objection to Xmas is usually along the line that people have taken Christ out of Christmas and replaced him with an unknown
2006-12-10 11:59:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Merry Christmas derived from Christianity I think. and many of those who are not Christans are offended by the term Merry Christmas as a Holiday greeting. Such groups like Jews and Muslim have complain about it and many more of those non-Christans people too, I guess. Not to mention of Boxing day and New years day, and Christmas day all come at time of a month that are close approximate to each other by days which we started saying Happy Holidays in stead of each event all at once. You imagin saying Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Boxing day to you all at once. It is easier to say Happy Holidays to account for all of the Holidays at that time of year.
2006-12-10 12:11:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because 1) not everyone is a Christian and therefore do not celebreate the birth of Christ and 2) it covers all of the holiday's that fall with in Thanksgiving and New years.... it's a pain in the butt to sit there and say "Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year" all in one shot....do you do it?
2006-12-10 12:06:14 · answer #8 · answered by mahree 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because, there people like me who do not celebrate christmas. I celebrate Channukah.
Christmas isnt the only holiday in December. Theres Christmas, Kwanza, and Channukah.
So by saying Happy Holidays, you are including all holidays, not just Christmas.
Its a nice way to be respectful to every religion and not focus the month of December on just Christmas.
2006-12-10 11:59:45 · answer #9 · answered by xopiink523 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They have changed their phrase because people with different relions celebrate different holidays so if they say "Merry Christmas" to somebody that person might not celebrate christmas.Hope that answers your questions and have a nice day!!!Also, Merry christmas and a happy New Year!!
2006-12-10 11:58:45 · answer #10 · answered by alwyzlol 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say Merry Christmas but I've noticed that they say Happy Holidays.
Perhaps they are starting to believe that Christmas is not the only holiday some of the people celebrate in December. I only celebrate Christmas in December
2006-12-10 11:56:23 · answer #11 · answered by Cuddly Lez 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