The offensive Happy Holidays wish.

[yeartolate]

Mind you I live in Caleeforneea and religious and ethnic diversity is the rule rather than the exception, but why exactly is "Happy Holidays" offensive?

The Happy Holidays term is meant to include the host of holidays (CHristian and otherwise) that begin with Thanksgiving. It would also include Christmas, Chaunaka (pardon the atrocious spelling)New Years, and now Kwanzza).

If I send a Happy Holidays card to one of my devout Catholic friends, I know they would not be offended. Likewise, if they sent me or perhaps one of my Jewish or Muslim friends a Christmas card that quoted bible scripture, we would take it on face value.

The winter holidays gave grown to include a number of different cultural and religious holidays. It has grownt to be a time of year that even non practicing (fill in the religion) or atheists can even enjoy the "comfort and joy" of their friends, neighbors, and family. Isn't that sense of belonging a good thing?

Religion and faith is a deeply personal experience. I have to wonder if hearing the term "Happy Holidays" is so offensive and troubling, perhaps one should look inward towards an answer as to why.

We are at war (ok the original war on terror) that was based on the FACT that a small group of people (Muslims) looked at their own religion so narrowly that the only answer was to try to exterminate us. I guess this gives me pause to want to go the extra mile to encourage diversity. I agree some areas (NOT MOST OR ALL) have gone way overboard. But that is not a nationwide assault on Christians.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Nope, not offended at all. Catholic here. sort of!

It's laughable at how all the whining and attention being drawn to those that are so upset by the phrase is actually making people ignore even more the true meaning of Christmas!! Kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[Skylarr29]

I think the reason that Happy Holiday affends some is because Christmas and Hannuakah are the only religious celebrations of the season. As far as I know Kwanzaa etc are only cultural celebrations. Also I read an interesting article the other day that stated Kwanzaa and the other Holidays of the season are not really in the season as they all started early this year and will not be in December. Just assuming.

I also voted that I am Christian and that I found it offensive.I dont think it is a HUGE deal but I think that everyone is so quick to make sure that minorities are included (not saying they should be excluded in anyway)that in a way Christmas is being excluded. Like the whole "Holiday Tree" thing... does it bother me ... not too much.. but who else decorates a tree for the holidays??? I just think that some people are taking it a little extreme is all. I just believe all religions and all the Holidays should be respected equally and not treated as if Chritmas is a dirty word.

ETA: Flame suit on

 

[AnnaS]

I am Catholic, not offended and I find myself using it all the time. Just curious - does this have anything to do with the "Holiday Tree" that recently went up somewhere - they did not want to call it a Christmas Tree - it might of been in NY - I watch the news but don't absorb anything

Last week the Homily in church was all about Christ being omitted from Christmas in Holiday and in writing - like writing X-Mas. I have started to see signs on peoples lawn also saying Keep Christ in Christmas. I think sometimes some people have too much time on their hands.

 

[castleview]

I'm not offended if anyone says either thing to me. What I find ironic is that this whole discussion is going on nobody has gotten ticked off about the commercialism. I thought that would be a bigger deal.

 

[lisajl]

I started saying Happy Holidays or have a great holiday to our customers after an incident by a co worker.
She was talking to someone that at the time she did not know was Jewish.
This happened last year, my coworker was discussing Christmas and gifts, etc.
The customer was not upset, but a little put off. My co worker felt horrible.
So, the two of us decided to say Happy Holidays instead. We did not want to offend anyone. If someone says Merry Christmas to me, I say it back.
If they say Happy Holidays, I say that.

It does not offend me in the least, I would rather take other peoples feelings into effect than my own.

 

[disykat]

I'm Christian and not offended. I think of "the holidays" as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I don't really know anyone personally that celebrates others.

I think changing Christmas trees to holiday trees and Menorahs to holiday candles is pretty stupid though. I don't even really give that enough credence to bother being offended.

 

[Laura]

I think the reason that Happy Holiday affends some is because Christmas and Hannuakah are the only religious celebrations of the season.

Actually, they're not the only ones.
http://www.candlegrove.com/home.html

 

[va32h]

I am so tired of hearing about this trumped up controversy.

To anyone who is "offended" by "happy holidays" or a "holiday tree" or "Xmas" or any other secular wordings....I ask you this:

Is it only Christmas if a clerk at Best Buy tells you "Merry Christmas"?
Is it only Christmas if you have a Christmas tree?
If I write "Xmas" on a piece of paper, does that mean Jesus was never born?

I said this in another thread, but I'll repeat it here. My 9 year old daughter observed that all the controversy of a "holiday tree" reminded her of the story of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The Grinch tried to steal Christmas by taking all the trappings and outward signs - but Christmas came anyway.

Christmas will come, no matter what greetings I receive, what I call the tree in my living room, or if I choose to abbreviate it with an X.

