they say it's politically incorrect to say Merry Christmas, and we should say Happy Holidays, but if people take it offensively, then i take it offensively that i cannot speak what i believe freely.
ex.
some people dont believe in it, so they preach what they believe in so that we dont say it,
but to say Christ or God or Jesus in a positive way is frowned upon.
then there's the people who use the Holy name in vain, and it's okay to the world, but it's offensive to me so isn't this a two way street?
couldn't i say, "i take offense in that because i am a Christian."
2006-12-25 07:01:50 · 38 answers · asked by Love 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i would not be offended if someone told me "Happy Kwanzaa" or Happy anything else. it is what you believe! i am just confused at how people can be possibly offended that we say Merry Christmas. you can say Happy Kwanzaa to me, but it doesn't mean I'll say it back and it doesn't mean that i'm forcing you to say Merry Christmas to me if i say it to you. i agree that it's the thought that counts. as Christians, we need to demand equal time, my dad is always telling me how we need more of that. if someone says "GD!" "F*YOU" whatever, demand equal time! "God Bless You" "Praise the Lord" "Halleluja!"
everyone is free to believe what they want, no one is being forced to believe otherwise. however; if you believe in cussing and using God's name in vain, and i dont, if i have to hear you using God's name in vain then you can hear me Praising Him!
it's all the same for using Merry Christmas!
God Bless
2006-12-26 06:39:50 · update #1
7ou make a great point. The very same people who no not want to hear Merry Christmas, are all for hearing GD in their tubes in movies. They apparently think it's OK for them to trash the names of our firend but if we want to say positive thingsd regarding our friends then thay hassle us for it. This is not freedom of speach this is prejudice. I think we should just ignore them say Merry Christmas put up keshes where we want and pray in school. We need not say what we are doing it is up to them to prove we are doing somethign wrong a trudge through court. After a while they will get tired of all this social disobediance and like when Danial prayed in the window, God will reward us. Stand up for what you believe and accept the persecution. Persecution is good for us. Builds character. Gives us an opportuity to support one another.
2006-12-25 07:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by ronnysox60 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
When you say "Merry Christmas" to people, you assume a lot, because not everyone celebrates Christmas. There are people of other faiths who celebrate differently. There are also non-believers who do not celebrate at all. I find that non-believers do an awful lot less preaching, because preaching would stand in contradiciton of their own world view. There is a nice way and a nasty way to do everything. When I am wished a Merry Christmas or someone says "God Bless You", I smile, but I don't say it back. I think about what would be a sincere good wish for them, like "Enjoy your trip, you work so hard you really deserve it" or "I hope your holidays are happy and peaceful". There's no need for me to bring Christ into it...all that matters to me is whether I make other people feel good, or bad.
2006-12-25 07:55:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you say Merry Christmas, you assume that the other person celebrates Christmas — often a fair bet, but not as guaranteed as it once was. As the religious pluralism of America increases, so must the sensitivity of its citizens. The fewer traditional Christians there are around, the less people can assume that everyone is celebrating the usual Christian holidays & doing the usual Christian things. It’s impolite to make assumptions about people you don’t know.
Some people are turning the phrase Merry Christmas into a fetish, something done for its own sake instead of using it as a sincere greeting. It’s an aggressive statement about one’s own identity that is thrown in the face of others as a challenge or even an insult. It’s not about defending religious meaning in Christmas, but defending a religious identity & a set of traditional privileges.
2006-12-26 06:01:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think of saying "happy holidays" is a courtesy. a lot of people do no longer celebrate Christmas. in case you're striking out with a gaggle of people who celebrate Christmas, of path you may wish them a happy christmas, however in case you're around people of mixed faiths, the courteous part of say is happy holidays. So sure, in concept, wishing all people a Merry Christmas, isn't suited. i don't understand why all people desires to get all people else on their practice. regardless of the festive nature of the season, how could you sense in case you probably did no longer celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa and hundreds of people wanted you a happy one in each of those eluding that your person faith replaced into of little if any magnitude? i think of all people could wish Christians a Merry Christmas, Jews a happy Hanukkah, and Black people who celebrate it, a happy Kwanzaa (I say it that way by using fact I even have some friends that do celebrate it and others that don't). while i'm doubtful, I ask the guy. i could extremely show my fellow human the honor that i understand my ideals are not the only ones in this united states of america than make an assumption that i'm no longer offending somebody.
2016-10-18 23:37:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also think this is a silly thing to be offended about.
Let's get this straight once and for all okay? Whatever it is that someone says to you, be it Merry Christmas or Happy Hanakkuh or Blessed Ramaden (if that's what they say) or Joyful Kwanzaa, it is up to you personally if you take offense.
