What?
I really need to pay more attention around here...
As for me, I love Christmas.
Christmas & Political Correctness
- Thread starter Gryffindorian
- Start date
What?
I really need to pay more attention around here...
As for me, I love Christmas.
Unfortunately, I don't got to churche. I should, but I don't. I will suggest that to my friends, though, which go to church all the time.
I really messed up the poll. I should've put an option for "Christians who don't celebrate Christmas." I know some Christian groups who strictly do not celebrate Christmas as part of their belief system. In fact, I used to be a member of one.
As for me, I'm a non-denominational Christian who celebrates Christmas (as well as the holidays in general) with my Christian family. I grew up abroad with a Catholic upbringing and then converted to another religion in my teens. We should all respect each other's beliefs without trying to enforce our own.
As for me, I'm a non-denominational Christian who celebrates Christmas (as well as the holidays in general) with my Christian family. I grew up abroad with a Catholic upbringing and then converted to another religion in my teens. We should all respect each other's beliefs without trying to enforce our own.
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I grew up in a non-religious Jewish household. We celebrated Christmas in a secular way -- the tree, the presents, stockings hung on the mantelpiece on Christmas Eve and found stuffed with goodies (by Santa, of course!) in the morning. When I got older, as a bit of a joke, I fashioned a Star of David ornament for the top of the Christmas tree.
As an adult and as an atheist, I find myself caring less and less about the holidays every year. But I've never been the least bit bothered by folks wishing me a merry Christmas or by public Christmas displays. As far as I'm concerned, it all has as much religious significance as saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes. Or shouting "Oh, God!" during sex.
As an adult and as an atheist, I find myself caring less and less about the holidays every year. But I've never been the least bit bothered by folks wishing me a merry Christmas or by public Christmas displays. As far as I'm concerned, it all has as much religious significance as saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes. Or shouting "Oh, God!" during sex.
I was raised in a very strict Catholic household but am a humanist now. My entire extended family lived on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean so our Christmases were always calm and quiet, and I loved it. My husband and I celebrate Christmas for our children, really, and it's just the five of us on Christmas day. I'm in England and my family is in Canada and the Netherlands, and while my in-laws live less than an hour away I put my foot down on our oldest child's first Christmas and told my husband we would NOT be spending Christmas day with his family as that wasn't a tradition I wanted to start (sounds cruel, but my in-laws are, erm, "special". Also, they don't like me). No pressure, no fuss, and minimal financial outlay. Bliss. 
Christmas-celebrating Christian here.
The whole PC thing of businesses/government entities/school/etc. not allowing decorations and/or expressions of Christmas and so forth has mystified me. Ostensibly, these rules are avoid offending people who don't celebrate Christmas. I can't find it now, but a poll was done asking people about it. According to the poll, about 90-95% of people celebrate Christmas, and of those who don't, about 90% have no problem with others wishing them "Merry Christmas", aren't offended by Christmas trees or nativity scenes, and don't mind being given gifts by others. Those rules are to protect the feelings of people who basically don't exist.
The whole PC thing of businesses/government entities/school/etc. not allowing decorations and/or expressions of Christmas and so forth has mystified me. Ostensibly, these rules are avoid offending people who don't celebrate Christmas. I can't find it now, but a poll was done asking people about it. According to the poll, about 90-95% of people celebrate Christmas, and of those who don't, about 90% have no problem with others wishing them "Merry Christmas", aren't offended by Christmas trees or nativity scenes, and don't mind being given gifts by others. Those rules are to protect the feelings of people who basically don't exist.
It should mystify you; much like ghosts, werewolves, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other non-issues.
I always say "Merry Christmas". That's what I celebrate.
Now, having said that, if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah, I say it right back, pleasantly and appreciatively. Because that's what they celebrate.
So what if holiday decorations (especially in public places) are inclusive of other faiths and cultures? How does that hurt anyone?
Honestly, I have never, NEVER been given a hard time for saying "Merry Christmas". No one has ever scolded me for being inappropriate, or shushed me for possibly offending others.
It's one of those things people complain about, but truthfully I doubt it ever happens.
I don't see how decorations and things like that could offend people. That's rediculous. [laugh] It has always been a tradition in this country and I don't see why we should get rid of it from school, businesses and government entities. Is Christmas horrible? I thought Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year and about spreading the joy...the joy of being alive.
