she was offended by the religion-neutral statement "Happy Holidays," instead of "Merry Christmas." She said that it was an attempt to be polite, but it offended her because she felt that it somehow denied the spirit of the season, and subverted the Christian, pro-Christmas sentiment shared by the majority of Americans.
My question is, does anyone here agree with her? How could you possibly take offense to "Happy Holidays?" Don't you think people are right to say "Happy Holidays," if they don't know what religion someone subscribes to? What if she'd been Jewish or a Muslim?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not offended when someone says, "Merry Christmas," and I wouldn't try to prevent people from saying it. However, I fail to see what's so bad about saying "Happy Holidays."
2007-11-21 15:23:08 · 37 answers · asked by Pull My Finger 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It has all gotten out of hand. I swear, you can't say anything without offending some crybaby these days. They need to grow some skin. I can't stand whiners. They need to endure some real problems so they can realize how ridiculously petty they really are and know what real problems are all about. All this crying about, you hurt my feelings. Whoopee. Grow up. They are embarrassing. If it hurts their little bitty feelings, tough.
Instead of pissing and moaning about insignificant things, they should be helping the less fortunate to have a good christmas for their children. That is the true spirit of the holidays.
2007-11-21 15:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
If you ask me it's all a load of crap... Who CARES?? Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, Joy to the World, Seasons Greetings.. whatever. It all means well doesn't it? and that's all that counts.. people are wishing you well when they say these things, they may believe in god, or just santa or simply the "spirit of giving" the point is people are blowing this sh*t way out of proportion! Give us all a break.. "War on Christmas" what a load of bull.. Guess what? I will say whatever I want to say to whoever I want whenever I want during Christmas because it is a time of the year when we should all spread joy and happiness because it is a time of family, of giving and of enjoying... no matter what you believe. Personally I am just tired of people even arguing about it, just say what you want to say and mean well, who's going to stop you?? I don't care what another person believes I know what I believe and that is saying something to another person you don't even know that means joy and happiness and well wishes during the holiday season is a good thing and it means good. The words don't mean anything it's the thought behind them that does, everyone just needs to realize that no matter what words are used it means the same thing.. Happy, Merry, Joy.. it all means well. That's all that counts.
If people want to take it the wrong way and be offended then that is their loss because if they opened their eyes to the well-meaning behind it, they would not be offended at all.
2007-11-21 15:38:56 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That women is just one of the many whiny idiots that are all too common in christianity in America. These dolts think that they own the country and everything that anyone does has to cater to their beliefs. This type of person is so self-centered and egotistical that they can't understand that people of other faiths have holidays as well. They also are so wrapped up in their desire to make themselves out to be "victims" that they don't even stop to realize that, at the very least, "Happy Holidays" is a short-hand way of saying, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Years" in a quick, easy to say phrase.
These whiners are pathetic.
2007-11-21 15:43:09 · answer #3 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many people celebrate Christmas everywhere of all religions since its hard not to be caught up in it. It supposed to only be Christian, but more and more it is becoming universal and non-christian, i.e shopping sprees, Santa Claus.
That's why its polite to say Happy Holidays as there are alot of non-Christians who are also involved in Christmas. That woman is just trying to defend it from a Christian perspective, since many Christains think the Christmas is moving away from the religion, i.e its supposed to be about Jesus, not Santa Claus.
There is nothing wrong with saying Happy Holidays, don't worry about that kind of stuff. Saying Happy Holidays is a way of respecting everyone from every religion, since it is most likely also a holidays for them as well.
Hope, this answered you question.
2007-11-21 15:34:53 · answer #4 · answered by Eruvadhron "LOE" 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because of the many different religions that are having celebrations this time of year it is insulting to assume the stranger you are passing by is Christian. They could be of any number of different religions. I personally am offended by presumptuous people. If someone wants to wish me a Merry Christmas then I usually wish them a Happy Solstice, or a Merry Yule in return. If I am meeting someone for the first time I always say Happy Holidays. If they become offended then I say I am sorry and wish them a happy Ramadan instead.
2007-11-21 15:32:53 · answer #5 · answered by Khimaera 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is the typical response from the ignorant in the world.
If Xmas was the only holiday being celebrated during this time then I'd agree with her and simply say "Merry Xmas". But as you have several different faiths and beliefs celebrating a holiday during this period then just saying "Merry Xmas" is being exclusionary.
Besides, it's not like it was a Xian holiday in the first place. This is something co-opted by the early Xian church to bring in some of the pagans that were celebrating their own holiday during that time. Don't you find it odd that they celebrate it so close to the Winter Solstice? That's not a co-incidence.
Personally I like to wish all the rabid fundies I know a "Happy Channukah", "Happy Kwanzaa" & "Merry Solstice" during this time. It usually stops them in their tracks for a few moments as they try to digest what I just said.
2007-11-21 15:34:11 · answer #6 · answered by JavaJoe 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but I disagree with you. The reason Christians are taking offense to Happy Holidays is because some businesses are FORCING that phrase to be used and not allowing Merry Christmas to be said. That's a violation of our freedom of speech and religion in case you did not know. Some stores (Target, Lowes for example) won't let their cashiers say it. Wal-Mart tried doing the same in the past but changed their policy last year because they knew it was bad for business and against the law. The reason stores are busy this time of year is because of Christmas. 75-80% of American citizens are Christians. Very few people will be offended by Merry Christmas. More people are offended that we are being told what to say and what not to say in fear of offending one person. PC is out of control. Christmas is a NATIONAL HOLIDAY that is celebrated by 90% of our country. People are getting time off of work because of Christmas, with pay.
God Bless.
2007-11-21 15:45:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Happy Holidays is the accepted PC statement given by most store clerks. Happy Holidays not only covers Christmas, but Hannukah, Kwanza, Yule, New Years, Thanksgiving, and any other holiday celebrated over the next few months.
2007-11-21 15:35:18 · answer #8 · answered by Nepetarias 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm with you.
Sometimes we go so FAR out on the politically correct branch we need to turn around and come right back in.
Merry Christmas. It's a Christian holiday, so say it. (it has Pagan roots but our holiday is called something else)
Happy Holidays!! Who gives a rats buttt.
Me, I'm an Atheist, I celebrate the winter solstice but I don't freak out every time someone says something else.
It's about the only time of the year I see anybody trying to be nice to people, so if they say it, I take in the spirit it was given and a LET IT GO!!
Peace.
2007-11-21 15:34:08 · answer #9 · answered by -Tequila17 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The only reason we have a 'holiday' in the first place is because of Christmas. We didn't use to celebrate Hanukkah or Ramadan or Kwanza in this country in December, because Christmas was the recognized holiday. If Christmas hadn't become the big money making machine that it is, we wouldn't even get time off in December. There would be no Christmas shopping, no Christmas trees, no decorations. It would be like any other day. But there's always someone that has to piggy-back on top of Christian holidays. Even the Easter bunny had to get a piece of the pie on Easter.
So since everyone is getting rich and celebrating the season because of the Christian Christmas holiday, then by gosh, they should say Merry Christmas. Otherwise, those folks who are celebrating our holiday should just stop buying gifts and putting up trees.
2007-11-21 15:33:33 · answer #10 · answered by Dawn C 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