Posted by
James, Burlington, Ont. on May 17, 2008:
Just in case you get into this argument again (and you will), remember to tell them that celebrating Christmas was BANNED in America during Revolutionary times, to the point that churches were locked to keep worshippers out. The date of Dec 25 wasn't in the Bible, you see . . .
Posted by
Ayesha in Boston on May 19, 2008:
Hey, cool! I didn't know that about Xmas being banned. Hooray for learning something new every day.
Whenever people get uptight about "happy holidays" being wished upon them (sidebar: seriously? Getting annoyed at *how* people are well-wishing you?) I am reminded of this particular comic: http://www.idrewthis.org/d/20061228.html
("Plurals are a secular humanist plot!")
Posted by
Rae in Rural SoCal (yes, there _is_ such a place!) on May 21, 2008:
Like Ayesha alluded to, "Merry Christmas" just refers to one day. When I wish someone "Happy Holidays" I am wishing them good tidings not only on December 25, but for the entire season from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. And frankly, though I am Christian and not Jewish by any stretch of the imagination, were someone to wish me "Happy Hannukah" I wouldn't be offended in the least. Quite the opposite, I'd be quite thankful that they are wishing me happiness on a day that they hold in high regard.
Posted by
David, NYC on June 2, 2008:
I realize that not everyone celebrates the same holidays in the Winter, and I tailor my greetings accordingly. Merry christmas to my christian co-workers, Happy Channukah to my fellow Jews, Happy Kwanza, Happy Solictice, etc. as the situation demands. If my co-workers wish me a Merry christmas, I respond with a simple 'thank you'; after all, why get offended that they are providing me with well-wishes according to their belief system - in an absolute worst-case scenario, they're just words, and "sticks and stones...".
Posted by
Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 19, 2009:
Perfect answer Randy!
If you look at many "Christian" holidays you will find a pagan holiday that was there first. All Saints Day which is the day after Halloween and Easter are two of the big ones.
Easter was named after the Saxon goddess of fertility "Eostre" and was celebrated every spring.
Halloween is on the the Celtic Samhain festival which celebrates the end of the harvest.
Early Christians tried to convert pagans and in their effort to do so, they converted the holidays as well.
Happy Politically Correct Holiday - Comments
Posted by James, Burlington, Ont. on May 17, 2008:
Just in case you get into this argument again (and you will), remember to tell them that celebrating Christmas was BANNED in America during Revolutionary times, to the point that churches were locked to keep worshippers out. The date of Dec 25 wasn't in the Bible, you see . . .
Posted by Ayesha in Boston on May 19, 2008:
Hey, cool! I didn't know that about Xmas being banned. Hooray for learning something new every day.
Whenever people get uptight about "happy holidays" being wished upon them (sidebar: seriously? Getting annoyed at *how* people are well-wishing you?) I am reminded of this particular comic: http://www.idrewthis.org/d/20061228.html
("Plurals are a secular humanist plot!")
Posted by Rae in Rural SoCal (yes, there _is_ such a place!) on May 21, 2008:
Like Ayesha alluded to, "Merry Christmas" just refers to one day. When I wish someone "Happy Holidays" I am wishing them good tidings not only on December 25, but for the entire season from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. And frankly, though I am Christian and not Jewish by any stretch of the imagination, were someone to wish me "Happy Hannukah" I wouldn't be offended in the least. Quite the opposite, I'd be quite thankful that they are wishing me happiness on a day that they hold in high regard.
Posted by David, NYC on June 2, 2008:
I realize that not everyone celebrates the same holidays in the Winter, and I tailor my greetings accordingly. Merry christmas to my christian co-workers, Happy Channukah to my fellow Jews, Happy Kwanza, Happy Solictice, etc. as the situation demands. If my co-workers wish me a Merry christmas, I respond with a simple 'thank you'; after all, why get offended that they are providing me with well-wishes according to their belief system - in an absolute worst-case scenario, they're just words, and "sticks and stones...".
Posted by Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 19, 2009:
Perfect answer Randy!
If you look at many "Christian" holidays you will find a pagan holiday that was there first. All Saints Day which is the day after Halloween and Easter are two of the big ones.
Easter was named after the Saxon goddess of fertility "Eostre" and was celebrated every spring.
Halloween is on the the Celtic Samhain festival which celebrates the end of the harvest.
Early Christians tried to convert pagans and in their effort to do so, they converted the holidays as well.
Read the article that everyone's commenting on, or post a comment about it.