Is it really THAT big a deal?

[entitled]

i mean, really... Just because the door greeters in a few chains of department stores are supposed to say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' doesn't mean they're boycotting the Christian holiday. It just means they're being a little more accepting of other holidays.

It's no reason to boycott the store.

It's no reason to call the rest of the community to do the same.

It's no reason to be offended.

Most of all, it's no reason for you to call and give me a headache when you know full well that i would rather hear the more generic greeting anyway.

 

[R. Richard]

i mean, really... Just because the door greeters in a few chains of department stores are supposed to say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' doesn't mean they're boycotting the Christian holiday. It just means they're being a little more accepting of other holidays.

I don't think it means that they are boycotting Christmas. I do see it as part of a continuing erosion of American traditions in order to bow down to "political correctness." I am appalled to see schools or cities ban traditional Christian displays, but allow the displays of most other major faiths. I am not a Christian.

We have gotten to a point in the United States where we are supposed to be ashamed of being Americans. All I can say is, if you think that things could be better in the United States, try living in another country. I have had several people I know try it and they only saw the advantages we have here after they moved elsewhere.

JMNTHO.

 

[entitled]

I don't think it means that they are boycotting Christmas. I do see it as part of a continuing erosion of American traditions in order to bow down to "political correctness." I am appalled to see schools or cities ban traditional Christian displays, but allow the displays of most other major faiths. I am not a Christian.

We have gotten to a point in the United States where we are supposed to be ashamed of being Americans. All I can say is, if you think that things could be better in the United States, try living in another country. I have had several people I know try it and they only saw the advantages we have here after they moved elsewhere.

JMNTHO.

i agree. i'm ashamed that we can't have Halloween parties, Christmas parties, Easter egg hunts, and things of the sort.

i'm also amazed that somebody CAN see it as a company boycotting Christmas, and shutting out the Christian faith. Even though i've been in that store in the past three days and they had Christmas trees, decorations, carols on the speakers, employees wearing Santa hats, etc.

 

[rgraham666]

I love Christmas.

Everybody's, and I mean everybody's, insecurities come out to play.

 

[simulacre]

Considering everything we heard about this new "holiday" trend in the past week, it seems that by trying to smooth things out with some communities (which do not seem to care that much about it) they've (stores, cities, etc.) have actually greated a much bigger problem by angering a lot of people!

 

[Stella_Omega]

I don't think it means that they are boycotting Christmas. I do see it as part of a continuing erosion of American traditions in order to bow down to "political correctness." I am appalled to see schools or cities ban traditional Christian displays, but allow the displays of most other major faiths. I am not a Christian.

We have gotten to a point in the United States where we are supposed to be ashamed of being Americans. All I can say is, if you think that things could be better in the United States, try living in another country. I have had several people I know try it and they only saw the advantages we have here after they moved elsewhere.

JMNTHO.

If you see a public school make a display of ANY religion, Richard, you certainly have the right- and duty, IMO, to protest.
I am not a Christian. I do not think Christianity defines this country.

 

[entitled]

If you see a public school make a display of ANY religion, Richard, you certainly have the right- and duty, IMO, to protest.
I am not a Christian. I do not think Christianity defines this country.

i'm not a Christian, either, and do have problems with schools teaching any religion as well. i protested when my son was sent home with a cross-shaped thing of bubble solution because it's a Christian symbol.

But...

i don't mind the holiday parties. i don't mind them learning Christmas carols - because i did when i was little, too. i remember looking forward the the school parties all week. i remember being proud of the the ornaments we made, and the paper chains, and things of that sort. i don't want my kids to have to miss that.

 

[zeb1094]

i mean, really... Just because the door greeters in a few chains of department stores are supposed to say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' doesn't mean they're boycotting the Christian holiday. It just means they're being a little more accepting of other holidays.

It's no reason to boycott the store.

It's no reason to call the rest of the community to do the same.

It's no reason to be offended.

Most of all, it's no reason for you to call and give me a headache when you know full well that i would rather hear the more generic greeting anyway.

Everytime someone says 'Happy Holidays' and elf dies. And everytime someone says "Merry Christmas" an elf is born.

 

[sweetnpetite]

Isn't it weird whos offended?

Conservatives.

ARen't they the ones that are usually arguing that companies should be able to do pretty much whatever they want?

In this case, I agree. A company doesn't *have* to acknowledge Chritmas or any holiday. They do it to get more costomers. They are using more inclusive language to get more costomers.

No one should be made at them for saying or not saying Merry Christmas. They have just as much of a right as I do to say what they want.

First ammendement for stores!

Geesh.

 

[rcfstl]

I love Kwanza

 

[sweetnpetite]

Considering everything we heard about this new "holiday" trend in the past week, it seems that by trying to smooth things out with some communities (which do not seem to care that much about it) they've (stores, cities, etc.) have actually greated a much bigger problem by angering a lot of people!

I think that the media is trying to create a big scandal where there is none. Stores (and people) have been saying "Happy Holidays" for years. In fact, it's even been a news story for years.

Don't people have bigger things to worry about?

