Is it offensive?
12-22-2010, 11:21 AM
#41
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 645
Originally Posted by maryb119
I say Merry Christmas because I am Christian. If some one said Happy Hannukah or Happy Holidays, I would not be offended. I would take it in the good spirit it was intended. In a world where we are suppose to be accepting of other religions, then please be accepting of mine and allow me to wish you a Merry Christmas!
12-22-2010, 11:28 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Originally Posted by gypsyquilter
i'd like to ask your opinion on Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays. I'm very respectful that people celebrate different holidays, have different religious views and have personal beliefs that make them who they are - that goodness for that as it makes the world an interesting place.
I am not a religious person, just someone who grew up celebrating Christmas as our december holiday. So, I'd like to ask is Merry Christmas offensive or is Happy Holidays offensive or, is neutralizing the holiday to a happy holiday really an insult to both parties since neither can feel free to express who they are.
what's a person to do?
Here's my thought. Those who are offended by someone giving them a wish of happiness or merriment should not be offended and just simply say "thank you". Wouldn't that be the good manners that our parents taught us?
I have a good friend who doesn't celebrate Christmas, before she became by good friend I wished her a Merry Christmas, and she said, thank you for the good wishes, I'm Jewish so I wish you a a happy Hanukkah. We both laughed, but the spirit of our good wishes for each other was not lost in the choice of what holiday one choose to celebrate.
what do you guys think?
I am not a religious person, just someone who grew up celebrating Christmas as our december holiday. So, I'd like to ask is Merry Christmas offensive or is Happy Holidays offensive or, is neutralizing the holiday to a happy holiday really an insult to both parties since neither can feel free to express who they are.
what's a person to do?
Here's my thought. Those who are offended by someone giving them a wish of happiness or merriment should not be offended and just simply say "thank you". Wouldn't that be the good manners that our parents taught us?
I have a good friend who doesn't celebrate Christmas, before she became by good friend I wished her a Merry Christmas, and she said, thank you for the good wishes, I'm Jewish so I wish you a a happy Hanukkah. We both laughed, but the spirit of our good wishes for each other was not lost in the choice of what holiday one choose to celebrate.
what do you guys think?
12-22-2010, 11:37 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 879
Originally Posted by maryb119
I say Merry Christmas because I am Christian. If some one said Happy Hannukah or Happy Holidays, I would not be offended. I would take it in the good spirit it was intended. In a world where we are suppose to be accepting of other religions, then please be accepting of mine and allow me to wish you a Merry Christmas!
12-23-2010, 05:46 AM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,322
I am going to say something that will offend many of the Christians on the board but it has to come off my chest.
The core question is the greeting or well wishes meant to be FOR the benefit of the person saying it or the person it is being said to. If purposely saying Merry Christmas is to show off your religion, then it doesnt mean anything to me except to show me that you are maybe pushy and self centered in your witnessing and your well wishes are simply a foil to push your religion. You dont care about wishing me well.
OTOH, if you know the other person shares your beliefs then it comes off as a benevolent thought.
Most times this kind of stuff means little and most people let it pass.
I will purposely say Merry Christmas to my Christian friend as that is what I hope for them. Because I really CARE about my non-Christian friends, I say Happy Holidays to acknowledge that my greeting is not generic and not about me.
The core question is the greeting or well wishes meant to be FOR the benefit of the person saying it or the person it is being said to. If purposely saying Merry Christmas is to show off your religion, then it doesnt mean anything to me except to show me that you are maybe pushy and self centered in your witnessing and your well wishes are simply a foil to push your religion. You dont care about wishing me well.
OTOH, if you know the other person shares your beliefs then it comes off as a benevolent thought.
Most times this kind of stuff means little and most people let it pass.
I will purposely say Merry Christmas to my Christian friend as that is what I hope for them. Because I really CARE about my non-Christian friends, I say Happy Holidays to acknowledge that my greeting is not generic and not about me.
12-23-2010, 06:01 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: western australia
Posts: 1,793
I do not celebrate Christmas, and I do not want to be wished a merry Christmas However, I also believe people have the right to wish however they like a merry Christmas, so if someone does wish me a merry Christmas I just say thank you and leave it at that.
I don't understand why people have to be rude or take offence.
at something that is said in the spirit of the festive season.
as for politicaly correct who makes up these stupid rules if someone wants to believe in something so be it. it is not for us to tell them what to do or not do unless it breaks the law.
I don't understand why people have to be rude or take offence.
at something that is said in the spirit of the festive season.
as for politicaly correct who makes up these stupid rules if someone wants to believe in something so be it. it is not for us to tell them what to do or not do unless it breaks the law.
12-23-2010, 06:12 AM
#48
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: currently living outside of nashville, tn
Posts: 1,134
we have members in our family who celebrate different things. And one young family who celebrates nothing. My husband took it upon himself this year, and sent out Happy Festivus cards that he printed from the computer in joy and fun. To me, it doesn't matter which holiday you celebrate (or don't celebrate), it's the Love behind the good wishes that matters. We must be careful that, "Merry Christmas," doesn't become a challenge to the recipient to "love it or leave it." Hang onto the sincerity ... the joy behind What Ever you wish another. "Good Tidings to you 'whomever' you are..."
12-23-2010, 08:41 AM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 645
I was at the pet store this morning and a shopper there and I were both buying food for our pets. We had a conversation about cockatiels and budgies and as I was leaving I said, "Merry Christmas!" to which he replied, "Jingle Bells!". How cute was that?
And I wasn't the least bit offended.
And I wasn't the least bit offended.
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