Athiests/ Non-Christians- Is "Merry Christmas" offensive

  • Thread starter Thread starter musicgal4jesus
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

musicgal4jesus

Guest
There’s been a lot of brouhaha about the whole “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” (etc.) battle. I would like to get an opinion from the “general populace”:
Does Merry Christmas really offend you? Do you actually prefer to hear “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings”?

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!
 
Nope. I’m not about to get all up in someone’s face for spreading goodwill.
 
‘Merry Christmas’ does not offend me as a Muslim. I prefer to hear ‘Merry Christmas’ to ‘Happy Holidays’, one reason being that I feel happy the person giving the greeting credits me with the goodwill to accept it in good spirit!
 
Nope, doesn’t offend me, but don’t be surprised if I occasionally answer, “Thanks, and a Happy Solstice to you!”😉 . I don’t find “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” offensive either and have never had a preference for one over the others, nor did I when I was still trying to make myself believe I could be Christian. There are much bigger things to worry about than that someone is wishing you happiness.

I also don’t ask folks to see their citizenship cards before saying “Happy 4th of July”. 🤷 Many Americans celebrate a specifically American secular holiday of Christmas in addition to or instead of celebrating it as a religious holiday, so I don’t see the big deal. We celebrate the American secular version of Christmas in addition to our religious holiday of Winter Solstice, for instance. We have a religious observance and exchange gifts on Winter Solistice (Dec. 21/22), then we have a Santa stocking on Christmas morning and visit relatives who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. If we had relatives of other religions, we would likely visit them on their holidays as well, if we were invited.

If I know someone well enough to know their religion, I will try to offer appropriate greetings for their holidays (and try to be sure they actually are on those holidays, rather than assuming that all other holidays fall on Christmas).

Freedom of religion does not mean that you will never have to acknowledge that another religion exists.🙂

What I do find ridiculous is the bit about “ho, ho, ho” in Australia news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071115/wl_asia_afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat
and “family trees” at an American hardware chain snopes.com/politics/christmas/familytree.asp.

Neither is quite as annoying, however, as the perennial lack of understanding shown by saying that Xmas is trying to “take Christ out of Christmas”. That is simply lack of understanding the history of one’s own religion.
 
KarenNC said:
Nope, doesn’t offend me, but don’t be surprised if I occasionally answer, “Thanks, and a Happy Solstice to you!”😉 . I don’t find “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” offensive either and have never had a preference for one over the others, nor did I when I was still trying to make myself believe I could be Christian. There are much bigger things to worry about than that someone is wishing you happiness.

I also don’t ask folks to see their citizenship cards before saying “Happy 4th of July”. 🤷 Many Americans celebrate a specifically American secular holiday of Christmas in addition to or instead of celebrating it as a religious holiday, so I don’t see the big deal. We celebrate the American secular version of Christmas in addition to our religious holiday of Winter Solstice, for instance. We have a religious observance and exchange gifts on Winter Solistice (Dec. 21/22), then we have a Santa stocking on Christmas morning and visit relatives who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. If we had relatives of other religions, we would likely visit them on their holidays as well, if we were invited.

If I know someone well enough to know their religion, I will try to offer appropriate greetings for their holidays (and try to be sure they actually are on those holidays, rather than assuming that all other holidays fall on Christmas).

Freedom of religion does not mean that you will never have to acknowledge that another religion exists.🙂

What I do find ridiculous is the bit about “ho, ho, ho” in Australia news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071115/wl_asia_afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat
and “family trees” at an American hardware chain snopes.com/politics/christmas/familytree.asp.

Neither is quite as annoying, however, as the perennial lack of understanding shown by saying that Xmas is trying to “take Christ out of Christmas”. That is simply lack of understanding the history of one’s own religion.
Click to expand...
I read the link about “ho ho ho” in Australia. My question is, is the Home Depot going to change the name of the gardening tool?
 
Every year Fox News makes up the “War on Christmas” story. It’s a non-issue IMO, made up by O’Reilly’s producer.
 
I prefer ‘merry christmas’.

‘happy holidays’ sound generic to me. besides this phrase doesnt translate well to filipino.
 
valient_Lucy said:
I read the link about “ho ho ho” in Australia. My question is, is the Home Depot going to change the name of the gardening tool?
Click to expand...
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

You know in this politically-correct-afraid-to-offend-agenda-filled world I wouldn’t be surprised:bigyikes:
 
I am a Norse Heathen. That is, I honor as my Elder Kin the Æsir and Vanir and seek to follow, as best I am able, the customs and traditions of my ancestors.

That said, I do not find greetings such as “Merry Christmas!” offensive. There is no need to be offended by this salutation. The people giving it are giving it in good spirit according to their own customs and traditions.

By the same token, if I respond by saying “Thor ward you!” the hearer should not be offended if they are not a Heathen. Again, it is given in good spirit and according to my customs and traditions.

While I do not want my son exposed to Christian theology and doctrine in a public school, I do not mind them drawing or painting Christmas trees, especially as these are just Pagan Yule trees put to a new use, or singing about Santa Claus, and so forth. The place for nativities and baby Jesuses is Church and home.

I do, however, get tired of what I can only describe as Christian panhandlers accosting me outside of stores like Wal-Mart, thrusting literature into my hand, seeking to engage me in conversation as I get into or out of my car, and so forth. This sort of in-your-face behavior goes far beyond a simple and happy greeting.
 
The Vatican wishes greetings to many faiths on their most important holidays, such as Happy Vesak greetings to Buddhists. It is appropriate that non Christians say Merry Christmas to Christians.

I don’t see a problem with the greeting.

I would not see a problem with manger scenes on government property if the govenment also celebrated the major holidays of every religion and put up a bare aluminum poll for the celebration of Festivus. 😉
 
I agree. I have myself said “Merry Christmas” to Christians, though I have yet to find a Christian issue a religiously-appropriate greeting in return…their response is usually “I am disappointed in you” or “we need to talk.” I just want to exchange greetings; I don’t want to be converted. :eek:
 
Not to me, I like Christmas :). That said, I also do not get offended at greetings from other random religions, as I assume the person is just trying to be nice. I do find it amusing when people call for boycotting stores for saying/not saying some random greeting.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top