CMs saying Merry Christmas?

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Please, get started. As one of "THOSE people," I'd love to hear what you have to say.

So would I.

Happy Solstice everyone.

Uh-oh, another one of 'them' here...

I was brought up Protestant, but my father's family is Catholic, and my maternal grandfather's family Jewish, so I learned about those faiths as well, and was taught to respect other people's religions. My own path brought me to a place other than the traditional church, but that doesn't mean I don't celebrate the holidays I have my whole life with my family.

I would wish everyone Happy Solstice [spiritual choice] and Merry Christmas [secular family tradition], as both are important winter holiday celebrations to me. I take no offense at being wished a Merry Christmas at all, although I might get a few raised eyebrows if I responded with a Happy Solstice...

In any event, I hope everyone has a peaceful, healthy, and joyous holiday season!

 

[CleveRocks]

Christmas is not only a Christian holiday, it is a NATIONAL holiday. So that includes Americans of all faiths and those who practice no religion. Why on Earth would anyone be offended by the words "Merry Christmas"? It is a well wish. I am saying it a little more often and loudly this year...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I, too, don't understand people feeling offended at being wished a Merry Christmas. However, I think you'll find a lot of people of faith who are not Christians feeling offended that others feel they too should be celebrating Christmas because it's a national holiday. Devout Jews and Muslims, for example, don't want to be part of the celebration of Christmas (I'm not talking about fun social things such as, for example, kids helping a neighbor to trim a tree). The clear-thinking among them don't want to stop anyone else of faith (like Christians) from fully expressing, observing, and enjoying their faith, but devout Jews and Muslims do NOT want to be a part of that religious celebration.

Probably a bad analogy but I'll try anyway: it's your neighbor's birthday and he's gonna have a huge party. You're happy and excited for him, you may help him decorate the house, but you're not going to go to the party thinking it's your birthday too and expect gifts.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-- Eric

 

[mostly]

"Merry Christmas".

 

[disneyaggie]

It's been Christmas for a couple thousand years. If we have to stop saying Christmas, maybe we should stop buying and giving gifts because without Christmas, there never would have been the gift giving to start with.

I wonder if retailers would change their tune about the word 'holiday' if no one bought gifts anymore.

A Merry Christmas to everyone!

Not looking for flames, just my personal opinion.

Mav

You know, I have often thought the same thing. Christmas is clearly celebrating the birth of Jesus. So I am a little fuzzy on why those who are adamant about not believing in Christ, are the same who buy Christmas trees and exchange gifts. To me, it is as goofy as an athiest regularly walking into Church to take communion! And I don't care if I get flamed . . . it is my opinion.

Again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

[outtonight]

Saying that only Christians should be able to celebrate Christmas is just... I don't know. If only Christians are allowed to celebrate the day, then shouldn't only Pagans be allowed to decorate their trees?

And besides, if nonbelievers shouldn't be allowed to celebrate the day, then it shouldn't be appropriate to wish anyone a "Merry Christmas" without knowledge of their religious beliefs. Because if you don't think they deserve to celebrate the day to begin with, it's awfully hypocritical to wish them a merry one.

I just think that Christmas is supposed to be a day about love. For Christians, that means love of Christ -- but if the rest of us just want to celebrate love in general, shouldn't we be allowed to? Goodness knows there's not enough in the world today.

But the fact is.. Christmas is a National Holiday. Thus giving everyone the entitlement to celebrate it if they choose.

As for the wishing of "Merry Christmas...", I'm fine with anyone wishing me a happy anything. But I prefer to respond back with "Happy Holidays," just because I prefer to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

 

[janets]

it's almost always "Merry Christmas." I do not celebrate Christmas since it is not my religious beliefs. The fact that our nation recognizes Christmas as a national holiday, with banks and the stock market closed, stores closed, businesses closed, drives home the point that there is no separation of church and state in this issue.

I was raised in NYC in a predominently Jewish neighborhood. I now live in NJ in a predominently non-Jewish neighborhood (in fact, my son is only 1 of 3 Jewish children in a class of over 20 kids). There are only 2 children from the entire 2nd grade (my son included) currently attending religious education classes at the synagogue we attend.

