It's December 20th, and I'm 'Merry Christmas' free

[Nick Douglas]

I travel to many cities for my work, including being in 9 in the last 10 weeks. Of all the hotel check-in desks, rental car counters and airline screening stations I've been to -- not to mention the everyday shopping centers and restaurants that every day folks see -- I have yet to hear, "Merry Christmas", "Happy Hanukkah," or any other religion-themed greeting. On the other hand, I have "Happy Holidays" coming out of my ass right about now.

According to Christian conservatives (not to start an argument, but I have to be truthful in naming where this controversy is originating) this is all part of an assault on organized religion, and to a greater degree an assault on Christian traditions. Some people have even gone so far as to make blatantly false and misleading statements to get their point across. As one example, Federated (the company that owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's) has been accused of mandating that employees say, "Happy Holidays," rather than, "Merry Christmas." Though it is true that Christmas signage is absent from Federated, I know for a fact that Federated employees aren't told what they can and can't say to customers because Chioma works in Human Resources at a Los Angeles area Bloomie's.

The fact is that liberals are not launching some kind of offensive against Christians. They just don't want to offend anyone and they don't want to have someone else's beliefs thrown in their face. A lot has been made about political correctness and folks being too sensitive, but just remember that most of these people are members of groups that are far less likely to be offended by populist societal conventions (white, Christian, suburban, etc). More than a few fellow liberals find it very hypocritical that folks who complain about political correctness gone wild are now acting excessively offended by the fact that churches aren't allowed to recruit by having floats in public holiday parades and similar "attacks" on Christmas.

As for me, I try to stick to "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah". Maybe it's my contrarian nature or a reaction to all of these news stories, but I just like the sound of Merry Christmas compared to Happy Holidays. Believe it or not, I'm actually hoping that at least one rebellious person offers me a religious greeting of some kind as I frequent malls, restaurants and airports the rest of this week.

 

[djv]

I think everyone should go to the Church of there choice and pray. Even go to the worship hall if thats what they want to call it.
However I don't need to here any of this chit at the wall mart store. And call it what you wish. Merry X Mas, Happy Holidays, Season Greetings. Happy New Year. What Ever. But For since the season has become all about money and less about church. Lets keep floats all about the 50% sales at all the stores.

 

[smurphy]

This is an area where I probably end up closer to the conservative element - minus all the bitching. I really don't care what people say or do on the surface - as long as we are all still able to celebrate or pray as we see fit. I don't care if non-Christians are offended at a Christian holiday. It's like speaking English IMO. You live here and you should be willing to accept the language and the holidays. Christmas has been with this country from day 1 (unlike "under God" which wasn't even imposed until the '50s).

I say "Merry Christmas" without even thinking about it. I'm baffled that a citizen of this country would be offended - just as I'm baffled that people boycott Macy's because they removed the word from their stores and ads.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

[saint]

The fact is that liberals are not launching some kind of offensive against Christians. They just don't want to offend anyone and they don't want to have someone else's beliefs thrown in their face. A lot has been made about political correctness and folks being too sensitive, but just remember that most of these people are members of groups that are far less likely to be offended by populist societal conventions (white, Christian, suburban, etc).

I'm assuming you are referring to the holiday of Christmas as "populist societal convention" and not the birth of Christ.

 

[pirate fan]

Being a christian and celebrating Christmas, I understand these things as only meant in a good way, or at least it should be. If someone says Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuhhah, or good morning, I take it only as someone extending a pleasent greeting. It is to bad that some people see this as an opportunity to push some religious doctrine or as perceived as such. I think the world is getting to wrapped up in this and missing the whole peupose of extending a greeting to someone. I am very religious and Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ, even though it didn't really happen on Dec. 25th. It is the spirit of giving, as God gave us His only Son for our redemption. Happy Holidays is very nice to say and is said intentionally not to offend, but still offer a polite greeting. If I know the person is christian, jewish, or doesn't celebrate either, I try to say the appropriate greeting relative to their faith, or lack of. There is nothing wrong with trying to not offend others and still being gracious at the same time. Most people only are trying to be respectful. Unfortunately you will get the two extremes getting most of the headlines, which in my opinion is the vast minority. Happy Holidays.

 

[ocelot]

Nick:

MERRY CHRISTMAS MAN.

 

[Nick Douglas]

Merry Christmas to you , too, Ocelot.

saint,

I am referring to making Christmas a publicly celebrated holiday with all of its accoutrements.

 

[Chanman]

Nick:

MERRY CHRISTMAS MAN.

Pardon the phrase but, "DITTO."

http://www.alternet.org/story/14531

 

[kosar]

Seasons Greetings, Nick. Hang in there. I'm thinking about going to the NC game. If I do, i'll stop by your tailgate and wring your neck in person.

 

[Nick Douglas]

Thanks for the offer, kosar. I don't even know any details about this alleged tailgate party, other than it is sponsored by Miller Lite and that I'm paying fifteen gosh darn dollars.

 

[kosar]

That's not bad if it includes food, or at least beer.

 

[kosar]

Christmas Flap
by Charley Reese
by Charley Reese



I see there is the usual flap going on about the secularization of Christmas. That's mainly the fault of Christians, many of whom in their personal lives are about as secular as you can get.

