Why is it bad to say "Merry Christmas"?

[Talking Hands]

I say Merry Christmas but I do wish my Jewish friends a Happy Hannukah. I think that it is a shame that we can recognize the religious holidays of every religion except Christianity. Very sad indeed.

 

[CoasterAddict]

Well, as someone who does not celebrate Christmas I can tell you that I don't get *offended* if someone extends the greeting. I do, however, get really tired of hearing it.

Most of the time I just smile and return the greeting. Sometimes I reply, "I don't celebrate Christmas, but I hope you have a nice one."

I don't think "Happy holidays" is any better though. Hanukah moves around relative to the secular calendar, so very often my holiday is long over before anyone other than departments stores start celebrating theirs.

I also agree with the posters who question the presence of any religious holiday in public schools. My mother teaches second grade and I am on her case about that often during the winter.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

You know honestly, if my kids elementary school was allowed to teach about Kwanzaa and Hanukah but not say "Christmas", I'd be asking the teacher what was up. And then the principal. And then writing to the local paper about it. If the argument is separation of church and state, that means ALL holidays, not just excluding Christmas. I guess the kids would be singing ten verses of "let it snow"!
It should be all the holidays or none. Christianity is really getting a bad name from the left (like we are all a bunch of nutcases) and this type of subtle discrimination doesn't help.
Robin M.

 

[bclydia]

Unfortunately, we live in a society where the only group that it is acceptable to discriminate against is Christianity. In fact, it is considered politically correct to believe just about anything and celebrate anything except the birth of Christ. Here on the west coast it's very clear that Christmas as a public celebration is going the way of the Dodo bird. I refuse to wish people "happy holidays" -I'm not celebrating the fact that we have a day off of work. I celebrate the birth of Christ and make a point of choosing cards that wish the recipient a Merry Christmas. I won't even start on the whole X-mas thing!!!! I'm not offended when someone says Happy Hanukah (I've never heard of anyone around here celebrating Kwanzaa. I think that's still primarily a US thing) and won't worry about someone being offended by my wishing them a Merry Christmas.

Have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

 

[Blondie]

Technically they shouldn't be allowed to have any of those parties. I mean, if they're specifically going to avoid one religious holiday they should avoid all of them. They should just have one "holiday" party in general to cover all of them, but if they aren't going to mention Christmas they shouldn't mention anything.

I completely agree.

Back to the question at hand, I don't think it's bad. In today's society, I'd rather someone said "Merry Christmas" to me than "#@%& off!"

 

[HappyMommy2]

Originally posted by Blondie


Back to the question at hand, I don't think it's bad. In today's society, I'd rather someone said "Merry Christmas" to me than "#@%& off!"

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by jmarie
Would someone of another religion be so put out if they were mistakenly wished a "Merry Christmas"?

Yes.

 

[joeokw]

Well.. it is not being PC if you can't say Merry Christmas in public... at least in my case. In our school NYC surburban county where I live.. There is 400,000 people . There are 120,000 Jews, 110,000 Roman Catholics, 70,000 Prostetants 20,000 Muslims, many peoles from the Western Carriberan who have non- christian based worship. and other peoples who do not state their religion according to the census. We have African - Americans who celebrate Kwanza. It just being respectful of ones's culture. I see on this thread how people are upset if they believe Christmas does not get the respect as it should. I think we christians long ago let Christmas lose it's meaning. I mean do we really celebrate the birth of Jesus? or do we celebrate the fact we get really neat stuff, get a week off, go on Vacations during Xmas ..like what is the peak seasons at WDW? Xmas and Easter. Does Santa Claus and the elves really represent the birth of Jesus? Or all the stuff on being pitched on TV, the Sunday paper circulars, or on the radio? is why we look forward to Xmas? Or is it maxing out your credit cards and then listening to CNBC and hearing the Xmas season was not good for business if sales were down? On my block we are of the only 4 Catholics families , no Prostetents families , and 15 Jewish families. When Christmas season is here , no one takes offense when we hang out our , having our Christmas tree in our picture window and our Xmas lights ablazing. We have good cheer and acknowledge the holidays by saying " Happy Holidays " to each others and maybe we think why most of our ancestors came to this country in the first place is too seek the freedom to worship as we please. There may be places in the USA where places may be homogenous and you can say Merry Christmas to everyone in the street and not give a second thought.. but some areas in the USA are like mine. So all I can say everyone do what they feel comfortable and repect others.

 

[goodstarr]

Personally, I take offense to people that assume I celebrate Kwanzaa just because I'm black. Happy Holidays makes no assumptions, just wishes you a happy time at this certain time of year.

 

[EiLuvCinderella]

I fully believe if you have the right INTENTION, to wish happiness to others, it will NEVER offend anyone.
Pure thoughts for happiness to all is never offensive, just generous and thoughtful.

Personally, I do NOT like to see "X-mas". Why would anyone place and x for Christ's name? I proudly proclaim the true meaning of Christmas when I say (and write in my religious Christmas card) Have a blessed Christmas!

We KNOW and believe in the true meaning of Christmas.

Christ the child was born on this holy day to bring salvation to all. I echo the previous thoughts, it is not about presents, maxing out credit cards, etc. It is to show humanity to others in a time of giving and sharing in Christ's love for all.

Happy Thanksgiving

and HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!
And happiness to all!