That being said, I have come to expect that people will assume that I celebrate Christmas. I am often wished Merry Christmas in places like the bank, grocery store, department store. I usually respond with a "Thank You, you too" comment, because if someone wishes this to me, I then assume that they indeed celebrate that holiday. I don't really think it's the time or place to point out that not everyone celebrates that particular holiday.

However, if someone I know better says it, I will usually point out that we are Jewish and we celebrate Chanukah and they always apologize, to which I respond, not necessary, just wanted you to know. I have always tried to be sensitive to others and respectful of others beliefs.

That said, we spent the Christmas holiday in WDW a number of years ago (when we only had ds#1) and went to Kona Cafe on Christmas morning. The server wished us a Merry Christmas and asked my son what Santa had brought him (which again pointed out to me that the majority of the world thinks everyone celebrates Christmas). My son, without missing a beat, looked her straight in the eye and told her that we were Jewish and Santa doesn't bring him anything, but he got such and such for Chanukah. Being that he wasn't even 4 yet, it was pretty cute. She smiled, apologized and told him that his new gifts sounded great.

So I guess I'm just saying that I think the mere fact that someone is kind enough to wish me anything at all is okay. But I also appreciate it when someone is sensitive enough to realize that we are all different and may not celebrate the same things.

Happy Holidays to all and wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!

 

[jarestel]

Uh oh. Here we go already, arguing over the semantics of a traditional greeting. ( It's good, it's bad, it's insensitive, it's irrelevant, etc... )

I just think it's interesting that in our democracy we can elect presidents with a simple plurality of the peoples vote, but when it comes to celebrating traditions, we need to have 100% approval from everyone or there will be trouble. Trouble I tell you!

Merry Holidays, all!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I personally do not think the "Happy Holidays" thing is a "PC" issue at all. It's an issue of being sensitive to religious and cultural differences.

Isn't that what being PC is? Being sensitive?

 

[mommyoeo]

That said, we spent the Christmas holiday in WDW a number of years ago (when we only had ds#1) and went to Kona Cafe on Christmas morning. The server wished us a Merry Christmas and asked my son what Santa had brought him (which again pointed out to me that the majority of the world thinks everyone celebrates Christmas). My son, without missing a beat, looked her straight in the eye and told her that we were Jewish and Santa doesn't bring him anything, but he got such and such for Chanukah. Being that he wasn't even 4 yet, it was pretty cute. She smiled, apologized and told him that his new gifts sounded great.

Happy Holidays to all and wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!

WOW! I'm a conservative CHristian and you are Jewish and we have this in common! This happens all the time to my children too! We prefer to focus on Christ during Christmas, so we don't do anything Santa-ish if you will. My children don't seem to know what to say when they are asked what Santa will bring them. I usually jump in and say, "What do you want for Christmas" so my child will understand better how to answer. I used to say "We don't believe in Santa" but DH said even with a sweet smile, it seemed rude. I was not trying to be rude; I just wanted to help my children out of an uncomfortable situation.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Isn't that what being PC is? Being sensitive?

The term "PC" is generally used in a pejorative, eye-rolling way.

 

[Marthasor]

WOW! I'm a conservative CHristian and you are Jewish and we have this in common! This happens all the time to my children too! We prefer to focus on Christ during Christmas, so we don't do anything Santa-ish if you will. My children don't seem to know what to say when they are asked what Santa will bring them. I usually jump in and say, "What do you want for Christmas" so my child will understand better how to answer. I used to say "We don't believe in Santa" but DH said even with a sweet smile, it seemed rude. I was not trying to be rude; I just wanted to help my children out of an uncomfortable situation.

Thank you so much for pointing out the religious and secular aspects of the holiday and the DIFFERENCE between them. I am still reeling from the poster who is shocked that non-religious people set up trees and exchange gifts - both traditions which stem from pagan rituals. I wish you a peaceful Christmas.

 

[Feralpeg]

Several CMs told us Merry Christmas at MVMCP last night. I think you just ran into the wrong ones.

 

[peter11435]

The term "PC" is generally used in a pejorative, eye-rolling way.

Regardless of what negative connotations the term "PC" may have developed. It is essentially as UnderTheMistletoe said being sensitive to other religions and beliefs. Nowadays this has been taken way to far. To the point where as I showed earlier it is now ok for a city government to say Happy Hanukah and Happy Kwanzaa but they can't say Merry Christmas because it may offend someone. TO be honest if someone is truly offended by being wished Merry Christmas then they have much bigger problems to deal with.

