I read an article in my local paper the other day about a Catholic church that is selling buttons that say "Don't be afraid to wish me a Merry Christmas". I was wondering what the feeling here was regarding this sentiment.

Some people quoted in the article were offended by the buttons and felt that they were exclusionary. Others were relieved, because sometimes people feel that they don't know what to say, and don't want to offend anyone.

In a way, I can understand both viewpoints. I think that "Christmas" has become a gift-giving frenzy instead of the celebration of the birth of Christ (for those that believe). A friend of mine said the other day that she "loves" to "celebrate" Christmas. However, she's Jewish. I told her that she loves to celebrate decorations and trees and exchanging presents, but that she does not celebrate Christmas. At first, she was offended, but then she agreed with me. I told her it was akin to my "celebrating" Passover because I like to sit down with those that I love and eat a big meal.

Has Christmas evolved from a Holy Day for believers in Christ to something else? I'd be curious to know what you folks think.

ugh

I am not a christian, but I am not offended if someone says "merry christmas" to me. I will wish them back infact. You are right that the non-christians will not celebrate for the same reasons as the devout chrisitans do, but I see no harm in it. If not for all those fun aspects, a strictly religious festival might have faded away in today's society. Atleast the spirit is alive. I absolutely love the christmas colors(red, white, gold etc), the decorations and stuff. I visited a CVS store recently and was carried away by the beautiful christmas coloring scheme they have there. Ofcourse I was not thinking about saving a hungry child in Africa or something, but it is a feel good thing. Needless to say, that was IMHO, I don't mean to offend any christian members here. Merry Christmas to everyone in advance

Whats the fuss about Jews "celebrating" Christmas? They're "celebrating" the birth of a fellow Jew.

I'm not Catholic but many of my friends are. Both of my wives were. I grew up in a "mixed" neighborhood and learned early on the wonders of Christmas. I liked them. I "celebrated" some of the tidings of the Christmas season like gift-giving and decorating my home. Is this the true reason to "celebrate"? No, but as an American exposed to other cultures/religions, etc., I feel totally comfortable in this.

There's nothing wrong in a non-Jew sitting down for a seder. Its a wonderful tradition dating back some 3,000 years. One doesn't have to believe in the teachings of the Old Testament to "celebrate" Passover. The same is true of "celebrating" Christmas (one doesn't need to believe the teachings of the New Testament). If everyone would be a little more tolerable of their neighbor's beliefs we'd all be much better off.

Catholics don't have the lock on Christmas. There are plenty more Christian sects that "believe". They make up 75% of our country's population. Like everyone is an Irishman on St. Patty's Day and everyone is an Italian on Columbus Day everyone has the right to "celebrate" Christmas despite differing religious beliefs.

I'm not very tolerant of those who scream that we should rename the season to "Happy Holidays" (to be more politically correct). FUCK THEM Backing out the number of Americans who designate themselves as non-religious, 9 out of 10 Americans are Christian based and celebrate Christmas. Thats reason enough, IMO, to keep it as "Merry Christmas".

I was a bit disgusted when my friend was telling me about her sister's family, who are Jehovah's Witnesses. Mind you, I have no problem with any beliefs usually, but I sure did when I found out that not only do they not celebrate Christmas, but they don't even celebrate birthdays -- according to them, they're pagan rituals (okay, somewhat maybe, but still!). Not for nothin', but I cannot imagine being a kid growing up like that... but apparently the kids don't mind, even tho they USED TO celebrate those things before the parents converted.

In any event - I usually say "Happy Holidays" if I don't know the person's stance. Except last year when I purposely sent Plaw a Christmas card after his rant that DC posted

I am one of those who throughly enjoys sitting down for passover or a sedar. I happen to think that it is beautiful.




No they don't! The corporations do!



That's the Christmas spirit!




DITTO my friend.



Don Cardi

I tell my classes merry christmas without trepidation. It's all crap about this happy holidays stuff. If one does believe in God, why the hell would one think that he gives a flip about what you call it let alone making it a requirement of any sort. I feel the same way about burkas. You think God almighty created (if he did) this fantastic mechanism called a human body and then wants it covered up head to toe? You can call it religious practice or faith or culture all you want; to me, its just plain stupido and, no, I don't respect it!

I say nothing but "Happy Birthday of Jesus Christ Our Lord Our Saviour".

I've been that way for a few days now.

Sorry, SC, I disagree. Yes, I've been to a Seder. But does that mean that I celebrate the true MEANING of the holiday? No. It means that I'm honored to be invited to someone's home to share in a sacred ceremony, and to learn more about a religion different than mine, but that's where it ends, and where it should end, IMHO.

The true meaning of Christmas is celebrating the birth of the Messiah. No, Catholics don't have a "lock" on it, but I feel that it disrespects the holiday (which means Holy Day) if all you want to do is participate in the commercialization of it, without having any feeling for the true sense of what is SUPPOSED to be celebrated.

I'm confused here. Looks to me that you both have said the same thing in regards to the respective religions. So where is the dissagreement?


SB, you've been invited to participate in a sader, you are honored to be invited and share in the ceremony, but that does not mean that you celebrate the true meaning of the sader, "that's where it ends."

SC, you also enjoy the tidings of the season, the gift giving, and the wonders fo Christmas, but that does not mean that you are celebrating the true meaning, "that's where it ends."

Nothing wrong with either.

I think that you've both basically have said the same thing.


