Sending religious Christmas cards to the non-religious

[Angeni11]

I am Jewish and have always sent out Christmas Cards or Happy Holiday cards to my friends who are not Jewish and Hanukkah cards to our friends who are Jewish. We have some friends that are very religious and some not so much but I usually get really cute ones (I love the handmade ones Costco has every year) and if one has a bit more religious overtones I might send it to friends who would appreciate it.

Oh and hubby is Church of England but I did this even before I met him.

I will admit if I do get a religious Christmas card that is very obviously so I stick it behind some of the others we display on the mantle. I am not offended that they sent it to me because it is the thought that counts and other then my grandfather and parents we only receive Christmas cards not Hanukkah ones even though they know I am Jewish (and our boys). I love getting cards in the mail and look forward to it.

 

[timmac]

I generally don't care what kind of cards people send me... too silly to worry about. (I'm atheist, FWIW) I appreicate that someone thought enough to send me a card, and am perfectly fine with the likelihood that they just got a big box of them to send everyone. If someone were to make the special effort to send me something non-religious, then great, but I don't expect it.

The only exception to this (as it shows there was backhanded thought) is if the card includes some sort of indication that I should convert to their faith, attend their church, or the religious sentiment in it goes out of it's way to be obnoxious about it. A handwritten addition of "Jesus is the reason for the season" or "Keep Christ in Christmas" *would* annoy me, though I have never had that happen.

 

[furb & dez]

Its obvious that "self-righteous" can be seen on both sides .

Self-righteousness implies a feeling of moral superiority; this doesn't apply. As I clearly indicated, I send them these simply to watch them foam at the mouth over their own issues. This has nothing to do with projecting my own beliefs as superior or their beliefs/actions as inferior. This has everything to do with torment. Some people are just easy to set off; you just have to find the right way to tweak their nose. And yes, these are FRIENDS, not enemies - they know what to expect from me.

So... perhaps you should know the definition and proper use of a word before you attempt to use it?

 

[Uncle Remus]

Self-righteousness implies a feeling of moral superiority; this doesn't apply. As I clearly indicated, I send them these simply to watch them foam at the mouth over their own issues. This has nothing to do with projecting my own beliefs as superior or their beliefs/actions as inferior. This has everything to do with torment. Some people are just easy to set off; you just have to find the right way to tweak their nose. And yes, these are FRIENDS, not enemies - they know what to expect from me.

So... perhaps you should know the definition and proper use of a word before you attempt to use it?

Tweak their nose, I like that description.

 

[furb & dez]

Tweak their nose, I like that description.

A friend isn't really a friend if you can't point out to them their (or your own) foibles and stupidities.

If you only want to hear sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns from your friends, then you're just a fair-weather friend!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Am I the only one who doesn't even really KNOW their friend's religious beliefs?

The only one I know is my best friend since high school.....Funny story about how I found out:

Jessica is VERY smart...Straight As, AP classes...now working on her masters...But she is as DITZY as they come.

We were in her mom's truck when we were in high school...Ironically on the way to Disney...And I asked her what religion she is. She said, "I think it starts with a 'U'.....UTHERIAN!"....I was like, "Jessica it's LLLLLUTHERIAN..." But the best part is, her mom actually pulled over, off of the road, turned around in her seat to better see us,took her sunglasses off her eyes and said, "Jess....We're Episcopalian" ...Then eased back onto the road

 

[Uncle Remus]

A friend isn't really a friend if you can't point out to them their (or your own) foibles and stupidities.

If you only want to hear sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns from your friends, then you're just a fair-weather friend!

Darlin', I know exactly what ya mean, if I ain't tweaked your nose, you probably ain't one of my closest friends!!

 

[marcyinPA]

I send photo cards, and everyone gets the same card. Some years are faith based, and some aren't. it depends on the style I like best that year. It actually would offend ME if a friend or family member was offended. My faith is part of who I am- like it or leave it. If you don't like my sentiment that I believe in, then throw the card out. Or better yet, contact me to get off my list. Saves me postage.

Lucky for me, in the 20+ years I've been sending out my own cards, I have NEVER EVER had anyone complain.

 

[Momvic5]

I send photo cards, and everyone gets the same card. Some years are faith based, and some aren't. it depends on the style I like best that year. It actually would offend ME if a friend or family member was offended. My faith is part of who I am- like it or leave it. If you don't like my sentiment that I believe in, then throw the card out. Or better yet, contact me to get off my list. Saves me postage.

Lucky for me, in the 20+ years I've been sending out my own cards, I have NEVER EVER had anyone complain.

I feel the same way...I want to receive cards from my family and friends that represent them - not me. As much as I get irritated by my aunt's over-zealous religious written letters, I would miss them if I didn't get them. If she just sent me a "Merry Christmas - Love, Aunt Jane", I would probably call her to make sure she was okay. I also have a friend that lives in Montana, and she and her family are HUGE hunters. Every year, we receive a detailed Christmas letter documenting their hunts and kills. We are not hunters and do not enjoy seeing their kills, but their card represents them. I don't want it any other way. My dh has a coworker who does not celebrate with a Christmas tree in their home. They celebrate the season by decorating a tree outside of their home with orange slices, popcorn, and toast, and their card is usually a photo of their family in front of their outside tree. I love the diversity....I am glad my friends and family are not worried about offendig me.....

 

[snykymom]

I and my family are Jewish. I don't mind the "Merry Christmas" types of cards. I also don't mind more religious cards from people who know us only slightly, or from businesses. I don't mind people wishing me a Merry Christmas in stores or restaurants.

