Ok...so recently there was a question(a few minutes ago) and I got to thinking...2 years ago(I think) there was a big todo, mainly cause of Bill O'Reilly, that made a big deal out of "Happy Holidays" and not "Merry Christmas"....
But 2 years ago Christmas was also on the first day of Hanukkah...so when both religions were shopping and it wasn't always like shifts(where the Jews would shop earlier because their holiday was earlier). So doesn't it make sense because a lot of people of different faiths came in at the same time to just say Happy Holidays instead of trying to figure out if they're Jewish or not?
Anyway, I'm not offended at anytime when people tell me Happy Holidays because it's not THAT big of a deal...but I didn't like, however, that they weren't allowed to say Merry Christmas...
agree/disagree?
2007-08-20 23:50:33 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Robert, I've had someone say Happy hanukkah to me...I didn't mind.
And there are black Christians too you know...they can celebrate Christmas AND Kwanzaa...
2007-08-21 00:00:25 · update #1
Who cares?
2007-08-20 23:53:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 6⤋
I'm atheist and don't like Christmas so this is a difficult one for me. If someone wishes me a Merry Christmas than I will usually accept the well wishes at face value rather than trying to intuit what is behind the saying. However, I do think Happy Holidays is generally a better choice when you're dealing with people of unknown religious background. This is especially the case when Merry Christmas is used to indicate the season as a whole rather than a particular day.
As an aside, I am usually so tired of the Christmas/holiday season that by December 25 I want to crawl under a log to get away from the music, the commercials, and everyone's false cheeriness.
2007-08-21 00:00:01 · answer #2 · answered by Justin H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I work with the public and I say happy holidays, not because I was told to say one thing or the other but because I don't want to offend anybody of a different faith. You don't hear people walking around saying happy Hanukkah if they are not Jewish and that would offend them.
Happy Holidays is perfectly acceptable because unless they are wearing a cross / star of David /pentacle you don't know what faith they are.
2007-08-21 02:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an atheist with a slightly religious but non-practising family, I still celebrate christmas with them, just don't think of god since I don't believe. I simply think of helping others and being nice, and spending time with family. But I certainly wouldn't be offended if someone wished me Merry Christmas in the UK, since this country is supposed to be Christian. Of course people can have their own religions, but in a Christian country run by the church of england, they should take offense when the country celebrates a holiday.
2007-08-20 23:59:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
True story:
2 Xmases ago I was walking out of a Walmart and there was this older (late 50's early 60's) guy walking in . The greeter, a petite young woman of about 18 or so, smiled and wished him "Happy Holidays" in a very pleasant manner. He got right up in her face (he towered over her) and in a voice bordering on yelling he responded "It's MERRY CHRISTMAS, dammit! Why don't you say so?" and then walked into the store with a self-satisfied smirk on his face while the poor woman looked like she was about to cry.
And instead of rightfully seeing him as a self-righteous, ignorant bully, I suspect there are those who would see him as a poor, persecuted Christian defending his rights against some vast PC plot to criminalize Xmas.
Bottom line: I don't care WHAT greeting you use during any holiday season, as long as it is sincere and well-meant. Parroting some holiday phrase at me as a way of daring me to disapprove of your religious or political beliefs gets a hearty "Go **** yourself!" in return--and that goes for both "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Xmas"
2007-08-21 01:10:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do agree that "Happy Holidays" are more PC. However I dont agree that someone would need to change their sign outside because a few people were offended. I think it should be up to shop owner.
I clean for a guy that is Jewish and he tells people Merry Christmas. It's mainly because we live in the south and thats what we are used to. We run a little behind in everything.
Last year there was a big to do at a local McDonalds b/c there was a Christmas tree in the store it's self and the store posted "Merry Christmas" and a mother whom was Jewish demanded that it be taking down, including the Christmas tree and the owner refused. I was glad he didnt. Because it wasnt personaly assulting her....I felt like she wanted to make a big deal out of it.
Life is to short for people to worry about accomidating a few people.
2007-08-20 23:57:48 · answer #6 · answered by A little Southern Comfort 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Hm, that's a good point. I posted the other question :)
I'm okay if they tell me merry Christmas or happy anything. It doesn't bother me if I'm mistaken for another religion. I think people should be allowed to greet on the holidays how they like, and it's odd that anyone should get offended by someone wishing them well (even if the religion is different).
2007-08-20 23:54:52 · answer #7 · answered by mathaowny 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I can go either way on it. If a person or a business says Happy Holidays, fine. They are being inclusive and not wanting to offend. At the same time, I should be allowed to say Merry Christmas if I want.
Got irritated at the post office last year... asked for Christmas stamps. Postman "No, they are HOLIDAY stamps". After he showed them to me, I said, "Well I want the CHRISTMAS stamp with Mary and Jesus, not the HOLIDAY stamp with the snowman!" He wasn't too happy, but his coworker laughed!
2007-08-21 00:34:45 · answer #8 · answered by usafbrat64 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Same here...you're free to say Happy Holidays (don't want to force non-believers)
Where I draw the line is institutions saying this is about a season of peace and has no religious significance.
That makes as much sense to me as saying July 4th is about people coming immigrating to this country, and has nothing to do with the birth of this nation.
As for not allowing employees to say "Merry Christmas", I respect their choice to "Keep God outside"....and that's just where that green piece of paper with "In God We Trust" stays - outside.
2007-08-22 09:30:37 · answer #9 · answered by Last Stand 2010 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, What came first the chicken or the egg?
Both should be allowed, There would be no,
"Happy Holidays" Had their been no reason for the season.
Once again certain people like to conscrew, or have their cake and eat it too.
Peace
2007-08-21 00:03:29 · answer #10 · answered by jenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bill O'Reilly is an idiot and I'll never understand why people listen to his ridiculous ramblings.
I don't particularly care if people say "Merry Christmas" "Happy Holidays" or "Where's the toy aisle?" I'm still going to say "Blessed Yule" because the Christians stole it from us in the first place.
edit: it's thinking like Nancy L's that scares the crap out of non-Christian AMERICANS like me.
2007-08-21 00:00:23 · answer #11 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