do you think that "Merry Christmas" is offensive?

Question

I never got that. I celebrate Christmas but I could care less if someone said Happy Hanuka or Kwanzaa or something.

ok its nice that you all are putting details and stories and sources and all but all I asked was if you thought it was offensive..... not how it originated

Answer 1

No, I agree with you.
Someone could wish me well for any holiday,
or in any way-
why would a few well-intentioned words be offending?

Answer 2

There are at least 5 different holidays going on right now and a phrase like Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings honors that not everyone is celebrating your holiday. Surely no one expects you to do Hanukkah cards or to send Yule gifts - you send Christmas cards, it nice to remember your friend on your holiday - but for people you meet randomly, some think it's rude to wish them greetings for a holiday they don't celebrate.

How about you? What do you think when someone says Happy Kwanzaa or an Eid greeting? You probably never hear that, because celebrators of those holidays don't expect you to know it or celebrate it. In turn, they don't know or celebrate your holiday. It's no big deal. If you want to be inclusive or PC or diplomatic, you say "happy holidays". If you want to put in a plug for your holiday, say "merry christmas" but then be sure to behave the way you want others to behave when an alternate holiday is wished on you.

Peace!

Answer 3

Not offensive. Of course most people don't bother to research the history of Christmas to see that it was clearly a pagan worship/celebration.

I already knew the Catholic Church was responsible for incorporating so-called religious events with that of pagan religion, and coined the term: Christ-mass, but I never understood if it was supposed to be such a "holy" occasion, why the "Merry" term first? Why not "Holy Christmas?"
Now, I know why.

Saturnalia
Main article: Saturnalia
In Roman times, the best-known winter festival was Saturnalia, which was popular throughout Italy. Saturnalia was a time of general relaxation, feasting, MERRY-MAKING, and a cessation of formal rules. It included the making and giving of small presents (Saturnalia et Sigillaricia), including small dolls for children and candles for adults.[6] During Saturnalia, business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and even public nudity. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[7] Saturnalia honored the god Saturn and began on December 17. The festival gradually lengthened until the late Republican period, when it was seven days (December 17–24). In imperial times, Saturnalia was shortened to five days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

Answer 4

No I do not think it is offensive at all. I am after all a Christian. Nor would I be offended by Sanson's Greetings-Happy Hanuka-or what ever some one may choose to say as long as it is friendly.

Answer 5

I don't get offended by someone saying Merry Christmas, but it demonstrates a certain ignorance of the Scriptures. Christmas is a tradition instituted by man to remember Christ's birth. Yet God never prescribed that Holiday, therefore the wise thing is not to do it. It is written that we should not add, nor substract from the Word (Rev 22:18-19). Christians should not follow after man's traditions (Mat 15:8-9). So, I won't wish anyone Merry Christmas.

Answer 6

Not offensive, but it can be annoying sometimes. I celebrate Yule so when everyone tells me to have a good holiday that I don't celebrate, I wish that they wouldn't assume that I'm Christian.

If you don't know if a person is a certain relgion, maybe you should just say "Happy Holidays" to cover everything.

Answer 7

No. I am not Christian, but if someone says "Merry Christmas" to me , I say it back. It is obviously meant in good will. I feel the same way about Hannukah and Kwanzaa.

Answer 8

In the words of Kastanza, "How about Festivus for the rest of us?"

I think that wishing someone something nice and positive should be received in the same spirit that it was given. Today's society is so bent over backwards to be offended, it wouldn't matter WHAT you said, SOME body would get offended. (What a sad state of affairs!)

Answer 9

No I don't find it offensive.

Surprisingly I was just about to ask that question myself as well, but with one modification: You can't speak for anyone else.

Someone put it neatly before on Y!A:
A bunch of Christians with a persecution complex.

edit: Nice one Dutchess. Made me chuckle.

Answer 10

I think those who are saying that it is offensive to "most" people are speaking for themselves. This has been asked here several times. "Most" people here, including Atheists, have said they are not offended by it. :)

Some people have surmised (although I do not know if it is true) that more likely Christians are offended by "Happy Holidays." :)