 

[helenabear]

Last week the Homily in church was all about Christ being omitted from Christmas in Holiday and in writing - like writing X-Mas. I have started to see signs on peoples lawn also saying Keep Christ in Christmas. I think sometimes some people have too much time on their hands.

I'm shocked the a homily would include X-Mas... that originated from the Greek Christos, X. So X-mas is actually keeping Christ in Christmas.

Christian here and not offended by Happy Holidays. I always say that to include Thanksgiving, Christmas and NYE in general. I say that often to my friends who take off and will miss more than one holiday.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I'm not offended- I just don't like it. I think of Happy Holidays as any holiday.
When it's close to Christmas I like Merry Christmas.

 

[Stitchfans]

I see nothing wrong with saying Happy Holidays. It is a cheerful greeting. Wishing someone happiness.

 

[EltonJohn]

I am Xian and it is not offensive in the least.

Last week the Homily in church was all about Christ being omitted from Christmas in Holiday and in writing - like writing X-Mas. I have started to see signs on peoples lawn also saying Keep Christ in Christmas. I think sometimes some people have too much time on their hands.

I think more Xians should do some research to find out why some abbreviate Christmas to Xmas:

"Xmas (or X-mas) is an abbreviation for Christmas. It is derived from the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, transliterated as Christos, which is Greek for Christ. Greek is the language in which the whole New Testament was written."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4097755.stm

Some Xians just make themselves look foolish.

 

[akhenaten]

I am Xian and it is not offensive in the least.



I think more Xians should do some research to find out why some abbreviate Christmas to Xmas:

"Xmas (or X-mas) is an abbreviation for Christmas. It is derived from the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, transliterated as Christos, which is Greek for Christ. Greek is the language in which the whole New Testament was written."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4097755.stm

Some Xians just make themselves look foolish.

You got me for a second!!
I knew the Xmas = christmas,.....but when I saw Xian and Xians...I thought"what religion is that?? " Then I got it!!

A fellow Xian here in NJ
edited to add: I do not find Happy Holidays offensive.....

 

[DVC Jen]

I just don't get how any Christian would get so bent out of shape over someone saying Happy Holidays. Christmas is a holiday right? The person saying it to you may not know if you are Christian, Jewish, Buddist or atheist.

Saying Happy Holidays is actually a POLITE thing to do.

Geesh.. they could be like me and just growl at ya!

 

[yeartolate]

I also voted that I am Christian and that I found it offensive.I dont think it is a HUGE deal but I think that everyone is so quick to make sure that minorities are included (not saying they should be excluded in anyway)that in a way Christmas is being excluded.

I am 45. I have been saying "Happy Holidays" since I was a kid - before it was PC to be PC.

I said Happy Holidays even to my Christian friends because I meant Christmas AND New Years. I even say it around Thanksgiving - to include that holiday as well. It does not mean I never say Merry Christmas - because I certainly do.

I still cannot fathom why folks see the saying of Happy Holidays to be an exclusionary statement. Or a statement to denegrate Christians.

Frankly alot of the disputes of this sort are more fueled by business/sales than anyone wishing ill on another.

 

[ReneeA]

I absolutely do not find it offensive, and I'm a Catholic (oh, and for those of you who do not know...we are Christians, too )

I started saying it years ago, because I worked in a Jewish owned company and most of my co-workers were not Christian. They were very generous with the time off and bonuses around this time of year, and as happy with their holiday as we Christians are with ours. I can't understand why anyone would want to purposely exclude anyone's religion. They have JUST AS MUCH RIGHT to it as we do.

Just seems like common sense to me.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I am Catholic, not offended and I find myself using it all the time. Just curious - does this have anything to do with the "Holiday Tree" that recently went up somewhere - they did not want to call it a Christmas Tree - it might of been in NY - I watch the news but don't absorb anything

The tree of which I'm aware is in Boston.

It is donated each year by the Province of Nova Scotia. The City of Boston wanted to call it a Holiday Tree. The Xmas tree grower in Nova Scotia said that he donated a Christmas tree to Boston and if they were going to call it a Holiday tree then they could just ship it right back to him.

Boston is now calling it a Christmas tree.

 

[tiberius]

The tree of which I'm aware is in Boston.

It is donated each year by the Province of Nova Scotia. The City of Boston wanted to call it a Holiday Tree. The Xmas tree grower in Nova Scotia said that he donated a Christmas tree to Boston and if they were going to call it a Holiday tree then they could just ship it right back to him.

Boston is now calling it a Christmas tree.

That is a good one.

I think where people are taking offense to the issue is cases where Christmas is excluded while other religious and cultural symbols are still used. For instance a school district removing Christmas references (religious and secular) while still retaing references to Hanukka, Kwanza, ... in a Holiday Program.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I am not offended by Happy Holidays.