No one can offend you with words unless they are lying or slandering you, in which case you have recourse in the courts. But to wish you a Happy/Merry/Whoopee anything doesn't count in that aspect. If you want to take offense, then so be it, be offended.
If you want to run around and be offended, then that is your choice in this life. But it's not mine.
2006-12-25 07:21:27 · answer #5 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I agree. Merry Christmas to you!
I personally find the statement Happy Holidays offensive and a slap in the face. I'll celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ and they can have their Happy Holiday, at least while they still can!
2006-12-25 07:13:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If someone told me "Happy Kwanzaa" would I get angry? NO!
I have the freedom of speech and beliefs so I'll take that upon myself to use them.
Today's society is overreactive and selfish. If I was to just glance over at certain black people, oh crap, I'm dead!
Who cares? Ignore them! They're just a bunch of stupid scrooges. Some people actually get sued by saying " Merry Christmas" b/c it means they're 'trying to convert the non-christian into christianity'.
I'm serious! Well, Merry Christmas!
-Secil
p.s. *no offense, thease are just my beliefs and outlooks.
2006-12-25 10:50:24 · answer #7 · answered by Laurel Creekian¿ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Christian, yet I'm bothered when people get all upset and demand that "Happy Holidays" be said instead of "Merry Christmas." When somebody wishes me "Merry Christmas," I receive no offense. "Merry Christmas" is a well-meant message; I do not see how a well-intended message should truly be able to offend a non-Christian. I know several Jews and Muslims who are told "Merry Christmas" and they feel the same way. Christmas is not their holiday necessarily, but the old cliche applies: "It's the thought that counts."
2006-12-25 07:05:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Who is this "they" you refer to, the ones that say it's "politically incorrect" to say merry christmas?
I've never met "they"...
It's not politically incorrect. And despite what some hardcore right-wing radio hosts have been blathering, nobody is forcing anybody not to say it. Some *COMMERCIAL COMPANIES* decided, all on their own, that they didn't want to alienate their jewish and non-christian customers at the time of year they make lots of money, so they decided to change to "happy holidays" all on their own. It was a decision made all about MONEY, nothing else.
You can say anything you darn well please to anybody. BUT...think about this: if you KNOW somebody is jewish, and you KNOW they don't celebrate christmas or even believe in it, why in the world would you say that to them? Can't you be just a little bit tolerant and try "happy holidays" instead? But hey, it's up to you -- nobody is going to force you one way or the other.
Now, if a government office or organization spends money on christmas stuff, and insists on celebrating christmas with MY tax money -- especially to the inclusion of all others who have holidays at this time of year -- then we have a problem. That's government helping to establish a particular religion, and that's unconstitutional.
You, as a private citizen, and stores as private companies, can do anything you want to.
Happy Solstice :)
2006-12-25 07:09:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Politically incorrect....
Spirituality is a personal experience. You sound so exclusive saying "Merry Christmas" and there are folks who feel that you are "excluding" their beliefs, rather than including them.
We are in an age where everyone should be part of the total experience. We all should be included in the greater family of humanity. And we should be considerate enough to include them as well.
By getting "specific", by saying "Happy this" or "Merry that" you leave the impression with some folks that you are not including them in that greater, warmer and more caring feeling that we all are looking to share at this time of year. Holiday Cheer, remember that? Or, maybe you can relate to "Christmas Cheer" better?
Take a moment and stop being the persecuted. Try looking at the bigger picture out there, the totality that is "all humanity".
Then look to what your petty argument for being "exclusive" is all about - it says more "me me me" than "us us us".
So, pause, reflect, and think about "inclusion" rather than "exclusion" and then ask your question again.
Why does everyone feel they have to point out specifically that their holiday is being celebrated when so many are celebrated at this time of year, and why is it they don't feel the need to try to include anyone else by using a greeting that "includes" all humanity.
Happy Holidays to you all!
2006-12-25 07:20:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't bother me. What DOES bother me is when Christians insist that other people say Merry Christmas.
If a Christian says to me, "Merry Christmas," I'll say it back to them. No problem.
So, if I wanna say Happy Holidays, or Merry Mithrasmas, or Happy Hanukkah, then they should be willing to respond in kind as well. Simple.
I also don't think that the people working at Wal Mart, or in any other place of employment or public venue, should have to say Merry Christmas if they don't want to. They should be able to express their individual beliefs as they see fit just as Christians do.
The whole thing is rather silly to me, but I can see where I might be offended if I were a Jew and my employer told me I had to say Merry Christmas rather than Happy Hannukah. The middle ground between the two is Happy Holidays, and therefore it makes sense.
2006-12-25 07:05:04 · answer #11 · answered by Snark 7 · 8⤊ 2⤋