This is a two part question, one for Christians and one for Atheists.
Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas, this is really the same thing:
Holiday = Holy Day
Christmas = Christ Mass
Christ Mass IS A Holy Day
Christimas IS A Holiday
Christians:
Why would you be offended by someone telling you to have a Happy "Holy Day"?
Atheists:
Why is saying Happy "Holy Day" any less offensive to you then saying Merry "Christ Mass"?
2007-12-19 03:10:17 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not offended by someone saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. I celebrate Christmas. However, there are other celebrations that happen this time of year, so I think in general it is respectful to say Happy Holidays to someone when you don't know what celebrations they prescribe to, if any at all. Assuming they must celebrate your holiday can be insulting. Isn't it just better to be respectful to others, especially this time of year?
Because you are obviously Christian, I'll refrain from commenting on your little word game.
2007-12-19 03:14:21 · answer #1 · answered by I, Sapient 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I am an atheist, and I say "Merry Christmas".
A lot.
To strangers.
^__^
Merry Christmas! <3
It is not an offensive term in the least.
I take it I will have to repeat this more than a few times over the next week or two... but that's ok.
Really, atheists in general have nothing against the holiday. It's two things really that leads to this idea.
One is that when Christians demand that atheists do not celebrate the holiday atheists bring up that Christians do not own the day, and that they stole it from pagans. This leads to a combatitive back and forth over various things.
The second is that sometimes government agencies sponsor religious displays, and that annoys some people because it is a technical violation of the law. This leads to the impression that somehow Christmas is under attack.
Christian pundits pick up on both of these and run with it.
Honestly... I love Christmas, and have no problems with anyone using the term. Nor do any of the other atheists that I talk to regularly. In a private forum for atheists that I belong to, I asked just that question. What do people feel about Christiams...
The results? The same as Christians, without the religious connotations. We dislike how commercial it has become, but we love the holiday. Some more than other's.
2007-12-19 11:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I simply choose to say Merry Christmas since that is the day that my family celebrates the birth of Christ. This is just more specific than Happy Holidays.
2007-12-19 11:17:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that it offends me, but does Merry Christmas only offend atheists? What about Hanukkah or Kwanzaa? I feel that it is more appropriate to say Happy Holidays because it acknowledges the other holidays celebrated around this time of year. Regardless, it doesn't offend me.
2007-12-19 16:09:02 · answer #4 · answered by word 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't look up the etymology of a word and then just act as though it has the exact same meaning as the words from which it was derived. In English, a holiday and a holy day are different things.
Anyway I don't consider 'merry Christmas' to be offensive, just exclusive. I still acknowledge that the person is wishing me well, which is polite of them. Personally I wouldn't greet someone by referring to an occasion I have no reason to think they celebrate, but that's just me.
2007-12-19 11:16:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
None of this is offensive to me, and Christian's concerns about some "Attack on Christmas" is total make-believe. Every leader needs an enemy to unify against, so they invent one if none exists.
st.aliaoftheknife (above) makes the point very well.
Ever notice how many Christians now say Merry Christmas with a militant, angry, in-your-face zeal, like they are making some kind of point? Very un-Christian, if you ask me.
The Christmas tree is especially amusing in this regard - a Pagan symbol, having nothing to do with the birth of Christ, being defended by Christians... why???
2007-12-19 11:15:51 · answer #6 · answered by Fred S - AM Cappo Di Tutti Capi 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was a Christian turned Athiest. I dont get offended by someone telling me Merry Christmas because for me, Christmas is a time to celebrate having family and being thankful for what you have. I dont celebrate for religious reasons. My family is Christian so I do it because of them also. I say Merry Christmas back to people also.
2007-12-19 11:16:08 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason "Happy Holidays" is not offensive is because, due to common usage, the word Holiday no longer has its original meaning. Today, it refers to any holiday, religious or not. Used at this time of year, it encompasses all the celebrations being observed, and has a meaning of good will for the season, rather than a specific observance or celebration. It is equivalent to "Seasons Greetings," which is a clumsy wish when spoken rather than written.
2007-12-19 11:16:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
None of it offends me. I know the spirit and intention behind it for most people is a warm greeting. What is wrong with that?
On the "holiday" thing. You realize of course that there are several "holidays" that aren't holy, right?
Holiday does not translate to "holy day" for me. :)
2007-12-19 11:19:38 · answer #9 · answered by Trina™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not offended by "merry christmas,"
I'm offended when the recipient of my "happy holidays" rudely and with a sneer replies "merry CHRISTmas" muttering heathen, liberal, unbeliever under their breath.
Ok, that was exaggerated, but you get the point.
2007-12-19 11:15:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