I'm not afraid to say it. Isn't if funny how wimpy folks have become. I wish my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah, everyone else gets a "Merry Chrismas"
I'm not afraid to say it. Isn't if funny how wimpy folks have become. I wish my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah, everyone else gets a "Merry Chrismas"
I'm not afraid to, but I only say it on Christmas Day itself. It seems that plenty of people now start saying it weeks in advance.
Sounds like you are afraid to say Merry Christmas to your jewish friends.
But not afraid to say Merry Christmas to athiests, muslims and other non-christians.
X-Runner wrote:
Sounds like you are afraid to say Merry Christmas to your jewish friends.
But not afraid to say Merry Christmas to athiests, muslims and other non-christians.
What muslim friends???
I don't get what is wrong with "Happy Holidays". There are numerous holidays this time of year. Christmas, Hannukah(sp), New Years, and yes, even Kwanza. And it's not even Christmas until... it's Christmas (Dec. 25th). You don't say "Happy Thanksgiving" the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving do you?
Why not Happy Holidays? wrote:
You don't say "Happy Thanksgiving" the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving do you?
I do. I love Thanksgiving. It is by far my favorite holiday. I am already excited about next Thanksgiving b/c we are hosting it at my house.
No. Not in the least. The world I live in has not become that overly-sensitive.
The hyper political correctness you implicitly reference is to a large extent a pop-culture/media fabrication.
I had a Jewish person who I supervised and when I gave him a present, I said, "Happy Hanukkah". He appreciated it and said when people give him a Christmas present, he gives them a Hanukkah present. No, I don't have any problems saying Merry Christmas. I give Christmas presents, and I am an atheist as are most of my children.
Why not Happy Holidays? wrote:
I don't get what is wrong with "Happy Holidays". There are numerous holidays this time of year. Christmas, Hannukah(sp), New Years, and yes, even Kwanza. And it's not even Christmas until... it's Christmas (Dec. 25th). You don't say "Happy Thanksgiving" the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving do you?
Some people forget that the reason for the season is hapiness and joy, so they have to harp on those who say the wrong phrase. It is truly sad.
No, but I am afraid to wish my Muslim friends happy Eid ul-Fitr.
A media creation, a problem where there is none.
I'm a devout atheist and I have no problem with Merry Xmas, or saying that to others. People aren't usually such big A-holes they get offended by one, well meaning phrase.
I say it all the time, and have since I have been alive. No one has ever complained.
NoBammy wrote:
I'm not afraid to say it. Isn't if funny how wimpy folks have become. I wish my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah, everyone else gets a "Merry Chrismas"
I have no problem saying that to people who are Christians or who celebrate Christmas (many atheists will still celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday). I would not say "Happy Holidays" unless I were addressing a room full of people who likely celebrate different holidays this time of year, but the most ridiculous thing ever is that some people refer to a Christmas tree as a "Holiday tree". THAT is silly.
Why not Happy Holidays? wrote:
I don't get what is wrong with "Happy Holidays". There are numerous holidays this time of year. Christmas, Hannukah(sp), New Years, and yes, even Kwanza. And it's not even Christmas until... it's Christmas (Dec. 25th). You don't say "Happy Thanksgiving" the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving do you?
Uhhh, while the birth of Christ and the liturgical calendar are very much open to debate, have you never heard of Advent? There's your answer as to why it starts long before the actual day. On the other hand, our consumer, secular culture has taken it to a new level as it pretty much begins after All Hallow's Eve now.
To your point, I don't get what is wrong with saying Merry Christmas unless you honestly know someone who is a devout follower of another religion and "might" take offense, especially as the celebration itself has become so secularized anymore.
I'm not afraid of saying Merry Christmas to anyone and appreciate it when I hear that phrase rather than Happy Holidays or Winter Solstice. The vast majority of Americans are Christian, our framers were Christian and openly practiced Christian traditions, and, frankly, I think the new politically correct is to be politically incorrect.
If anyone is TRULY offended by the words "Merry Christmas," which again have become so secularized, that's bordering on sociopathology.
Unfortunately, instead of practicing mainly charity, love, giving, and spiritual introspection during advent as it was intended, it's all about a morally bankrupt, consumer-driven, hedonistic, me-first, blame-the-other guy for my problems, I'm OWED happiness, society anymore.
Advent isn't Christmas. It is a period of waiting for and reflection on the coming celebration. It doesn't make sense to say happy Christmas before the actual day.
Sagarin wrote:
To your point, I don't get what is wrong with saying Merry Christmas unless you honestly know someone who is a devout follower of another religion and "might" take offense, especially as the celebration itself has become so secularized anymore.
So you agree that a politician who speaking to the masses should not say Merry Christmas since the masses include devout followers of other religions that may take offense.
Am I the only one who hates this Christmas culture wars sh*t every year?
And the rampant consumerism sucks too. You'd think that God sent his only begotten son so that we could get half-off power tools at the hardware store!
Just wish people Happy Brumalia and be done with it.
I've never heard of Advent. I looked it up and I didn't see were it had any connection to the phrase "Merry Christmas".
I also looked up the origin of the phrase "Merry Christmas". This is what I found...
The use of 'Merry Christmas' as a seasonal salutation dates back to at least 1565, when it appeared in The Hereford Municipal Manuscript ( Hereford is a county in the UK):
"And thus I comytt you to god, who send you a mery Christmas & many."
I'm assuming Advent started before 1565.
To clarify, I celebrate Christmas and wish everyone I know that celebrates it a Merry Christmas. But, since I am a business owner that works with numerous people that I don't know on a personal, I don't say that to them. Usually I don't "wish" or "happy" anything. I thank them for their business and move on. It's not being afraid to say it. It's why it's even necessary to say it to someone you don't know.