Afraid to say "Merry Christmas"?

Question

i am not a reglious person, but i do celebrate merry christmas.. i was just wondering if there was anyone else out there that thinks how crazy it is that stores and people in the media aren't allowed to say merry christmas because they might be stepping on someone's toes? like i said, i am not a religious person, and have no problem with other people's religions, all i am saying is don't be offended by someone else.

well i guess people in the midwest just do their own thing..

Answer 1

that sure isn't the case here in the midwest u.s., i got "merry christmased" everywhere i shopped this morning.

Answer 2

Relax, you go ahead and say Merry Christmas all you want.
The only places it does not belong is in governments. Most of the crying about Christmas happens after somebody asks for the right to have their holiday included. There was an airport in California that got all bent last year because a Rabbi asked if he could put up a Menorah in addition to the Christmas decorations. (same season, why not?) Suddenly it was a big attack on Christmas according to the Media. The airlines took down their decorations and everybody said the Jews were waging a war against Christmas. The Rabbi ended up very confused by it all.

The only people who have ever banned Christmas or even wanted to were the Puritans, you know, the Pilgrim Fathers, in Massachusetts.
http://www.apuritansmind.com/Christmas/DankoChristmasBanned.htm

If you look the same thing is happening now with all the banning coming from the Christians.
Most of the companies trying to get rid of Christmas decorations are far more concerned about fire insurance and the cost of cleaning up and disposing of the trees and stuff after the season is over than they are about any political correctness.

Somebody else made the point already about why stores and so on wish everybody happy everything.
The only difference between a Yule, Hannukah, Eid or what-ever gift is the shape of tree they stick it under, the prices are the same.

Answer 3

Hey I kinda get what your saying. I am not a christian and have my own holiday around this time of the year. Personally if someone says merry Christmas to me I will say it back for a few reasons a. I grew up in a christian household and its kind of a knee jerk response. b. I don't want to stand there and explain my holiday and religion to the person because I would prefer to be doing stuff I actually want to do. C. I don't want to deal with willful ignorance and people not understanding anything but what they are spoon fed.
I do think however that Sit Ubu has it right though. From a company owners standpoint if you know that your clients are not all christian than it is safer to say happy holidays to ensure that you do not offend someone who does not celebrate that holiday (if someone told you happy Kwanzaa or Hanukkah instead of merry Christmas would you be a little perturbed?). You do not want to offend ANY person because you would like repeat business. Government should probably stick with happy holidays just to at least keep up the facade of separation of church and state. and as far as people go hey do what you want and others can do the same. If someone tells you happy Hanukkah then don't get upset. chances are they will stay cool if you say merry Christmas

Answer 4

I think this is just a store thing to try to be inclusive of all groups this time of year since you have different people celebrating different things. It was meant as something nice. I am not Christian and I am not offended if people say Merry Christmas. Its like saying have a great Thursday or hope your January goes well. I don't worship Thor or the god Janus either. Its a cultural expression for me. I realize it is a religious holiday for many Christians and I always wish those I know are Christian and celebrate it Merry Christmas.
In fact-- Merry Christmas to all celebrating Christians.

Answer 5

Merry Christmas

Answer 6

I can understand part of it being that there are many different religions, and many that don't celebrate Christmas period, however Merry Christmas has been said for a very long time, and it's kind of hard to control it at times. Sometimes I will say Happy Holidays, sometimes Merry Christmas.

Answer 7

If I hear 'Merry Christmas', I just roll my eyes and assume they don't know much.
What bothers me is when people say 'Jesus is the reason for the season'. It usually means that person isn't much of a history person.
I went to look at Xmas lights the other night and saw a few 'Happy Bday, Jesus' signs.
There seem to be a lot who know better (including Xtians) so it shouldn't last forever.
I really don't see why anyone would be offended by 'Happy Holidays'. I think it's very appropriate.

Answer 8

Merry Christmas...to all

Answer 9

If it's a government entity, they should limit themselves to "happy holidays" to encompass all their citizens.

If you are a business and have non-christian clients, it's just best not to alienate your customers by ignoring their holidays.

Personally, say what you wish. If someone tells me "Merry Christmas", I just reply "Happy Yule".

Answer 10

Employees are required to abide by the rules laid out by their employer. That's pretty much it.

Wow, some of these answers are amazing. Do you people really not understand that businesses are profit driven and not looking to make a political/religious statement? It's simple economics, be inclusive with the promotion of your products and you increase the number of customers.