Merry Christmas VS Happy Holdiays
By teedelydoo2
@teedelydoo2 (97)
United States
November 27, 2011 12:43am CST
I am sick of people telling Christians that saying Merry Christmas is politically incorrect! Why do these people insist on saying that "Merry Christmas", is offensive. Please tell what about that Phrase is offensive. If you don't like the name of the holiday, don't celebrate it or call it something different, but don't try to prevent me from calling it by the actual name by saying it's politically incorrect. I am a christian so I say Merry Christmas. If someone says, "Happy Hanukkah" to me, I would say either "thank you" or "To you as well" with a smile. I would not rain on their parade and try to make them change what they say, just because I don't share the same belief or religion. So my issue is not with Saying "Happy Holidays" it is those who try to keep people from saying their personal holiday greetings the way they were meant to be said. If you don't know someone's religion and you are unsure of how to greet them, Happy Holidays is perfect. Now I have an open mind and I can and will consider other views on this, but if you babble nonsense, I'm not going to dignify it with a response.
2 people like this
7 responses
@Galena (9110)
•
27 Nov 11
well I never use happy holidays. holidays are when you pack your suitcase and go away on a trip.
on the occasions I get cards I tend to look for ones that say something like Seasons Greetings, because then it's appropriate for my Pagan and non Pagan friends.
you see a lot of people complaining that they're not "allowed" to say merry christmas because people are offended, but I can't recall ever having complained that they are offended by it.
and as it happens, most people I know celebrate Christmas, and I don't have very many Christian friends. for most non Christians, the meaning of Christmas it to get together with your family and spend some quality time with them and show them how much you appreciate them.
for me, the religious part of the celebrations falls a few days before, on the Winter Solstice. but I am not offended by people wishing me a merry Christmas, because like many people I celebrate it in a non religious way.
@teedelydoo2 (97)
• United States
2 Dec 11
I'm not very familiar with the Pagan religion, but season's greetings sounds so elegant. Any way my point was just that telling someone that their holiday greeting is politically incorrect, is just rediculous. When I was in Highschool we couldn't sing any songs with the word Jesus, or Christ in choir because one girl said that she was offended by the name. I can understand that she doesn't have the same views to an extent, but there can be compromise, she could choose not to sing to that one song. It's kind of a slap in the face when the principle tells the class that they can't sing any song with the name Jesus or anything pertaining to him because one girl complained about it and that one girl ditched the class almost every day. If there was a song that had different views that I didn't want to be a part of, I myself would just sit out and not sing along for that one song, then jump back in when it was over. I don't mind it when people celebrate christmas in their own way either.
@Galena (9110)
•
2 Dec 11
I suppose the term Seasons Greetings would be the UK equivalent to Happy Holidays. seeing as here, a Holiday is when you go away on a trip. it does seem to be becoming a little old fashioned, but you're right, it does sound quite elegant.
personally, I beleive most religions have a midwinter festival with the same sort of meaning. they nearly all focus around the birth of the Sun. or Son. which will bring new light to the world.
the Solstice is the shortest day of the year, so we (my family, rather than all Pagans. every Pagan is an individual, and there are many ways to celebrate) get up before sunrise, and go to a high spot to watch the Sun come up. then later in that day we have a special meal together.
it's a special time, as it means the days will be growing longer again, and spring will come.
for most people it's a special time of the year, whatever the finer details of what it is they are celebrating.
@zralte (4178)
• India
27 Nov 11
Yeah, I'm with you. Just because one don't believe in other's religion, it does not mean that they have a right to change the name or whatever.
All these political correctness is getting ridiculous by the day. There used to be Christmas Festival in schools, and now they have to call it 'Winter Festival' or some other things.
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
27 Nov 11
Our collage is a christian school named Rani Jai collage. SO we have leave names in Christmas holidays.
@teedelydoo2 (97)
• United States
7 Dec 11
That's good. It would be even more rediculous if they took "Merry Christmas" offensive in a christian school lol. Although the way this world is, I wouldn't put it past these idiots.
@teedelydoo2 (97)
• United States
7 Dec 11
I haven't seen the white house, is there a manger scene? It was getting to be that way in my school as well lilaclady.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
27 Nov 11
I agree with you, let us greet and wish each other Season's Greetings the way we want to. I say Merry Christmas, but if someone were to wish me a Happy Hannukah I'd smile and say thank you to you as well just as you would. No need to crush another person's holiday spirit just because I don't share the same religious beliefs as they do.
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
27 Nov 11
I also think some people are way too sensitive when it comes to these things. Anyone who offers any greeting just means well, and I think that should be appreciated. I use Happy Holidays a lot since I am Jewish myself, so I don't celebrate Christmas, but by no means do I get offended if people wish me Merry Christmas.
I think some people are just trying to be a bit overly politically correct, which is just not the same as being respectful at all. You are respectful if you don't make fun of others or judge them, and saying Merry Christmas even to someone of another faith is neither of those things.
@teedelydoo2 (97)
• United States
2 Dec 11
Yes! If you said Happy Hannukah, I wouldn't be offended. I would return the greeting with a smile or at least say thank you! It's so irritating when people think that changing something will make everyone happy. It's just going to make the other people offended lol.
@MizTeacherLady (37)
• United States
27 Nov 11
I think you summed it up for yourself when you said,"If you don't know someone's religion and you are unsure of how to greet them, Happy Holidays is perfect." If you stick to that rule of thumb, how can you go wrong? If you are greeting people who you know share your belief in Christ as the savior, or at least your enthusiasm for Christmas, no one will give you grief when you use Merry Christmas for your greeting. I, for one, love Christmas, and the feelings of kindness and compassion, especially this time of year. I think the trouble is in assuming others must share in my beliefs and enthusiasm. I think accommodating others' feelings is the Christian thing to do. At the very least it is the human thing to do. Let us spread good will at this time, and not get hung up on greetings. Merry Christmas, Teedelydoo2! Happy holidays, to those who prefer it!
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
27 Nov 11
Is Christmas considered a holiday in every country? Personally, I think Merry Christmas is the correct phrase to use rather than Happy Holidays. We're celebrating a specific occasion, and that's the birth of Christ. Holiday is a general term, and can mean anything depending on the occasion. And I'll go as far as saying that almost all know the phrase Merry Christmas since it has actually been globally commercialized enough. I share your sentiments. Why do people have to make a big fuss about the political correctness of a simple greeting?
