Happy Holidays VS Merry Christmas

So I read in a thread, that shall not be named, that some people have a problem with saying Merry Christmas. What are the takes of the people of this forum on this issue?

I don't see a problem honestly some people don't wanna take a risk insulting someone I guess though really who'd be insulted unless they had a personal issue with the holiday?

Red Tyranno Ranger said:

I don't see a problem honestly some people don't wanna take a risk insulting someone I guess though really who'd be insulted unless they had a personal issue with the holiday?

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See that stuff about insulting people that might not celebrate Christmas just seems fishy IMO. People don't have some agenda to insult different religions or beliefs when they wish people a Merry Christmas. They are just wanting to be nice.

Since I dont celebrate Christmas, Hanakka, or Kwanza (that was one of the other holidays around that time right?), it doesnt bother me whether someone says happy holidays or merry christmas. Never bothered me before everyone started wanting to be PC about it, didnt bother me after either. At one point, the Islamic religious holiday was around that time too (since we follow the lunar calendar, Ramadhan and Eid moves up the normal calendar a week or so each year), so the happy holidays thing was cool, but I wasnt bothered if people said Merry Christmas. I understand if people want to be respectful, thats totally cool. But if someone chooses to say Merry Christmas, I dont see it as a big deal, really. But, I do find it weird when people (like radio show hosts and stuff) say "we're bringin back merry christmas cuz this is America!". That kinda gives off a different kind of agenda, imo.

yeah all that "WE NEED MERRY XMAS FOR AMERICA" stuff is just stupid. But I also think the people that get all bent out of shape for hearing it are just as silly. And I am sorry if anyone takes offense to me referring to it as being silly, but that's how I see it.

I've never seen anyone get bent out of shape about it, but if you're part of a minority religion in America I can see how it could get tiresome to have it assumed that you should "get into the spirit" of a celebration you simply don't believe in. While Christmas is largely secularized and capitalist nowadays, it is still deeply tied into the Christian tradition.

And even if people are trying to be "nice" by wishing a Merry Christmas to someone not from a Christian background, it's still just kind of thoughtless act at best. I'll wish Merry Christmas to people who I know celebrate it, but I think Happy Holidays is an imperfect but acceptable default (since at the very least, it applies to New Year's).

Well I just say to them Merry Christmas!

KouAidou said:

I've never seen anyone get bent out of shape about it, but if you're part of a minority religion in America I can see how it could get tiresome to have it assumed that you should "get into the spirit" of a celebration you simply don't believe in. While Christmas is largely secularized and capitalist nowadays, it is still deeply tied into the Christian tradition.

And even if people are trying to be "nice" by wishing a Merry Christmas to someone not from a Christian background, it's still just kind of thoughtless act at best. I'll wish Merry Christmas to people who I know celebrate it, but I think Happy Holidays is an imperfect but acceptable default (since at the very least, it applies to New Year's).

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How is it a thoughtless act? Saying Merry Christmas isn't telling the person BELIEVE IN GOD OR ELSE. Hell a lot of people I know don't even believe in god but they do Christmas for their kids and family. What about people that don't think new years is a holiday? Yeah I know that sounds silly, but it's along the same lines. And wouldn't telling some one "Happy Holidays" be insulting if that person doesn't celebrate or believe in holidays?

Drakkhenden said:

How is it a thoughtless act? Saying Merry Christmas isn't telling the person BELIEVE IN GOD OR ELSE. Hell a lot of people I know don't even believe in god but they do Christmas for their kids and family. What about people that don't think new years is a holiday? Yeah I know that sounds silly, but it's along the same lines. And wouldn't telling some one "Happy Holidays" be insulting if that person doesn't celebrate or believe in holidays?

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People who celebrate Christmas for their kids usually come from a Christian or lapsed-Christian background, so it's easy for them to separate the ceremony from its religious implications. If you come from a background that is actively non-Christian, I can see very easily how the entire atmosphere would be off-putting to the point where even a "nice" gesture would come off as the opposite.

And for heaven's sake, it is possible to be bothered by something without being deathly offended by it.

As for the latter stuff, well, that's why I admitted it is an imperfect solution. But lacking any personal experience with someone who expresses discomfort at "Happy Holidays," it's what I'll use until something better occurs to me or is pointed out.

People are really making an issue out of this?


...really? :sly: