Are you going to opt for the exclusive or the inclusive greeting?
2007-10-07 12:12:24 · 32 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a Christian, and to people outside of my own church, I'll be saying "Happy Holidays". I have many atheist, Pagan, Jewish, Muslim, and other non-Christian friends, acquaintances, and co-workers, and have no interest in alienating all of them with a greeting that's specific to my own beliefs but fails to acknowledge theirs. There's more than one winter holiday, and I have no problem acknowledging that.
2007-10-07 12:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Actually - I think the phrase "Happy Holidays" encompasses all of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I say "Merry Christmas" and I don't think it offends anyone I say it too (as most don't have any idea that I'm a Christian anyway). I wish blessings on those whom I know to be Christian.
I've also noticed that most people don't mind being "blessed" or having been wished a "merry Christmas". Perhaps it's becoming more of an accepted term for the season as society slowly moves toward religious ambiguity and association of the more secular 'gift giving' season and santa with the word Christmas? I really don't want to say "happy gift giving season" LOL
Just a thought. And don't forget I'm Canadian
blessings ((((zero))))
:)
2007-10-07 12:50:14 · answer #2 · answered by Ramjet 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why would "Merry Christmas", which has been considered "inclusive" for centuries, suddenly be "exclusive"?
I don't get all bent out of shape if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah, or a "Merry Yuletide", or "Happy Kwanzaa", or any other greeting. I don't get upset if I see a menorah displayed in a public place, or any other symbol of someone else's faith. Isn't everyone entitled to their belief? Wouldn't someone wishing me happiness according to their heartfelt beliefs be a good thing?
Why would anyone be upset if I wished them a Merry Christmas? After all, it has been "Merry Christmas" for all of my fifty seven years...it would be rather hard to change up now. It is not that I intend to insult someone who does not believe in my faith...it is intended as a wish for their good health and happiness.
Don't you think people are getting a bit overly sensitive about this? Why can't people simply accept the good feelings that people have during this time of the year, no matter what faith they may be?
And isn't it a bit early for the Grinch to come creeping out of his cave? As he learned, no matter how hard you try, you cannot keep Christmas from coming...
2007-10-07 13:38:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Merry Christmas!
2007-10-07 12:36:44 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie W 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'll go with Merry Christmas. But I live in a community that actually celebrates diversity, not one that gets offended by it. There's more Buddhists here than Christians, and I've never known anyone to get up in arms about other people's beliefs and cultures here. We all celebrate each others' big events, anyways.
Peace and (((hugGs)))
2007-10-07 14:06:39 · answer #5 · answered by Orpheus Rising 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, yes, it's nearly time for the squabbling over who "owns" December again.
To those I know to be Christians, I wish them a Merry Christmas. To those I know to be Jewish, I wish them a Happy Chanukah. To those I know to be Humanists, I wish them a Happy HumanLight. To those I know to be Neopagan, I wish them a Happy Yule. For all others, or when I'm in a group that's likely to include adherents of numerous faiths, I always say Happy Holidays. It's polite to recognize that numerous groups have holidays around the same time. The wish should be tailored to those to whom it is directed, not a statement of what I personally believe.
2007-10-07 13:36:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To Jews I say "Happy Hannukah"
to believing Christians"Christ is born! Glorify Him! (Christos Rojdaiyetsya! Slavite Yeho!)
to everybody else "Merry Christmas(to Americans) and Happy Christmas(to Irish, Indians and British)
If someone dislikes it i'll say "Then don't have a happy Christmas, if you are so determined"
When people wish me Happy Holidays I ask "Which ones? Arbor Day?Bank Holiday?" if I know them and "Same to you"if i do not.
"Happy Holidays" never bothered me until some secularists started to demand that Christians not say "Christmas" about a decade ago.
I say "Happy Christmas" to Muslims since Jesus is honored by them and His birth is not an issue.
2007-10-07 12:43:09 · answer #7 · answered by James O 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have always said Merry Christmas and will continue to do so. I am a Christian and if it offends someone I'm not sorry.
Yes we are a diverse nation but I will not change my greeting for them nor should they for me.
2007-10-07 14:04:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I'm in a situation where I know that the people I'm addressing celebrate Christmas, I'll say "Merry Christmas". If I know that they don't, or I'm unsure, I usually say "Happy Holidays".
2007-10-07 12:48:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I will be saying Happy Yule. But then Im Wiccan and that is my holiday.
Of course we all know that Jesus wasn't really born on December 25th...and Christmas is now just a commercial holiday.
So all hail commercialism and a Merry Christmas to you!
By the way why dont you all say Happy Birthday Jesus instead? I always wondered about that.
2007-10-07 12:27:58 · answer #10 · answered by brat_nic2 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I have been saying have a Merry Christmas, for over a month now, you should see so of the reactions I get.
2007-10-07 13:10:49 · answer #11 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