 

[snowbunny]

This seems to be a manufactured "crisis" so that a few right wing political groups can try to whip their followers into a frenzy.

Thank you. Bill O'Reilly has vowed to "bring horror" into the world of those who disagree with him as to whether storekeepers must bombard all who enter their doors at this time of year with "Merry Christmas." Nice.

I just think it's interesting that in our democracy we can elect presidents with a simple plurality of the peoples vote, but when it comes to celebrating traditions, we need to have 100% approval from everyone or there will be trouble.

Yes indeed, trouble instigated by TV loudmouths. Is it any wonder this country is as polarized as it is? BTW, U.S. presidents are not elected on a simple plurality of the peoples vote. The electoral college system was developed as a way for wealthy landowners to maintain some control over the political process. Three times in our history, the popular vote has failed to produce an electoral college majority. Even now, a 10-million vote loss can result in an electoral college win and a president inaugurated without having won the popular vote.

 

[peter11435]

Thank you. Bill O'Reilly has vowed to "bring horror" into the world of those who disagree with him as to whether storekeepers must bombard all who enter their doors at this time of year with "Merry Christmas." Nice.

I just want to make myself clear. I have no problem with stores, goverment, and indivisuals saying happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas. To be honest, I think that is probably the right thing to do given the diverse world we now live in. However I do have a problem when it is ok for stores, and government to say Kwanzaa and Hanakah but Merry Christmas is off limits.

 

[jarestel]

BTW, U.S. presidents are not elected on a simple plurality of the peoples vote. The electoral college system was developed as a way for wealthy landowners to maintain some control over the political process. Three times in our history, the popular vote has failed to produce an electoral college majority. Even now, a 10-million vote loss can result in an electoral college win and a president inaugurated without having won the popular vote.

It doesn't change the point of the post, so I saw no need to ramble on more than normal with technical details by stating the obvious. But since you took the time, thanks anyway.

 

[CleveRocks]

Thank you so much for pointing out the religious and secular aspects of the holiday and the DIFFERENCE between them. I am still reeling from the poster who is shocked that non-religious people set up trees and exchange gifts - both traditions which stem from pagan rituals. I wish you a peaceful Christmas.

I don't believe I ever said I was "shocked." Surprised, bemused, but very little shocks me ....

Yes, again, I know the ancient origins of Christmas, but you must realize that general American society would have no knowledge of these older pagan rituals and celebrations if they were not co-opted by Christianity. It is ONLY because of Christianity that 99% of us know anything about such rituals. Some of the observances STEM FROM pagan rituals, but Christianity swallowed them up, transformed them, "Christianized" them, and again I submit that only a VERY small minority of Americans would have trees inside their houses in winter and exchange gifts near the time of the winter solstice were it not for Christianity. How many other pagan rituals does the majority of America celebrate that are NOT somehow related to Christianity? I'm not arguing here, I'm just pointing out that MOST secular people who have the trappings of Christmas are not doing so because of their Celt or Wiccan heritage or beliefs. How many among us would have any idea about the observance of Samhain? VERY, VERY FEW, if it did not become transformed into Halloween.

Merry Christmas!


-- Eric

 

[blueroses]

Another non-Christian here who enjoys the decorations, lights, and good-feelings of the holiday season. I don't get upset when people wish me a "Merry Christmas" because I know they do it with genuine good wishes to me (except Bill O'Reilly of course!), but it does make me sad that it usually doesn't cross people's minds that I might NOT celebrate Christmas.

Happy holidays to everyone!

 

[Angel1]

One simple word could solve this dilemma: COURTESY.

 

[jarestel]

One simple word could solve this dilemma: COURTESY.

Exactly! As long as everyone remembers that courtesy ( and tolerance ) isn't a way one street, it would work just fine.

...but it does make me sad that it usually doesn't cross people's minds that I might NOT celebrate Christmas..

If people are wishing you a Merry Christmas to be mean and cruel to you, I can understand your feelings. But if their intent is send you good wishes, there's no ill intent, and I would simply wish them well and go on my way.