Why?
Christmas & Political Correctness
- Thread starter Gryffindorian
- Start date
Why?
Nah, it sounds cheerful. At worst, lazy.
I completely disagree and think you're reading too much into it.
I see nothing wrong with saying "Happy Holidays". As others have said, it is a more inclusive greeting for the season, as it includes not only Christmas, but New Years, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, the Solstice, etc.,. It is not a cop-out to say "Happy Holidays". It is a recognition of reality that a lot is going on in December and various people are celebrating various holidays.
I wonder how certain Christians would react if I wished them a "Happy Hanukkah". I can think of a few places where I've lived where (very sadly) it would NOT get a kind reaction: "What makes you think I'm a Jew?" Some "less than Christian" Christians I have known in my lifetime would definitely be offended, I am sure. Wishing them a Happy Kwanzaa would REALLY not go over well....
There are jerks on either side making this a mess. While in college, each year we organized a group to go caroling. One grad student sniffed indignantly when I invited her to join us and then went on to lecture me on how Christmas was all a silly myth perpetuated by weak-minded people. *Great* Well, the rest of us (several of various Christian denominations, a few atheists, a few agnostics, and a couple of Jews) went out and had fun singing and wishing people well in song. We also got invited in at several houses for snacks & warm drinks (OK- and for some "Christmas Spirits", too).
Just as bad (if not downright evil and manipulating) are the folks who claim that saying "Happy Holidays" is sign of a war on Christmas. Please give me and the rest of the country a break. Many of us who say "Happy Holidays" do not hate Christmas or the Baby Jesus or Christianity or religion in general. We are just being more inclusive in our well-wishing. Also, if I know someone Christian, I will say "Merry Christmas", like when I was a kid in the little town where there were only Christians (well, and probably a few closeted atheists).
I just wish people would forget all the hastily-filled-out cards, and stressful joyless frantic shopping excursions and the gaudy lights and going in to debt for gifts that no one actually needs. Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by showing a little compassion and understanding and reflect on your life and be thankful for what you have.
The Grinch learned his lesson. Why can't we? The Whos would have been just fine if their presents had been dumped off Mount Krumpet. Would we?
.... Sadly, I doubt it!
I wonder how certain Christians would react if I wished them a "Happy Hanukkah". I can think of a few places where I've lived where (very sadly) it would NOT get a kind reaction: "What makes you think I'm a Jew?" Some "less than Christian" Christians I have known in my lifetime would definitely be offended, I am sure. Wishing them a Happy Kwanzaa would REALLY not go over well....
There are jerks on either side making this a mess. While in college, each year we organized a group to go caroling. One grad student sniffed indignantly when I invited her to join us and then went on to lecture me on how Christmas was all a silly myth perpetuated by weak-minded people. *Great* Well, the rest of us (several of various Christian denominations, a few atheists, a few agnostics, and a couple of Jews) went out and had fun singing and wishing people well in song. We also got invited in at several houses for snacks & warm drinks (OK- and for some "Christmas Spirits", too).
Just as bad (if not downright evil and manipulating) are the folks who claim that saying "Happy Holidays" is sign of a war on Christmas. Please give me and the rest of the country a break. Many of us who say "Happy Holidays" do not hate Christmas or the Baby Jesus or Christianity or religion in general. We are just being more inclusive in our well-wishing. Also, if I know someone Christian, I will say "Merry Christmas", like when I was a kid in the little town where there were only Christians (well, and probably a few closeted atheists).
I just wish people would forget all the hastily-filled-out cards, and stressful joyless frantic shopping excursions and the gaudy lights and going in to debt for gifts that no one actually needs. Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by showing a little compassion and understanding and reflect on your life and be thankful for what you have.
The Grinch learned his lesson. Why can't we? The Whos would have been just fine if their presents had been dumped off Mount Krumpet. Would we?
.... Sadly, I doubt it!
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"Happy Holidays" isn't about political correctness.
It's about acknowledging that there are many holidays this time of year. Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's being the most notable ones, of course.
It's not being Politically Correct to use a greeting that truncates all of those holidays into one greeting and also acknowledges not everyone is Christian. Yeah, gasp, imagine that greeting people in a way that is inclusive to EVERYONE.
If one thinks there is a "war on Christmas" or that Christians are somehow being tread on because people say "Happy Holidays" look around your town, most notably your city's civic offices, town square and the decorations on local buildings and note that they're clad with common Christmas themes and decorations.
Companies, local and national governments or whatever saying "Happy Holidays" isn't treading on or trying to diminish Christians in any way, shape or form. Anyone who thinks that saying "Happy Holidays" is a way of persecuting Christians needs to go find a 70 or 80 year old Jewish person to talk to pretty much anyone of middle-eastern decent.
Cripes, grow up, acknowledge not everyone celebrates Christmas but does celebrate the more festive time of the year in some way. Hell, do you think Jesus Himself would care a wit about what people called this time of year? My understanding was that he was a somewhat loving and humble man. Stop bitching in His name.
It's about acknowledging that there are many holidays this time of year. Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's being the most notable ones, of course.
