Why is it bad to say "Merry Christmas"?

[jmarie]

Well, here Christmas is almost here again. A pet peeve of mine that has gotten worse over the years is that it's become politically incorrect to say "Merry Christmas". It has to be "have a nice holiday". Every person you come across in the mall or wherever will not utter the word "Christmas". Are we so afraid of offending others? Would someone of another religion be so put out if they were mistakenly wished a "Merry Christmas"?

My children go to Catholic school, but at my sis-in-law's school, her daughter's class last year was allowed to have a Hanukkah party, a Kwanza party and a "Holiday" party. She called the school to complain-why could the other holiday parties be named, but not Christmas?

Is it me or isn't this a backlash against Christianity in a way...

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Well, as for me, I specifically bought religious cards for the first time, ever. I want to send out Christmas cards that have the true meaning of Christmas. I say go ahead and say "Merry Christmas!"

 

[Nutsy]

Well for me presonally I always say "Happy Christmas",but then again I don't have the mixed culture to deal with either. But even when my kids were little & they had kids of other nationalities in their class, it was always "Christmas" wishes that were passed along.

I guess tho here it is a bit different, as our school year runs the Calendar year & so breaking up day is only a couple of weeks short of Christmas & it's a big bash.

But then again, the reason behind Chirstmas is to celebrate Christs birth, so why do we have to segregate. If we are Christians, no matter which faith, there is only one God & can't we all celebrate this time of year for what it is intended to be.

 

[CBRorBust]

I say Merry Christmas to EVERYONE. Christianity is my faith. I would not feel offended one bit if someone said Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa to me, I would simply say it back to them and be happy that they cared enough about me to say it!

Then again...I think being REALLY PC is annoying! So there you go!

 

[Poohnatic]

I usually say "happy Holidays" and I always have. Long Island (where I grew up) is multi cultural and I had friends of several faiths growing up, so it was what came naturally.

I have never had an employer tell me not to say "Merry Christmas", but it's not the phrase that springs to my mind.

Suzanne

 

[pixiemomma]

I say Happy Holidays. The phrase encompasses all religious holidays and the New Year.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I live in a heavily "mixed" area where "Merry Christmas" is just about never heard. Each year I always send out Christmas cards with the Holy Family on them. And for my Jewish friends, I do send them a Seasons Greeting card. In my little town in NJ where I grew up, all you ever heard was "Merry Christmas!" Yesterday DS and I went to see the Radio City Christmas show. I was thrilled to see their interpretation of Jesus' birth as the last part of the show. It was fantastic!!

 

[Cindyluwho]

I was raised Christian but do not consider myself a Christian now. I have always used the phrase Merry Christmas and would feel offended if someone told me to not use it. You don't have to be a Christian to believe that Christ was a noble person, someone whose life is worth celebrating. Go for it! In fact, Merry Christmas to everyone on this board!

 

[PamOKW]

As it becomes ingrained to say "Happy Holidays" or "Have a nice Holiday", saying Merry Christmas becomes stilted. I hate to see that happen and make an effort to say Merry Christmas whenever possible and always look for Merry Christmas cards. If I know someone does not celebrate, I get a generic card and wish them a "Happy Fill In What they Celebrate" or "Happy New Year".


What annoys me is when I'm talking to someone in church and they say "Happy Holidays". Heck, if we can't wish each other a Merry Christmas there, where can we?

 

[HappyMommy2]

Good question; I was just thinking about that today as I was shopping for Christmas decorations and couldn't find anything to hang on my door that said "Merry Christmas"--everything said "Happy Holidays" or "Welcome Winter" or something like that (all of which were fine and very cute, but I celebrate Christmas and I want something that SAYS Christmas!).

So what about St. Patrick's Day? He was a Christian saint, so should we think about calling it "Celebrate Green" Day or something like that? How about St. Valentine's Day--maybe "National Day of Love"?


JMHO

 

[KathyFP]

It depends on the enviroment that I am in. If I am around people that I know celebrate Christmas, I wish them a Merry Christmas. If I am around friends who celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanza, I wish them a Happy Holiday. If I don't know then I wish them a happy holiday.