Don Cardi

I've always said, "Merry Christmas", not to make a point, but that's just what comes natural for me. For my Jewish friends I say, "Happy Chanukah." "Happy Holidays" just sounds a tad too diluted, cold and impersonal to me though the use of the phrase certainly doesn't offend me. Like "Season's Greetings", it just doesn't quite capture the warmth of the season. I guess to me, "merry" has a more festive connotation than the trite term "happy."

DC,
I think my problem is the word "celebrate". To me, if you are celebrating a holiday, then you are embracing its religious signicance. That's where I disagree with SC. You can enjoy, you can participate, but I don't think that you should "celebrate" Christmas if you don't believe that you are celebrating the birth of the Savior.

Merry Christmas, I think the greeting should be changed to Merry Gift Card Day.

Being the good Christian I am, I have a very simple philosophy.

Merry Christmas, if you're offended, go fuck yourself.

I hope everyone enjoys their Freedom Fries on the Holidays too.

PS: I haven't read if someone already brought this up, but why do people, especially atheists settle for "holidays." Didn't "holiday" come from Holy Day?

Shit, I might offend people with that too.

To all, a Happy Merry Special Time of the Year When the Mall is Packed and the Traffic is bad.

Spoken just like a "good Christian"...

I agree with this. "Happy Holidays" is like talking about the weather. Big Deal.

I'm a Christian, but that doesn't mean I have to get all offended if a Jewish friend, or stranger for that matter, wishes me a "Happy Chanukah"! I respect other people's beliefs and if they are offended by me saying "Merry Christmas" then they need to chill out. There are much more important things in the world to be upset about.

I've tried, and ran into several difficulties.

Screw that Happy Holidays bullshit! It's Christmas time. Christ the Savior was born. It's a time to celebrate his birth. People have Christmas dinner, go Christmas shopping, put up Christmas decorations and play Christmas music. So I say MERRY CHRISTMAS! For those who don't like it, well sorry, it is what it is...Christmas time!

To my Jewish friends, I will greet them by wishing them a Happy Channukah during the days of Channukah.

But Happy Holidays? Those are weasal words used by those who want to be "poltically correct" and are offended by the true meaning and spirit of the season.


Merry Christmas to all!



Don Cardi

OK, I won't come and visit your home for Christmas. The 4th of July is another story, though.

I agree DC. There would be no damn "holiday" if it weren't for the fact that it commemorates the birth of Jesus.

"Holy day."




So you'd rather celebrate the 4th of July with hamburgers and hot dogs rather than celebrate Christmas with Fried Calamari, Baked Clams, Scungili, Crab Meat, Lobster Tails, Stuffed Shrimp, Spaghetti and Clams, Baked Ziti, Manicotti, Christmas Cookies, Strufala, etc.?

Suit yourself.



Don Cardi

But I'm not allowed to "celebrate" Christmas. (I'll take my hamburger well-done).

BTW - Where in the New Testament is it written that these foods are used to celebrate Christ's birth?

And to all a goodnight.

This just makes me so sad that there are people who have nothing better to do with their lives than to cause hate and discontent. By starting this crap Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night
Happy Channukah to all and to all a good night

And Happy New Year to

My wife owns and operates a Montessori pre-school and kindergarten, whose clientele is represented by just about every race and creed. In fact, her kindergarten teacher is a dynamic lady, who is a Mexican Jew.Thus, when it's time for the annual "Holiday Program", they considered being ultra politically correct, but decided that watered down references to the specific holidays wouldn't be too interesting for kids 1 to 6.

Instead, the kids honored Chanukah with a spirited, albeit clumsy reenactment of the battle scenes of Judah Macabee with appropriate narration. Christmas was honored with a Nativity Pageant, in which Mary was Indian and Joseph Asian. They paid tribute to Kwanza with a play and music. In the end an older child was dressed as Santa in a cardboard sled that was pulled by nine kids dressed as reindeer with 2 year old elves looking confused while the rest of the school sang Here Comes Santa Claus.

Everyone loved it.

By the way, a day care nearby mandates that on March 17 there can be no reference to St. Patrick, and that the day be referred to as Green Day to welcome Spring. What a kick in the Shamrocks.

The main thing I can't stand about the Jehovah's Witness religion (mind you that I have an aunt who is a Jehovah's Witness), is the fact that they don't say the pledge of allegeance. WTF?! You can't pledge loyalty to the country who gives you the right to practice your religion without having to die for it?

I don't see what's so hard about wishing people "Happy Holidays"? It avoids confusion and/or offence. It covers everything. Why do people insist on saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Chanukah"? Just cover them all. I didn't think "Holidays" was difficult to pronounce, so why protest to saying it? I don't know.

So to all, regardless of your 'religion': Happy Holidays!!

What's the freaking problem? It's wonderful to celebrate whatever religious holiday you believe in. Keep in mind that Christmas and Hanukah aren't the only holidays anyway. I just keep it general anyway, Happy Holidays. It's hardly PC at all. There's more than one holiday, hence the plural form.

This is what I don't understand. Why does saying "Merry Christmas" cause confusion and offense? I'm beginning to think that the non-religious are the only ones that get offended, and it just seems so silly.

In fact, generally speaking, it is the conservatives who are religious and say "Merry Christmas" and the liberals are the ones that make a fuss about it. I find it ironic since liberals accuse conservatives of being close-minded and bigoted.