It's not being Politically Correct to use a greeting that truncates all of those holidays into one greeting and also acknowledges not everyone is Christian. Yeah, gasp, imagine that greeting people in a way that is inclusive to EVERYONE.
If one thinks there is a "war on Christmas" or that Christians are somehow being tread on because people say "Happy Holidays" look around your town, most notably your city's civic offices, town square and the decorations on local buildings and note that they're clad with common Christmas themes and decorations.
Companies, local and national governments or whatever saying "Happy Holidays" isn't treading on or trying to diminish Christians in any way, shape or form. Anyone who thinks that saying "Happy Holidays" is a way of persecuting Christians needs to go find a 70 or 80 year old Jewish person to talk to pretty much anyone of middle-eastern decent.
Cripes, grow up, acknowledge not everyone celebrates Christmas but does celebrate the more festive time of the year in some way. Hell, do you think Jesus Himself would care a wit about what people called this time of year? My understanding was that he was a somewhat loving and humble man. Stop bitching in His name.
I'm a dirty heathen atheist commie who loves Christmas, and not just because it's my birthday.
I say "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas" with reckless abandon.
I wish the whitest people I meet a Happy Kwanzaa, and then eat dinner with them at the family party.
I am a man of contradictions.
I say "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas" with reckless abandon.
I wish the whitest people I meet a Happy Kwanzaa, and then eat dinner with them at the family party.
I am a man of contradictions.
I'm an atheist. I celebrate Christmas in the same way I celebrate any other holiday. It's all about food, drinks, family, friends, and fun. I usually wish Happy Holidays to people, because 1) not everybody celebrates Christmas, and 2) there are many other holidays during this time, even for Christians (St. Nicholas' Day, St. Lucy's Festival, Epiphany). If I know them personally, I happily wish Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, an Accurate Solstice, or what the fuck they are celebrating. No biggies.
In that case, I wish there could be something wrong with Italy too. We could use some fabulosity in our Carabinieri, and if I ever hear another kid singing "Tu scendi dalle stelle" I might get the runs.
I'm an agnostic, but I love christmas. Well, it may help that the German word for christmas is "Weihnachten", so there's no christ reference in the word itself. Also, Santa Claus is simply the "Weihnachtsmann", so one can see him neatly separate from St. Nicolas.
I'm a huge fan of Santa, by the way. In Germany, it's either him or the "Christkind" (basically baby Jesus) bringing the presents, and I prefer the more secular Santa. Besides, I never could get my head around baby Jesus giving presents on his birthday. He's like a hobbit that way.
So, christmas to me is a secular celebration of family and of sharing. And Santa is a symbol of that. My image of Santa, as should be obvious through my av, is largely influenced by Richard Attenborough's performance in "Miracle on 34th Street", and the research into the origins of the mythology. I love the fact that Santa is partly inspired by none other than Odin.
I'm a huge fan of Santa, by the way. In Germany, it's either him or the "Christkind" (basically baby Jesus) bringing the presents, and I prefer the more secular Santa. Besides, I never could get my head around baby Jesus giving presents on his birthday. He's like a hobbit that way.
So, christmas to me is a secular celebration of family and of sharing. And Santa is a symbol of that. My image of Santa, as should be obvious through my av, is largely influenced by Richard Attenborough's performance in "Miracle on 34th Street", and the research into the origins of the mythology. I love the fact that Santa is partly inspired by none other than Odin.
^ Yep. It's always fun to confuse and befuddle people wishing them a Wild Hunt with Wotan and his Valkyries. 
Did you see his jacket in the video?
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAJNntoRgA&feature=player_embedded[/yt]
I am a Christian who celebrates Christmas as commemorating the birth of Christ (regardless of when in the year it actually happened). I ignore most secular aspects typically associated with the day. I wish my Jewish friends Happy Chanukah (and give gifts to coincide with that holiday in appropriate wrapping). I ignore Kwanzaa because I think it's goofy. I use a very generic, "Have a wonderful holiday," which, though wordy, sounds less Hallmark Cards than "Happy holidays," or "Season's Greetings," on days which aren't Christmas or Christmas Eve. I celebrate the New Year as a completely separate holiday.
To be more specific, I say either Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to people. This depends on (1) how well I know them and (2) whether or not I know they celebrate Christmas or other holidays.
My first year on the job, I made the mistake of saying Merry Christmas to an uptight Jehovah's Witness, who gave me a deathly stare and told me he didn't celebrate the holidays (or anything, for that matter).
So every year, my co-workers and I had to tiptoe around "Herod" (not his real name) so as not to offend him. Every year we have our employee appreciation luncheon, not "holiday luncheon," certainly not "Christmas luncheon." 
My first year on the job, I made the mistake of saying Merry Christmas to an uptight Jehovah's Witness, who gave me a deathly stare and told me he didn't celebrate the holidays (or anything, for that matter).
So every year, my co-workers and I had to tiptoe around "Herod" (not his real name) so as not to offend him. Every year we have our employee appreciation luncheon, not "holiday luncheon," certainly not "Christmas luncheon."
^ Sadly, it is the unreasonable jerks at either extreme of the spectrum fighting with each other and making accusations that can take some of the joy out of life for the reasonable people in the middle who just want to get along with each other.
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