 

[sweetnpetite]

Christmas is a Federal Holiday.

It has relgious and secular aspects. I don't know why people are all suddenly acting like Chrismas is not a secular holdiay as well as a religous one.


Where have there heads gone?

Federal Holidays should be able to be celebrated in schools. There are so many secular aspects to easter, chrismas, thanksgiving and others, it would be so easy to focus on that and then- what's the fuss? But people have to insist on being right and having something to fight about I guess.

so sad, really.

Next thing you know, someone will be saying that it isn't right for workers to get Christmas and New Years off, let alone get paid for it. How about a federal law to ban holiday pay for federal holidays that also have any religous implication whatsoever? Now that's a cause I'm sure we can all get behind.

 

[sweetnpetite]

I love Kwanza

Kwazy Kwanza!

 

[rcfstl]

Kwazy Kwanza!

We had a halloween display at work, they had to remove the green witch with the black pointee hat because the Wiccans found it offensive.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I just wish we could focus more on inclusion than exclusion in dealing with cultures and religions. I loved living in South London and having the local grocer laughing and waving people into his shop to celebrate the end of Ramadan as well as the traditional Christmas decorations. I loved the firecrackers for Chinese New Year in San Jose. I wish we might move toward welcoming all expressions of joy in one's cultural/religious high points rather than banning them all. And yes, I know, it's because if we did, the Church of Satan and the Church of Body Piercing and the Church of Being Annoying in Public would all shove into it and make it a repellent mess.

Damn, you humans can screw up anything. Really.

Shanglan

 

[Belegon]

Damn, you humans can screw up anything. Really.

I completely and totally agree with this sentiment...

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Isn't it weird whos offended?

Conservatives.

ARen't they the ones that are usually arguing that companies should be able to do pretty much whatever they want?

In this case, I agree. A company doesn't *have* to acknowledge Chritmas or any holiday. They do it to get more costomers. They are using more inclusive language to get more costomers.

No one should be made at them for saying or not saying Merry Christmas. They have just as much of a right as I do to say what they want.

First ammendement for stores!

Geesh.

Conservatives, in general, don't like seeing change for the sake of change. They are, for the most part, traditionalists. And yes, not saying Merry Christmas pisses me off. Not all conservatives are by definition corporate whores. A true conservative might favor lessened regulation, but he or she would not favor a return to lazzie faire capitalism. By definition, conservatives would be against radical measures as those usually involve a great deal of change.

I like Christmas. I like Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch stole Christmas, decorations throughout the neighborhood, etc. It is far more a holiday of memories to me, than a religious holiday.

I guess, the best way is to say it on a personal level. If you go fucking with my cherished memories, you're going to meet resistance from me that you wouldn't ordinarily see. I suspect, the vast majority of those who complain aren't doing so because of religion, they are doing so because Christmas means something to them on a personal level and that is really wrapped up in the traditions of the season as they remember them.

So yeah, it is that important. And yeah, I'd be willing to boycott over it. As is, I see my cherieshed memories of what christmas is and what signals the season to me fade a little more each year. Some of that's time, some of it is a change in kids, what they want and do and expect. I don't think todays kids look forward to the Grinch like I did and still do. All of that though, is a slow change that has come about because of forces I have no say over. But Intentionally fucking it up? Yeah, I'd be willing to fight that.

 

[NoJo]

Channukah starts on Christmas Day this year. So don't forget to spin your dreidls after you've hung up your stockings, folks.

 

[English Lady]

I just wish we could focus more on inclusion than exclusion in dealing with cultures and religions. I loved living in South London and having the local grocer laughing and waving people into his shop to celebrate the end of Ramadan as well as the traditional Christmas decorations. I loved the firecrackers for Chinese New Year in San Jose. I wish we might move toward welcoming all expressions of joy in one's cultural/religious high points rather than banning them all. And yes, I know, it's because if we did, the Church of Satan and the Church of Body Piercing and the Church of Being Annoying in Public would all shove into it and make it a repellent mess.

Damn, you humans can screw up anything. Really.

Shanglan

I've not said it in an age, but I you ,horsey!

It breaks my heart to see all this political correctness crap going on. I love where I live now, we have religions and cultures so diverse, yet everyone gets on so well. Everyone should have the right to celebrate their religious festivals as they please. In their shop windows, in their homes, in the streets, in the public parks, in the schools etc etc etc. It's important that people do so, it's important for people to have an identity.


Political correctness is rubbing it all out, trying to make everything generic and the same.

I say balls to that! Great big Christmas balls with nativity scenes on'em!!!

 

[Whisky7up]

I like Christmas. I like Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch stole Christmas, decorations throughout the neighborhood, etc. It is far more a holiday of memories to me, than a religious holiday.

I guess, the best way is to say it on a personal level. If you go fucking with my cherished memories, you're going to meet resistance from me that you wouldn't ordinarily see. I suspect, the vast majority of those who complain aren't doing so because of religion, they are doing so because Christmas means something to them on a personal level and that is really wrapped up in the traditions of the season as they remember them.