Christmas is a Christian holiday. Santa Claus, though based on a Christian saint, and Christmas trees really have nothing to do with the religious aspect of the celebration. To that extent, anyone is welcomed to celebrate it. The Protestant denomination in which I grew up is a literalist denomination. Since there is no mention of Dec. 25 in the Bible, it does not observe Christmas as a religious event. Nevertheless, we did the Santa Claus and the Christmas tree bit.

It is mainly the original church, the Orthodox, and the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, that seriously celebrate the religious holiday, though a number of Protestant sects have concerts or special services.

I don't think nativity scenes belong on courthouse lawns and or other government properties. For one thing, in its usual weaselly way, the Supreme Court said that such scenes must include secular symbols. Well, what's the point of having them then? Christ wasn't born under a tree, and Santa Claus wasn't present. True nativity scenes belong, appropriately, on church property.

Christmas carols, however, are another matter. It is stupid and intolerant in the extreme to ban the singing of Christmas carols by school choirs or glee clubs. Much of the most beautiful music written has been inspired by religion. I've never heard of anyone claiming that a symphony orchestra that performed Handel's "Messiah" was attempting to establish religion. Singing religious songs is not establishing religion. It is recognizing that much of the world's great art has been religious-based.

People who claim to be "offended" by the sights or sounds from another religion brand themselves as bigots. Beauty is beauty, whether its inspiration is Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or Buddhist. In a plural society, there is no room for such bigotry. Religion as art or history is allowable in public schools. Timid school administrators should just say to bigots, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, and if you think hearing 'Joy to the World' is going to make your ears fall off or endanger your soul, then don't attend the concert."

I read an article once by comedian Jack Benny's daughter. She said that even though they were Jewish, they always had a Christmas tree and joined their neighbors in caroling. That is the true spirit of religious tolerance. Joining one's neighbors in their religious observances does not threaten one's own religious beliefs.

In the end, religion is an individual affair, and no one who is genuinely religious can be "secularized" by others. What jaw-flappers on television say, what the government says or doesn't say, can have no effect on a religious person unless he or she allows it.

Most of the cultural elite in Europe and America are secular, which might explain why Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. It is always a mistake to think that you can take the "magic" out of religion and still have a religion. All religions, with the exception of Zen Buddhism, are based on belief in supernatural events and beings. They are a matter of faith, not reason or scientific proof.

Ecumenicalism, which goes beyond simple good manners and tolerance of differences, is a false hope. Religions are mutually contradictory. If the religious Jews are right, then the Christians are wrong. If the Christians are right, then the Jews are wrong. If Islam is correct, then both Jews and Christians are wrong. There is no way to reconcile fundamental religious beliefs.

The great advantage of our freedom of religion is that nobody has to reconcile conflicting beliefs. Americans can believe what they want, and their only obligation is to leave others free to believe as they wish.

Finally, let us please eliminate the merchant-inspired euphemism "Happy Holidays." If you don't wish to recognize Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever, then don't say anything. There is no such event as a generic holiday.

And, by the way, have a Merry Christmas.

 

[Nick Douglas]

I don't believe beer is comped, but I have to assume that I'll at least get a hot dog and some potato chips. Like I said, let me know if you're coming and we'll meet up.

 

[Chanman]

http://www.reason.com/hod/gh121704.shtml

 

[Palmetto Pimp]

Happt Festivus for the rest of us.

The weight to strength ratio is amazing.

 

[pirate fan]

Kosar
Ecumenism is not a false hope because wheather Jew, christiam, muslim, we all believe in the same God. Their is one main belief that we can all share and can build from. The rest is respect for each other and their respective beliefs. Even all three believe in Jesus, just in varying degrees. Hating each other because they don't believe what I believe is the problem and each group, like everything else has its fanatics that distort and give bad misrepresentations of their religions. Ecumenicalism starts with respecting each other, not trying to form one religion.

 

[SixFive]

Merry Christmas, Nick Douglas!

Personally, I have never seen a person be offended by that, and if they were, I could really care less.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Hmmm Think I will spend my time trying to find new supply company for my calenders next year that has Holiday under the 25th instead of Christmas--then on way home I will hum (can't sing) "I'm Dreaming of a White Holiday--sit down turn on TV and see if I can find movie "Random Occurence on 44th Street, just to accomodate the insignificant few that I would otherwise offend

 

[kosar]

Kosar
Ecumenism is not a false hope because wheather Jew, christiam, muslim, we all believe in the same God. Their is one main belief that we can all share and can build from. The rest is respect for each other and their respective beliefs. Even all three believe in Jesus, just in varying degrees. Hating each other because they don't believe what I believe is the problem and each group, like everything else has its fanatics that distort and give bad misrepresentations of their religions. Ecumenicalism starts with respecting each other, not trying to form one religion.

Thanks Piratefan. I didn't write that article, but I agree with this part of it:

Ecumenicalism, which goes beyond simple good manners and tolerance of differences, is a false hope. Religions are mutually contradictory. If the religious Jews are right, then the Christians are wrong. If the Christians are right, then the Jews are wrong. If Islam is correct, then both Jews and Christians are wrong. There is no way to reconcile fundamental religious beliefs.

 

[djv]

And to all a Good Night. High end stores report the rich are spending big this year. Thats what it's really all about is it not. It's about Santa and X Mas when your under 12. After that it's about corporate America. Well now China. But Merry is right.