It's funny how the phrase "Happy Holidays" has caused such a stir this year. I even left reference to the topic in my last post. I'd have to say that I'm not nearly as enraged over the "War on Christmas", as many have referred to it as, as I once was; but I still have strong feelings on the subject.
I'd say that much of my frustrations come from our society's need to protect everyone's feelings...particularly in our school system. Perhaps I am holding onto the past too much, but I want my children to be able to go to a school that celebrates/recognizes "Thanksgiving Break" rather than "Fall Break"...or "Christmas Break" rather than "Winter Break"...and for the love of God, is it too much to allow kids to wear Halloween costumes to school and celebrate that holiday the way we did?
But let's just put that aside for a bit and discuss the insistence of omitting any reference to Christmas these days. Of course I am sensitive to people being offended, but in this case, I think that it is the intentions that should be considered rather than the instance itself. Is it really a stretch to think that when I wish some Merry Christmas, I have no ill wishes, desires, or intentions behind the greeting? It's not as if I am insisting that they be forced to believe in Christ, take Him as their savior, drop to their needs and say a prayer, and then have a great celebration honoring the day of his birth. And if for some reason you believe that is my intention when someone says "Merry Christmas", then you really need to consider a vocation as a hermit and make yourself void from all human contact, because you are assured to be miserable by any interaction with another person.
But Mad Hoosier, I am an American, and I have the right to live without being offended by the likes of bible thumpers like yourself.
Well hold on there slim, let's take the dial off, "The USA revolves around me" for a moment and consider the fact that I may be offended that my faith in Christ, ergo...my religion, offends you.
Mad Hoosier, now your just being petty. Well, to me, petty is the inability to take a simple phrase, such as "Merry Christmas", as a well-intentioned, warm-hearted greeting, and process that greeting internally in your own way and either respond in kind or with some other well-intentioned, warm-hearted greeting.
For those of you who don't agree with my points, just remember to give thanks to whatever higher power you adhere to, that you do live in the USA...because if you think for a second that you'd get such back-bending appeasement from the governments of other nations, you're sorely mistaken. Do you think that someone could rid Israel of references to Hanukah or convince Rome that they really don't need to talk about Lent much?
If you do agree with my perspective, all I can say is that we need to demand a change. The only way that our kids will feel the joy of dressing up for Halloween at school or having a Christmas party at school is if we demand it. That is the theme of my blog...getting people to understand that WE hold the power in this country, and WE need to take it back.
It won't create a perfect society for everyone, but it will be one that we dictate, not one that is dictated for us. We need to hold every public official accountable, right down to the local government. Every vote that they cast should be easily accessible for us to view, and if they value their position and want to keep it, they should feel compelled to explain the reasoning for each of their votes. If they decide to keep their votes hidden, or don't give reasons for their votes, we need to exercise our power and vote in someone that will.
And that's my "Holiday Wish" for everyone out there...that in the coming year and years, that you begin to reflect and realize your individual worth and power you have in this society. Hopefully, during your reflection, you'll realize that individual worth is different than self-centeredness. And perhaps, just perhaps, you'll understand the need some have for tradition and allow kids to enjoy a good Christmas break.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
From,
The Mad Hoosier
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3 comments:
Amen!
(and welcome back!)
I have told my son that it is perfectly acceptable (and how sad to have to spell that out as such) to wish his friends a Merry Christmas. And here in NC, most people have no problem with the sentiment, and many of us ARE 'people of faith' - but still we are not allowed to utter that word - Christmas!
Your post was well written and on the button. Again, welcome back!
And on the career thing (from your last post), I hear you there, too. I'm not where I thought I would be, either. But I am alive and well, and I have a family and friends, and who knows what tomorrow may bring? ;-)
Merry Christmas!
Thanks...it's good to be back. I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas.
This was our first Christmas that we got to wake up in our own home on Christmas day to open presents with our kids...before now, we lived too far away, so we traveled for the holidays and stayed at my in-laws for Christmas.
And hopefully Rich Dad Poor Dad(Christmas present) will shed some light on getting out of career woes.
I completely agree! I am not even Christian, but I feel that if you are offended by an innocent happy greeting like "Merry Christmas" you need to check yourself! I am of no religious affiliation, and I love to be greeted that way! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Any holiday greeting is nice, and people are just so caught up in the political correctness BS that they don't stop to think about the intentions of the people friendly enough to actually say it!
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