Why or why not?
2007-10-21 07:28:14 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good answers so far. I just want to add that I prefer to use "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." To me, it is about respecting the other person. I don't want to assume that you are Christian. Maybe you're Jewish, or Pagan, or Muslim, etc. Would you wish a Catholic a happy Hanuka? So, if I know someone is Pagan I will say, "Happy Yule." If I know they are Jewish, I will say, "Happy Hanuka." If I know they are Christian, I will say,"Merry Christmas." If I don't know, I will say, "Happy Holidays." It's not about political correctness, it's about respecting the other person's faith.
Now, recently there's been this myth circulated that there's a "War on Christmas," and as a result the meaning of "Merry Christmas" has changed somewhat. As one of you pointed out, some Christians are using the phrase belligerently and defensively. Like, "this is American, convert to Christianity, or get out!" It's OK, you can still have Christmas. Just let me have Yule.
2007-10-23 12:41:10 · update #1
It doesn't offend me at all because I'm an Atheist and "Christmas" is synonymous with a particular set of beliefs that are self-destructive, threatening, and therefore immoral. But if someone were to say, "Merry Christmas," I wouldn't take it personally, I'd just feel sorry for them, and wary.
I usually call the holiday Yule, because I'm Norwegian and the word hearkens back to a winter solstice type festivals that preceded Christianity, and were blended with it, much to its detriment. The original holiday is a time marking the middle of winter, when one's stores of food were running out, and so everyone got together to share and bolster each other's supplies, so that everyone could live through the winter, because they needed each other.
It's not a day to acknowledge an impossibly fantastic story as if it were true. With the sole purpose of manipulating people into accepting mindless nonsense. No one has time for that garbage anymore.
2007-10-21 07:40:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
While the social engineers have done a good job of ridding the Christmas holiday of any of it's religious meaning, it is still recognized as a stat holiday in most countries and I don't hear any of the non-Christians or atheists bitching about the getting the day off. I figure saying "Merry Christmas" isn't such a bad thing for anyone to say since many people benefit from this holiday. While I don't get upset at 'happy holidays' I'm not particularly impressed with terms like 'holiday' party or 'holiday' tree, those statements are just silly.
2016-05-24 00:56:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither phrase offends me. Dec 25 is Christmas regardless whether I believe in Christ, so I don't feel that anyone is forcing their religion on me by saying "Merry Christmas." (My December 25 can, in fact, be merry regardless of my personal beliefs, and thank you for hoping I do!) But there's a lot of other holidays that happen around the same time, so I understand "Happy Holidays" to mean "Hope your holiday season is good, whatever it means to you." Both are generally said with only good intentions, so why take offense?
Although I'm Wiccan, I avoid "Happy Yule" or "Merry Yule" in public, for two reasons. One, Yule is a private thing to me. It has only religious meaning. Second, (and the much bigger issue for me) I've known several NeoPagans who have flat out stated that they say Merry Yule in public just to tell other people that they aren't Christian. That's just attention-seeking and I want no part of it. It's also being deliberately confrontational, announcing "I'm different than you. You want to make something of it?"
2007-10-21 08:34:09 · answer #3 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't really see any difference.
I'm Jewish, it does not offend me when someone says "Merry Christmas" because obviously they mean well, (of course, this is excluding the possible issue of NOT meaning well... but thats the exception I think)
why take offense at someone wishing you well even if they use the wrong words? assumably they simply don't know.
and honestly IMO the act of being offended at someone saying "happy holidays" instead of "Merry christmas" when you DO celebrate christmas, is itself many times over more offensive, and more legitimately offensive than anything else in the equation.
I mean for a person to be offended at that, is proactively saying "other peoples's beliefs are not legitimate and should not be considered for"
edit for below:
Suen, I'm not even christian and *I* am slightly offeneded at the concept of calling it "holiday trees"! I agree! they are not holiday trees, they are christmas trees, its hard enough to make the point that a menorah is not whatsoever in the slightest way shape or form related to christmas trees whatsoever, and its not made easier by people obfuscating that christmas trees are exclusively for christmas.
>>"I am a little tired of new Canadians/Americans who are not willing to embrace the traditions of their new countries!"<<
christmas isn't a national tradition. its a christian holiday.
gaillee, this isn't about christmas. this has nothing to do with taking jesus out of christmas. this has to do with respecting other people and respecting their beliefs and that they do not celebrate your holiday.
and yes, wether you like it or not, christmas is a holiday. you are lying to yourself if you say its not.
2007-10-21 07:36:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't offend me in the least. I think each person should greet me as he or she desires, in whatever tradition that person practices. If I'm not Christian, but am told "Merry Christmas", then really that person is hoping I have a joyful Dec. 25th - and I can't see being offended by that. If I am Christian, and someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah, then I would feel blessed that someone was wishing me to be blessed on those days. I don't have to practice your faith to appreciate the good feelings and wishes for goodness that come with holiday greetings.
Blessed Be!
2007-10-21 16:30:55 · answer #5 · answered by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a general context, no. How is a random stranger supposed to know if I am celebrating Christmas, Hanuka, Yule, or some other winter celebration.
Frankly, when I am spending money in Walmart, I really don't care at all how the sales clerk greats me.
2007-10-21 07:39:08 · answer #6 · answered by atheist 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. I am a pagan, it is more universal to say happy holidays. But if I hear Merry Christmas, which is inevitable, I smile and say same to you, and I wish you a very Happy and Blessed Winter Solstice. They see the pentacle and the Spiral Goddess I wear, they know. Most people smile and it is all OK.
Neat question.
Happy and Blessed Winter Solstice to you!
Lady Morgana )0(
2007-10-21 14:22:30 · answer #7 · answered by Lady Morgana 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd prefer a friendly "Happy Holidays" over a belligerent and defensive "Merry Christmas" every time.
I care more about the spirit of the greeting than the choice of words.
2007-10-21 08:26:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't offend me, but it makes me dispair over this politically correct world we seem to be living in.
People will use the term that is familiar to them, and corresponds with their beliefs. They shouldn't feel they have to watch what they say for fear of causing offence.
My family are Christian, but I am Pagan. When I send cards, I put in Happy Christmas *and* Blessed Yule. On the phone I just wish them Happy Christmas.
2007-10-21 07:36:18 · answer #9 · answered by Lady Silver Rose * Wolf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. I'd rather someone wish my that instead of "Merry Christmas." At least with "Happy Holidays" you cover every base. That's not to say I would be insulted if someone wished me a "Merry Christmas." It's the thought that counts, after all.
2007-10-21 07:41:11 · answer #10 · answered by BlueManticore 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