So yeah, it is that important. And yeah, I'd be willing to boycott over it. As is, I see my cherieshed memories of what christmas is and what signals the season to me fade a little more each year. Some of that's time, some of it is a change in kids, what they want and do and expect. I don't think todays kids look forward to the Grinch like I did and still do. All of that though, is a slow change that has come about because of forces I have no say over. But Intentionally fucking it up? Yeah, I'd be willing to fight that.

Well said!

 

[cantdog]

I don't think it means that they are boycotting Christmas. I do see it as part of a continuing erosion of American traditions in order to bow down to "political correctness." I am appalled to see schools or cities ban traditional Christian displays, but allow the displays of most other major faiths. I am not a Christian.

We have gotten to a point in the United States where we are supposed to be ashamed of being Americans. All I can say is, if you think that things could be better in the United States, try living in another country. I have had several people I know try it and they only saw the advantages we have here after they moved elsewhere.

JMNTHO.

There's a lot of loaded language here. Also, how do you get from Merry Christmas to Why don't you move the fuck out if you don't like it? Is it just a domestic dispute that's left you in a pugnacious mood?

 

[rgraham666]

Like I said, cant. Every Christmas people's insecurities come out to play.

 

[Stella_Omega]

We had a halloween display at work, they had to remove the green witch with the black pointee hat because the Wiccans found it offensive.

Yes, it's a little like the happy ni**er eating the watermelon,
and that was once an ubiquitous advertising image in this country.

If these images weren't a way to point a finger and call "inferiority" I wouldn't mind.

I miss the cultural richness of all the stereotype images- but it's far more important to promote personal human dignity first. We are trying, in this country (some people say, anyway) to allow each person to be judged on their own, singular merits. If you hear that I'm wiccan, for instance, and the first thing you think of is a green warty nose- You won't look to have much in common with me, and we'll have to climb one extra mountain just to get to level ground.

you know what I mean?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Conservatives, in general, don't like seeing change for the sake of change. They are, for the most part, traditionalists. And yes, not saying Merry Christmas pisses me off. Not all conservatives are by definition corporate whores. A true conservative might favor lessened regulation, but he or she would not favor a return to lazzie faire capitalism. By definition, conservatives would be against radical measures as those usually involve a great deal of change.

I like Christmas. I like Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch stole Christmas, decorations throughout the neighborhood, etc. It is far more a holiday of memories to me, than a religious holiday.

I guess, the best way is to say it on a personal level. If you go fucking with my cherished memories, you're going to meet resistance from me that you wouldn't ordinarily see. I suspect, the vast majority of those who complain aren't doing so because of religion, they are doing so because Christmas means something to them on a personal level and that is really wrapped up in the traditions of the season as they remember them.

So yeah, it is that important. And yeah, I'd be willing to boycott over it. As is, I see my cherieshed memories of what christmas is and what signals the season to me fade a little more each year. Some of that's time, some of it is a change in kids, what they want and do and expect. I don't think todays kids look forward to the Grinch like I did and still do. All of that though, is a slow change that has come about because of forces I have no say over. But Intentionally fucking it up? Yeah, I'd be willing to fight that.

Kind of like protecting the sanctity of marriage thing?

Have Christmas! Enjoy it! Just don't assume anymore, that every single human being in the world is having Christmas along with you. Welcome to the rest of the world, guys.

Oddly enough, Colly, the songs you've mentioned here- are all of them secular, and therefore utterly acceptable to the PC crowd.

 

[sweetnpetite]

So yeah, it is that important. And yeah, I'd be willing to boycott over it. As is, I see my cherieshed memories of what christmas is and what signals the season to me fade a little more each year. Some of that's time, some of it is a change in kids, what they want and do and expect. I don't think todays kids look forward to the Grinch like I did and still do. All of that though, is a slow change that has come about because of forces I have no say over. But Intentionally fucking it up? Yeah, I'd be willing to fight that.

You would boycott because things change?

Man... if that only worked. Things will always be different from 'when we where kids.' All the things that we cherish from our childhood were things our parents were bemoaning because they where different from theres. Sure, we moan and complain about change- but boycott?

I wasn't very articulate, and I didn't really say what i meant to on the last post. I didn't mean to offend you or anything. All I meant was conservatives are generally against lots of government regulations on businesses, and now they want to tell companies what to say during the holidays. This has nothing to do with regulations or laws- there are currently no laws that I am aware of governing holdiday greetings, so I don't understand the whole political whoopla about it. (except that it is aimed at cherished memories, and by extension, emotions)

Certainly fighting to keep holiday celebrations allowed in schools makes sence, but getting all up in arms because private companies have selected to change their greeting? Hell, if Walmart wants to greet costomers with "Hail Satan!" they have that right. (and of course you don't have to shop there- but its hardly a political issue.)

I think that the radio and tv people are getting people all worked up and politicising something that has been going on forever. Not only that, but that but they are acting like Christmas has never had a secular aspect. I don't think thats doing anything but harming and ruining the holiday. (what happened to Peace on Earth?- instead we are fighting over trivial shit based on an emotional reaction) Or in other words, what shang said.

Damn, you humans can screw up anything. Really.