If Christmas is for "Christians Only," why *should* a store wish it to everyone?

Question

Is this a common position maintained by many? That

a) Christians object if stores do not wish ALL their customers "Merry Christmas," and

b) Christians object if non-Christians have celebrations that - for all intents and purposes - are a recognition of Christmas.

I know many people do not hold both of these opinions, but I'm interested in your comments regarding this appearance of hypocrisy.

Can someone help me understand?

That was poorly worded. I do not truly know how common this belief is, but I want to give all the benefit of the doubt. Sorry if that was confusing.

Answer 1

At the clothes store today with my daughter...

Saleslady: And what are YOOOU expecting from Santa, little girl?
Daughter: Nothing.
Saleslady: Well, why is that?
Daughter: *temporarily puzzled* We don't have Christmas at my house.
Saleslady: *looks at me condescendingly* ALL children should have Christmas, ma'am.

(So I dislike her for two reasons: one, she is shoving Christmas down my daughter's throat, and two, she called me ma'am. I'm 23, I hate it when people call me ma'am.)

At Vons: Do you need help out, ma'am? No? Well, Merry Christmas.
At Blockbuster: These movies are due back in two days, Merry Christmas.
At carwash: No charge - Merry Christmas!

I think people are just oblivious to the fact that not everyone is Christian.

Answer 2

Beacause in a country where the majority of people practice some denomination of Christianity it's just a whole lot easier to wish every body a merry Christmas than it is to ask people which holiday (if any ) that they celebrate at this time of year before offering them an appropriate greeting,
Nothing personal but I find the lack of common sense in America to be appalimg .If people truly mean us no harm then why can't we simply let them be ?
Merry (select one)
Christmas
Chanukah
Kwanza
Winter Solstice
Other
Choose not to select

Answer 3

In pre Judeo-Christian-Islamic times December was the darkest time of the year. People suffered from SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder (a form of depression) due to lack of sunlight. So on 12/21 the darkest day of the year people would gather with friends, hold feasts, sing, dance. Light the Yule log, decorate evergreen trees and exchange gifts. After 12/25 the days would start getting longer and people eventually cheered up on their own.
When the heathens were Christianized the church adapted their rituals in a some form.
The same holds true for Easter.

Answer 4

Christmas actually predates Christianity.. only the name has been changed... most of the traditions, from the tree to the nativity predate Christianity....

the actual birth we celebrate is the Roman Sun God - Mirthra.. this is who the first nativity scenes were made for...
the early Christians tried to erase the celebrations but were unsuccessful because it was so popular.. so they simply changed the name and the storey... (which is perpetuated even today)..

the holiday used to be called Saturnalia or Yule (or other names depending where you lived)

as such in truth we should be saying HAPPY HOLIDAYS or whatever.. NOT "merry Christmas"

- its actually been proven Jesus was born in March or April..

Answer 5

It isn't just for Christians. The wise men who went to Jesus bearing gifts were not men of God but astrologers and were sent by King Herod to kill Him. The bible says LET everything that has breath praise the Lord. Christ rejects no one.
He did not come for the saved, but the sinner, the lost and the hurting. Why shouldn't we as individuals living in a free country say happy holiday or merry Christmas or whatever we desire the season to be. We have become a nation of touchy people and offend easily. But, that is exactly what Christ said would happen because of Him. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Answer 6

If the media can push Christmas as a non-specific religious holiday, then that means $$$$$$$$$ gets spent and stores and related businesses get more $$$$$$$$$ profit.

EDIT: I think it's tantamount to the moneychangers in the temple. And I'm not even Christian.

Answer 7

Christmas is NOT really a christian Holiday it was incorporated, it was a Pagan holiday in Roman times long before! That is a fact.

Later the Church incorporated saying if you can't beat it use it! So they did and Xmas became a part of Christianity but its roots go further back.

Answer 8

Christmas has nothing to do with Christ,now or in the past.Now it is for selling things,companys chance to make more money.In the past it was a way to give thanx for anouther year,mid winter in most area's,something to look forward to.Why do you think its called the holiday season?

Research a bit on Christmas,you will find it has nothing to do at all with the birth of Christ,while it is said it does,it does not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas <---Start here,you will see its basically made up,but there were alot of winter festivals,Christmas is basically those rolled into one.

Answer 9

Hi,

Well other non Christians I know that own businesses and stores just love the Christmas season and partake in its commercial ends. It would be economic suicide not to since it is the busiest time for them as well..

Mike K

Answer 10

Christmas is about capitalism, which company can make the most money. Are you saying that the companies that produce and sell all the christmas merchandise are christian? because they more than likely don't have a religious affiliation as a company.