When you meet someone at the store, or on the street, etc. And they wish you a Merry Christmas just as a jester of good faith not meaning to cause any harm, not knowing you are atheist, does it really offend you?
2007-12-21 13:46:16 · 60 answers · asked by Brad M 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Erika - Please email me, I'd like to know more about Wiccan.
2007-12-21 14:57:25 · update #1
Rick - If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times. You are one sick puppy! Guess that's why we are friends. But maybe you got a point for another good question! "How does Tom Cruise say Merry Christmas"? Think I'll ask it!!!
2007-12-21 15:01:02 · update #2
Not at all, and I even say it back.
2007-12-21 13:48:36 · answer #1 · answered by CrankyYankee 6 · 10⤊ 0⤋
My answer would have to be no as well. Funny you should ask that I was told Merry Christmas about 50 times today at my job and I am not offended 50 fold are anything. Just becasue I am athiest does not mean I look down on a religious group. Religions are based on faith and what that tells me is that they are not only wishing me a nice time of the year to remember their god but also making a personal statemant of Christ being their god. Wich in no way offends me we are free to worship as we choose. I think it is a kind jesture given among Christians to celebrate peace on earth and good will towards man and is also a reflection time for their own beliefs. Just becasue I do not believe doesn't mean that they shouldn't It is faith and I am glad they believe they have it. I also hope they enjoy their religious time of the year and it enriches their lives......
2007-12-21 13:57:52 · answer #2 · answered by bigchadmark 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's atheists that are the ones who are offended. So we're the wrong ones to blame.
Most of us who celebrate it as a family holiday still call it Christmas, so no issue there. Although we can understand that "happy holidays" is a lot more open and loving to all of humanity since there are multiple holidays at this time. And I understand that Jewish friends (and others) would not mind being included and not assumed to celebrate the same as me.
In this day and age in a 'melting pot' society, generalizing it to only one holiday toward all people just seems a bit rude and unthinking...
The only atheists that could be offended would be those that don't celebrate the holiday at all or come from families of *other* holidays...
2007-12-21 13:56:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
i'm so happy you asked this question. i've got been desirous to prefer a number of the atheists a Merry Christmas, yet became into afraid to realize this, and satisfied holiday journeys by some potential sounds like a denial of Christ. You rock!
2016-10-09 01:42:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am Agnostic(close enough to Atheist) and today at work everyone kept saying "Merry Christmas", most customers don't know or care what I believe, I'm just their waitress. It doesn't bother me because I know that when most of them say it, baby Jesus is the last thing on their mind, they are just hoping I didn't mess up their order. Besides they are just being nice, but I reply "Happy Holidays" to any who offer a seasonal gesture as not to offend.
2007-12-21 13:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by Devils's Advocate 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not atheist---I'm Pagan---and as so, do not believe that Jesus Christ was/is god, or the son of god.
But I certainly take no offense at someone wishing me a Merry Christmas; after all, I don't go about wearing a t-shirt proclaiming myself to be Pagan.
People, I believe, mean well when they tell you Merry Christmas. It's a lot better than being told to go f*ck myself :)
2007-12-21 13:57:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
How do you feel when a Jew says ‘ Happy Hannika ‘ to you and assumes you are Jewish ? Or if a Hindu blessed you in the name of a Blasphemous and false God ?
I think it is better that you , the Jew and the Hindu respect my absence of believe and keep your immoral and illogical believe systems to yourself.
On the other hand , if you want to celebrate the shortest day of the year or have a bit of fun with ancient traditions based on obsolete mythology , then we can enjoy the celebrations equally without the arrogant Christian attitude that accompanies a ' Merry Christmas' .
2007-12-21 14:09:15 · answer #7 · answered by londonpeter2003 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesn't offend me. It offends me a lot more that the money says "In God We Trust" on it, or that the Pledge of Allegiance had "under God" pushed into it.
Seems to me the wingnuts are making much more of a fuss about "Happy Holidays" than atheists ever made about "Merry Christmas."
2007-12-21 14:02:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Of course not.
Christmas has roots in the Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice.
While it is largely celebrated by Christians, it was banned by the American Puritans, and not every Christian today celebrates it (my Protestant mother does not - she believes that decorating a tree is graven imagery).
I enjoy Christmas too, because I see it as a time to spend with family and (yum) to eat lots of tasty food. Why would I be offended?
2007-12-21 19:32:45 · answer #9 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope the atheist do not get offended when I say
Merry Christmas because it is just a friendly jester
If I knew one was going on a long journey I would say
God,s speed,but only to wish them well.
2007-12-21 13:59:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm agnostic but I view religion as an atheist. I like to hear Merry Christmas and say it too. I don't care about the origins of the word. Just like christians don't care about the origin of the celebration. It's just fun.
2007-12-21 13:49:51 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