^Some people like to be contrarian and get worked up about things. People can argue all they want, but frankly, I think that's all it really boils down to. After all, secularism is not about the denial of religion, spirituality, the expression of belief and religious traditions and practices. It's about embracing the freedom of each person to celebrate their faith how they choose. "Happy holidays" isn't exclusive of Christmas, it's inclusive of everything. It's not a denial of Christian ideals, it's a validation of them, especially the ideal of a brotherhood of man. I am an Atheist, but I love Christmas. I love it because it is often a time when Christians celebrate what is most good and pure and beautiful about their faith, and when they express that joy with songs, and music, and Christmas trees in public places, more power to them! And the same goes to every other religion/spiritual practice that celebrates a major holiday at this time of year.
I'm a secular Jew and I don't celebrate Christmas in any way. We just never did when I was a kid so it doesn't really hold any meaning for me.
I can't speak for anyone else but myself, but my issue with the whole thing is not Christmas itself or that people celebrate it. It's with the loud minority of Christians who seem to have a problem with me and with recognizing that there is a large segment of people who don't celebrate anything or celebrate their own things. Christians don't have a monopoly on celebration this time of year and being inclusive isn't an attack on Christmas but a celebration of all our diversity. Unfortunately some people just don't like to share.
As for greetings, if I know someone celebrates a specific holiday then I greet them appropriately. If I don't know, I tend to default to "happy holidays" because I wouldn't presume to make an assumption on a person's faith even if playing the numbers might give me a good guess. This poll may have 90-95% (edit: now that I've voted, I see it's quite a bit less!) of people celebrating Christmas, but depending on where you are in the world this can be very different!
I can't speak for anyone else but myself, but my issue with the whole thing is not Christmas itself or that people celebrate it. It's with the loud minority of Christians who seem to have a problem with me and with recognizing that there is a large segment of people who don't celebrate anything or celebrate their own things. Christians don't have a monopoly on celebration this time of year and being inclusive isn't an attack on Christmas but a celebration of all our diversity. Unfortunately some people just don't like to share.
As for greetings, if I know someone celebrates a specific holiday then I greet them appropriately. If I don't know, I tend to default to "happy holidays" because I wouldn't presume to make an assumption on a person's faith even if playing the numbers might give me a good guess. This poll may have 90-95% (edit: now that I've voted, I see it's quite a bit less!) of people celebrating Christmas, but depending on where you are in the world this can be very different!
FWIW, secular means ”separate from religion.” But I do agree with you, TSQ, for the most part.
From my perspective, the minority of people who complain about the holidays one way or another are those very uptight individuals who have extreme, very narrow views or philosophies in life.
As someone who lives and works in the SF Bay Area, I'm fortunate to be living in a culturally diverse region. I've worked with Buddhists, atheists, or nonreligious folks in my department who celebrate Christmas as much as a devout Catholic does. They never get offended when somebody greets them Merry Christmas, and they reciprocate. They exchange presents with friends and family. Christmas is really a human celebration, not just a Christian holiday.
From my perspective, the minority of people who complain about the holidays one way or another are those very uptight individuals who have extreme, very narrow views or philosophies in life.
As someone who lives and works in the SF Bay Area, I'm fortunate to be living in a culturally diverse region. I've worked with Buddhists, atheists, or nonreligious folks in my department who celebrate Christmas as much as a devout Catholic does. They never get offended when somebody greets them Merry Christmas, and they reciprocate. They exchange presents with friends and family. Christmas is really a human celebration, not just a Christian holiday.
I've never actually known anyone who was offended by either "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" so that part seems odd to me. I can understand a general anti-Christmas sentiment though, since it's everywhere. Someone who started out somewhat neutral might be really annoyed by the end of the season.
I should have been more clear, I should've written that secularism doesn't have to be about the denial of religion, etc, but can encompass and embracing of all faiths/lack of faith. That's more what i meant.
Understood.
Then you haven't met a very uptight individual who has extreme, very narrow perspectives in life, so you're lucky. I certainly have, many times.
Happy Time, everybody.
I enjoy seeing family and friends around Christmas, if I can - but otherwise not too fussed.
I enjoy seeing family and friends around Christmas, if I can - but otherwise not too fussed.
A small number of employees where I work are currently organizing a Christmas caroling event at work, something that hasn't been done for nearly two decades since Political Correctness killed the old tradition. In fact, a few of us in the accounting department will be participating, and we've already received approval from upper management to have two performances during the lunch hour in our employees lounge.
I must say I'm very thrilled to be a part of this group!
The group consists of people from various racial and religious backgrounds. Now what does that tell you? Diversity is marvelous.
I must say I'm very thrilled to be a part of this group!
The group consists of people from various racial and religious backgrounds. Now what does that tell you? Diversity is marvelous.Similar threads
