The God Questions

[deep]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

we can think it's not a big deal because it isn't a big deal to us ... but i have a hunch being a non-Christian (and not just agnostic/atheist) and being told to have a Merry Christmas is a little bit exhausting similar to how i feel when people sometimes ask me point blank if i'm married.

good lookin' fella like you

you just haven't met the right woman yet

[cobl04]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

there are far, far, far worse offenses in the world. but i don't see anything wrong with taking a moment to consider the feelings of others and moderating our assumptions and taking a more inclusive path with our words.

Wouldn't this lead to require someone, before administering a happy personal greeting, to ask a stranger about their religious beliefs, political leanings, sexual orientation, financial situation, etc? Seems like a lot of effort to go to. You'd just end up with a whole lot of people saying nothing because they are trying to be PC.

[deep]

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

Playing the numbers game, I've also known far more people who find "happy holidays" patronizing than "merry Christmas" offensive.

as simple as majority imposing on minority
and if you are with the majority, cool

the real question here is, who is being harmed, however small it is
Christians will surely send Christmas cards to each other, and have Chritmas crap all over their homes and churches and other segregated places, that's fine and reasonable
the arogance that they have a right to claim to be offended because in public places they should be asked to show some common courtesy to the 20-25% that do not want any of their hooey, that is offensive?? really

if that is the case then gays, that are only 5%? should just suck it up and participate in our dominate hetero society,

So Irvine, don't worry I am sure you will find a good woman and start a family some day, it's all in God's plan

[LemonMelon]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

why patronizing?

The argument here is that "happy holidays" is a cookie cutter response, which I don't consider relevant; they're all cookie cutter. Nor am I at all offended by "happy holidays." I just don't understand why anyone would care about a "wrong" greeting when they don't even know the person. If I did and they were trying to anger me, that would be a different matter. In the context we're talking about, the intention is always good.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

The argument here is that "happy holidays" is a cookie cutter response, which I don't consider relevant; they're all cookie cutter. Nor am I at all offended by "happy holidays." I just don't understand why anyone would care about a "wrong" greeting when they don't even know the person. If I did and they were trying to anger me, that would be a different matter. In the context we're talking about, the intention is always good.

maybe i'm reading too fast and, like Donnie, i'm like a child who wanders in to the middle of a movie and wants to know what's going on ... but doesn't it seem that precisely because you don't know the person you should be aware of potentially the wrong greeting?

i understand HH as not cookie cutter but inclusive -- not just of different faiths or non faiths, but to the myriad holidays that happen between Halloween and Orthodox Christmas.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by cobl04

Wouldn't this lead to require someone, before administering a happy personal greeting, to ask a stranger about their religious beliefs, political leanings, sexual orientation, financial situation, etc? Seems like a lot of effort to go to. You'd just end up with a whole lot of people saying nothing because they are trying to be PC.

or we're just a little bit more polite?

[LemonMelon]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

maybe i'm reading too fast and, like Donnie, i'm like a child who wanders in to the middle of a movie and wants to know what's going on ... but doesn't it seem that precisely because you don't know the person you should be aware of potentially the wrong greeting?

No, I fully agree with you on this. It's just the argument I hear from my father and others who subscribe to the War on Christmas.

[nathan1977]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

maybe i'm reading too fast and, like Donnie, i'm like a child who wanders in to the middle of a movie and wants to know what's going on ... but doesn't it seem that precisely because you don't know the person you should be aware of potentially the wrong greeting?

I live and work in a town with a large Jewish population. I've been wished a Happy Hanukkah before, and I actually enjoy the religious-specific reference. For me, it's humanizing. I've never been offended by someone who wishes me a blessing according to their own tradition.

[cobl04]

Originally Posted by nathan1977

I live and work in a town with a large Jewish population. I've been wished a Happy Hanukkah before, and I actually enjoy the religious-specific reference. For me, it's humanizing. I've never been offended by someone who wishes me a blessing according to their own tradition.

If I was told Happy Hannukah I'd probably smile and say "to you too"

[deep]

Originally Posted by nathan1977

I live and work in a town with a large Jewish population. I've been wished a Happy Hanukkah before, and I actually enjoy the religious-specific reference. For me, it's humanizing. I've never been offended by someone who wishes me a blessing according to their own tradition.

are you passing for Jewish in this Jewish dominated community, or is the greeter making a wrong assumption, do you think they would say that to a couple of Mormon missionaries on bikes in white short sleeves with name tags on?

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by nathan1977

I live and work in a town with a large Jewish population. I've been wished a Happy Hanukkah before, and I actually enjoy the religious-specific reference. For me, it's humanizing. I've never been offended by someone who wishes me a blessing according to their own tradition.

But you never ever feel marginalized or uncomfortable.

Obviously, if you know someone, go for it.

I just fail to see how HH is some sort of capitulation to awfulness.

[Pearl]

I think saying Happy Holidays brings everyone together, regardless of beliefs or attitudes toward Christmas or other holidays.

It would be cool for everyone to comfortable to wish someone to enjoy their holiday by saying Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Eid Mubarak and so forth. But we are not there yet, and who knows when we could be.

I do wonder though, what to say to a non-Christian on Christmas Eve. Let's say everyone is leaving work and will have the following day off. Should we all wish each other Merry Christmas or tell those who don't celebrate to simply enjoy the day off? Nah, the latter sounds condescending.

[cobl04]

Is Christmas still quite religious over yonder? Here I know more people saying "Merry Christmas" to each other who are non-religious.

[LemonMelon]

Nah, it's whatever the individual wants it to be. Some people celebrate one aspect of it and some celebrate another. I wouldn't assume an atheist would be offended by Merry Christmas because it isn't a strictly religious holiday.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by cobl04

Is Christmas still quite religious over yonder? Here I know more people saying "Merry Christmas" to each other who are non-religious.

it's not so much to do with being religious or not but recognizing that there are Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, etc., living and working all around us.

some of them may celebrate Christmas in a secular fashion -- a tree, Santa, little else -- but many may not.

actually, i usually say to people, "enjoy the holidays."

[PhilsFan]

I think everyone should wish each other a Happy Boxing Day, because if there's one thing that unites us all it's mocking Canada.

[Jive Turkey]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

it's not so much to do with being religious or not but recognizing that there are Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, etc., living and working all around us.

I wonder how many of them get offended when someone says "Merry Christmas"?

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by Jive Turkey

I wonder how many of them get offended when someone says "Merry Christmas"?

Probably not offended, in the strict sense, but more likely mildly annoyed.

[Jive Turkey]

Then I guess the real question is, are any of them complaining about it? I've read enough of your thoughts (Yes, even the ones you don't write in here...) to know that you're not this type, but a lot of the people outspoken on issues like this are the kind of people to get offended on behalf of other people - usually minorities - when the ones they're offended for couldn't care less. It's usually how ridiculous school policies like "Orange and Black Day" come about

[Pearl]

I've known quite a few Jews who never liked it when people said Merry Christmas to them. They even didn't mince words when complaining about Christmas music and decorations at the mall.