I do mind religious cards, with mangers and angels and scripture or "Jesus is the reason" on them from people who know me. Yes, it's the "thought that counts." But this thought says, "Yeah, I thought of you, but not too much. I couldn't be bothered to get you a different kind of card, and your name's on my list. Here you go." I'd rather get nothing.

I had a friend who always sent us Christmas cards - not overly religious but the occasional manger popped up. Her in-laws were Jewish and she was incensed the year they sent her a Chanukah card, and her daughter a present wrapped in Chanukah paper. "Don't they know yet that we're Christian???" I could only stand there shaking my head as I picked my jaw up off the floor.

 

[yoopermom]

I thought of this thread yesterday when I was picking out pictures to include in our photo montage Christmas card. One I included is of DS holding a stuffed rat . I included it because one of the highlights of his year was going to 4-H camp and learning taxidermy (aka how to skin and stuff a rat). It's unappealing, but it's a big memory of the year for him, so people who receive it can just put it behind their other more normal cards !

Terri

 

[lovin'fl]

The other person was arguing that if the person sending the card knows you are not religious, then sending the card is disrespectful, akin to prothletising. He also made the point that if you sent a card saying something like, "On this day, roughly 2012 years ago... Nothing happened," to someone who was religious it would be viewed as completely disrespectful and even hurtful.

Well if someone is athiest, they would not be sending cards out at Christmas and if they did go out of their way to send out such a card for Christmas (like mentioned in the above quote)...yes, that is very disrespectful. That person would be trying to incite bad feelings.

I send out Christmas cards because I am Christian...I don't send religious cards, but I do like them to say Merry Christmas. I receive bland cards and very religious cards and picture cards and funny cards and character cards (I sent out Mickey Mouse ones this year) and everything in between...and none of them offend me. I like the picture cards most. I am NOT a fan of Christmas letters, but that's a whole 'nother thread we'd need to start.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Well if someone is athiest, they would not be sending cards out at Christmas and if they did go out of their way to send out such a card for Christmas (like mentioned in the above quote)...yes, that is very disrespectful. That person would be trying to incite bad feelings.

I send out Christmas cards because I am Christian...I don't send religious cards, but I do like them to say Merry Christmas. I get bland cards and very religious cards and picture cards and funny cards and character cards (I sent out Mickey Mouse ones this year) and everything in between...and none of them offend me. I like the picture cards most. I am NOT a fan of Christmas letters, but that's a whole 'nother thread we'd need to start.

We're atheists 'n we're doin' our Christmas cards this weekend. And we'll have the Christmas tree lit while we do it too!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I send the same card to everyone. If I know they are Christian, I write "Merry Christmas" inside, if they are Jewish, I write "Happy Hanukkah". I normally don't send out overly religous cards, but it may have a Nativity and will most likely say "Merry Christmas" on the outside. One year, I did find a big box of mixed cards, and sent the more religous ones to friends and family who were religious, and the more generic ones to those who would appreciate the sentiment. I really think it is the thought that counts, and if someone was upset with the TYPE of card they got, then they may not be someone I need to keep spending time and money on.

 

[violetrose]

I buy generic Happy Holidays cards and then write a note to the person I am sending the card to - if they are religious I will wish them a happy (fill in the holiday), if not, then I will usually wish them a happy new year.

I have a lot fo Jewish friends - I can't imagine sending them a religious Christmas card. Would seem not very thoughtful of me to do so imo. I doubt they would be offended, but I do think they would feel my card was a generic thing I sent to everyone and what really is the point of that? I try to personalize the cards I send (which are not that many!)

 

[marie1203]

We have friends of countries, religions, etc they all get the same christmas card and I am not offended by whatever card they send. They are my friends and I respect their believes as they respect mine. It is just nice to see a picture a little note from them once a year and now how they are doing.

 

[metalis4ever]

Well if someone is athiest, they would not be sending cards out at Christmas and if they did go out of their way to send out such a card for Christmas (like mentioned in the above quote)...yes, that is very disrespectful. That person would be trying to incite bad feelings.

I send out Christmas cards because I am Christian...I don't send religious cards, but I do like them to say Merry Christmas. I get bland cards and very religious cards and picture cards and funny cards and character cards (I sent out Mickey Mouse ones this year) and everything in between...and none of them offend me. I like the picture cards most. I am NOT a fan of Christmas letters, but that's a whole 'nother thread we'd need to start.

My DW and I are Atheists and we send out Christmas cards to our Christian Friends and secular cards to our Atheist Friends. Many of our Atheist Friends also send us secular cards and my Christian Friends also send us secular Christmas cards in return, because we love and respect each other

We're atheists 'n we're doin' our Christmas cards this weekend. And we'll have the Christmas tree lit while we do it too!

DW and I are doing the same, but we'll be blasting Halford - Winter Songs and Trans Siberian Orchestra while writing them out

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Well if someone is athiest, they would not be sending cards out at Christmas and if they did go out of their way to send out such a card for Christmas (like mentioned in the above quote)...yes, that is very disrespectful. That person would be trying to incite bad feelings.

I know atheists and religious non-Christians who send out greeting cards at this time of year, too. Some Christmas oriented, some Hanukkah oriented, some more generic. It's become a common tradition among all Americans, not just those who celebrate Christmas.

IMO, people who say cards should represent the sender's beliefs over the recipient's shouldn't be offended by a "2000 years ago, nothing happened" card, either. (not directed at you, lovin'fl, just in general.)

 

[collegejunkie]

i'm an atheist and i love any and all christmas/holiday cards! i don't care if they're religion based. as you said, you are thinking of me and that's what i'm appreciative of.