I believe it is that we are in a multicultural society and trying to be respectful of others.

 

[Mamu]

How times have changed. I grew up in a town that was predominately catholic. Christmas was always a very special Holiday. Like most communiies times have changed.

With all the changes it's now not politically correct to wish anyone a Merry Christmas.

From where I stand Christmas is the celebration of Christ being born. Why would you celebrate if you didn't believe? Is it a reason to just exchange gifts? Why not exchange gifts on New Years Day, why a celebration on Christmas?

Take Christ out of Christmas and all you get is mas not even a word. How can you celebrate something that doesn't even exist?

I for one will celebrate Christmas with Christ. Whatever a persons religion or beliefs are I will respect them for who they are, not what they believe in, I would expect the same in return.

I do not find other peoples holidays or celebrations offensive, I try to understand their beliefs and religion. Why is the word Christmas so offensive to so many? It's only that persons belief. Until we live in a world where all religions and beliefs are excepted, not persecution or hatred, our world will find no peace.

 

[disykat]

I've never really noticed that. I think people here just say "Merry Christmas". I'll have to take note of it closer. I always assumed since people seem to celebrate from before Thanksgiving until New Years that some people say Happy Holidays to include it all.

I think it's funny that this doesn't bother me at all, but I was one of the few that admitted to being offended about the x-mas thing on another thread.

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by CBRorBust
I would not feel offended one bit if someone said Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa to me, I would simply say it back to them and be happy that they cared enough about me to say it!

I like this attitude. Can I take it as my own?

Peggy

 

[browneyes]

Merry Christmas.

I normally write Merry Holidays on my Christmas cards to encompass all holidays during Christmas season-Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, New Year's, etc. But if I vocally wish someone a greeting during that time, I say Merry Christmas.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Someone mentioned being offended when someone wrote "X-mas". I used to be the secretary at the Presbyterian Church here in town, and the pastor wrote "X-mas" so I asked him about it as I thought that was a no-no, but he said that "X" was the Greek letter for Christ so it was okay to write "X-mas." I still write the whole word out though.

 

[bananiem]

I also respect everyone's choices as to what they believe/celebrate. I try very hard to remember to send "Merry Christmas" cards to those who celebrate Christmas and Happy Holidays card to those who celebrate other holidays during the winter season.
On the other hand- I used to teach at a child care center. We could do Hanukkah and Kwanzaa crafts. We had several families from different countries that could come in and talk about their religious based holidays. But under NO circumstances could we utter the words Christmas, Jesus, or even Santa!! I always wondered why it was OK for kids under the age of 6 to learn about all these other wonderful cultures out there, but not their OWN!! I mean, if the others were represented, shouldn't the beliefs of 90% of the class be taught as well?

 

[Disney Doll]

I say "Merry Christmas" unless I know someone is of a different faith, then I'll say "Happy Hanukah" or "Happy Kwanzaa" or whatever.

I have been at primarily jewish gatherings around holiday time where I have been wished a "Happy hanukah"...it doesn't offend me. I say thanks and same to you.

Life is too short to get so touchy about every little thing, right?

 

[Lewski709]

IT'S BAD????????

I don't think IT"S BAD, just considerate of others who don't celebrate Christmas to say Happy Holidays.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I always say Merry Christmas unless I know the person does not celebrate. I buy religious Christmas cards to send out. Yes there is a trend of shoving Christianity to the side, while embracing OTHER religions and beliefs. This does not surprise me and it shouldn't surprise any other Christian familiar with the Bible.

With all that said:
Christmas was created by the Holy Roman Catholic Church as it was trying to expand its membership by allowing the inclusion of pagans. The pagans celebrated winter solstice so the Catholic Church felt that if there was a winter celebration it would make the pagans feel more comfortable with joining the church (the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol). In the bible there is no set date of when Christ was born, from the passages in the Bible it seems Christ was actually born in the spring. So yes while I acknowledge all this, I also realize there is no harm setting a day aside to rejoice in Christ being born. It's the material things I could do without, though.