I did a post a couple years back when the "war on Christmas" was at it's height. It was worded a little more strongly, but I think the overall theme I was trying to convey is still appropriate.
I've always preferred Happy Holidays over Merry Christmas. I used to work at Toys R Us and said "Happy Holidays" before some retail stores mandated the greeting. Even before I worked retail...for me, it was merely the best way to greet or wish someone well that encompassed the weeks worth of holidays. It wasn't a conscious effort to be politically correct or anything; I still used Merry Christmas on occasion, but more often than not after someone wished me Merry Christmas first.
As I wish you all Happy Holidays, my hope for everyone is that, even if you aren't Christian, you take a second and look at the intention behind someone wishing who may wish you "Merry Christmas". The overwhelming majority of the time, it is merely a well-intentioned, kind-hearted greeting during this time of year, and not an indoctrination attempt.
I truly wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and hope that everyone gets to enjoy their time with their family and celebrate the season in their own way.
Happy Holidays!
From,
The Mad Hoosier
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3 comments:
I totally understand that most people who say "Merry Christmas" without knowing if the other person is a Christian or not are well intentioned.
But what if I started to say "Happy Rosh HaShanah" to everyone? Should I assume that everyone is Jewish?
When one says, "Merry Christmas" to someone else, they are not saying "I am going to have a Merry Christmas", they are saying YOU have a Merry Christmas.
We should always be polite to everyone for example, if someone looks Mexican, do we assume they don't speak English or that they were born in Mexico? Should we assume that black people are Democrats etc...
I put Merry Christmas into the category of politeness, one should try to be polite to strangers and not assume things about them, whether well intentioned or not.
Happy Holidays Mad Hoosier, I hope that you and your loved ones have a great holiday.
Thanks Rocketstar. I am unsure how, or even if, you and your loved ones celebrate the holiday, but I hope you had an enjoyable day.
Obviously this was going to be an issue where you and I disagree, so I didn't want to take away from what I was certain were genuine wishes for the best for our families by arguing over it only days before.
I think equating holiday greetings to someone's skin tone is a rather unfair comparison, but as far as the Rosh HaShanah question...I'd say that if you were in Israel, it would certainly be an acceptable thing to wish everyone Happy Rosh HaShanah. After all, the country is predominantly Jewish.
Since the majority of the USA is Christian, I find it equally acceptable to greet someone with the holiday greeting that is dominates the culture here.
As for the greeting Merry Christmas meaning, YOU have a Merry Christmas...clearly you are correct there, grammatically speaking. But if you stopped those that say "Merry Christmas" and asked if what they meant by the greeting was "I demand that you denounce your current belief system and immediately accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior," my guess is that not a soul would say that is what they meant.
They'd probably say that they merely meant to say hi or bye in accordance with the holiday season that uses symbols of Santa, Christmas Trees, presents, and other secular ideas that are very much apart of Christmas in this country.
I do agree that we have to be polite and well-meaning whenever possible. But doesn't that swing both ways? Wouldn't it be polite for someone that doesn't celebrate Christmas to say to themselves, "I don't celebrate Christmas, but I know this person doesn't know that and is merely wishing me well," before replying in some pleasant manner? I know many people of Jewish faith who don't celebrate Christmas, but who wish others have a Merry Christmas anyway.
Like I orginally said, i understand that they mean well and that's why i don't make a stink aout it and am polite, but I do still think that most polite thing to say being that we do not know a strangers religious beliefs, is Happy Holidays, even if we live in a majority Christian nation.
Is majority rule always ok? I would say not. Just because the majority of the poulous think or feel one way, doesn't make it right to neglect the minority.
My race analogy is not a good one, I agree.
We got snowed on big time here3 in Denver, I hope you had a great Christmas :o)
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