Why can't they just take it in the spirit it was meant?
2006-12-14 10:13:15 · 17 answers · asked by Warrior Poet 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
I think that some people are trying to deny that Jesus has anything to do with Christmas. They are trying to take Christ out of Christmas. No matter how hard we try, we can't change the true meaning of Christmas. It's a time of year where a majority of people do believe in the story of Jesus, born in a manger to the virgin Mary. It's a time everyone can get together and be nice to each other, no matter what they believe. There are some people who insist on letting somebody know just how they feel about the whole thing. Hopefully we can have a joyous Christmas this year with family and friends having a nice time. It's nice if we can remember our Lord and Savior on the anniversary of his birth. I hope they can take it in the spirit it was meant too.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
2006-12-14 10:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by Barbra 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
All paranoid Christian ranting to the contrary, I've never encountered anyone who is offended by being wished a "Merry Christmas".
I have, on the other hand, seen many people get offended and uptight at being wished any greeting OTHER than "Merry Christmas". Shouldn't they just take it in the spirit it was meant, too?
Happy Holidays to everyone, everywhere!
2006-12-15 02:06:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There seem to be two reasons. The first is that there are some insensitive clods who will wish a person a Merry Christmas even when they know the person is not Christian. (I have a co-worker who is like that.)
The second is that people in America are too thin-skinned to accept a heart-felt wish for peace and love if it's not specific to the recepient's religion. Folks don't seem to be so intolerant in this respect in Europe.
For myself, if I know the person is Christian (a Santa hat or holiday pin is a good tip-off), I'll say Merry Christmas; if Jewish, it's Happy Chanukah. For people I don't know, I sometimes say Happy Holidays, but if I detect a sense of fun, I'll quote Mrs. Dilber from the 1951 version of 'A Christmas Carol': Merry Christmas, if it ain't out o' keepin' with the sich-you-why-shun!
2006-12-14 23:48:41 · answer #3 · answered by JelliclePat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People DO get so easily offended these days. Look at all the controversy we have over posting the ten commandments, having "in God we trust" on our money, etc. Society is so overly-sensitive it seems as if most people think everyone is out to offend them personally. In their mind, you didn't say "Merry Christmas" in a spirit of holiday generosity, you were being a close-minded as*hole because it never occurred to you that they may not celebrate Christmas. But then again, we live in a very diverse society. Maybe "Happy Holidays" would have a better result.
2006-12-14 18:25:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Christmas is a Christian holiday, and people who aren't Christian don't observe or believe in Christmas. I happen to be Jewish, and the beliefs of Christianity and the story of Christmas go against the most basic concepts and beliefs of Judaism. So as a Jew, it offends me and taints my "Jewish integrity" for someone to imply that I might be a Christian or share those beliefs, or to link me in any way to Christianity.
If you don't know someones religion, why can't you just say "Happy Holidays"? By the way, the "spirit it was meant" is good only if you don't know that it could be offensive. Since you obviously know that some people might get offended, I would say that the "spirit it was meant" is one of the attitude that "I'm a Christian, the majority of us are Christians, so if you have a problem with that, it's just too bad".
To me that is a very mean spirited way to go about doing things. Doing things in a good spirit would mean respecting the religions and beliefs (or non-beliefs) of others.
The problem with religion in general (and this includes my religion to some extent) is that people expect everyone else to do things they way they do things. The world would be a much better and more peaceful place if people worried only about how they live their lives and their own religious beliefs and morality, instead of worrying about how others live their lives. Wishing everyone "Merry Christmas" is similar - you are basically saying that everyone should be celebrating Christmas because you celebrate Christmas.
2006-12-15 01:02:05 · answer #5 · answered by Alan S 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a depressing time of year for some people. They may be missing loved ones who can't be around for one reason or another. So , maybe what seems offensive, is not for religious reasons.
Go ahead, and wish everyone a "Merry Christmas", especially if you do. no harm-no foul.
I decided this year to wish everyone a "Merry Christmas".
Why not! Even to my Jewish friends, they celebrate two Holidays this time of year Christmas/ Hanukkah.
By the way.......Have yourself....a "MERRY CHRISTMAS"
2006-12-14 18:37:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Probably the same reason they changed the tree in Michigan to the 'Holiday Tree' rather than the Christmas tree. Me and my brother were talking and said, well how do you know what holiday? Is it the Valentine's tree? Halloween tree? Holiday doesn't really cover it.
Also, if we change that what's going to happen to people singing carols? Are we going to have to change that for Atheists too? 'Oh Holiday Tree' just doesn't have the same ring to it. Or 'We Wish You A Merry Holiday'.
My point here is that Christmas has 'Christ' in it, and some people are going to be offended that you assume they are associated with this. Never mind the fact that you are just being friendly.
People today are just so uptight and we cater to their needs too often. There's better things to worry about. Why don't you go kick some reindeer and burn a wreath? Geesh. ;)
2006-12-14 18:23:39 · answer #7 · answered by unique2477 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
it looks like those scrooges need to sing a christmas carol
because they hate "merry christmas"
2006-12-14 18:25:21 · answer #8 · answered by Whats my name? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Warrior,
I think you will only find this among the non-Christians and the very liberal left!!
You gotta be PC these days you know!
So MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS!
Semper fi
CJ
2006-12-14 18:26:56 · answer #9 · answered by CommanderJim 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because christmas is a christian holiday, you should just say happy holidays which includes all holidays for all religions. and i'm not a "liberal left", actually i'm quite conservative. it's just that a lot of people in our country don't celebrate x-mas so it's just better to be safe than sorry.
2006-12-14 18:22:27 · answer #10 · answered by divamommy_4 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