Merry CHRISTMAS -- or Happy Holidays?

[CouversMom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Or, to look at it another way, this is the season to love our fellow men, so why not be as inclusive and generous as possible?

You said exactly what I meant!!

[lisaly]

When I think of the holidays and religion, it reminds me of the love between people, not something that should divide people. My dearest friend of more than 35 years was a very devout and deeply religious person. She taught theology for many years and studied it in a doctoral program. I learned more about the Jewish religion from my Catholic friend than I learned from my own family, since she was a religious scholar who loved deeply. Our religions never separated us, and sharing our holidays with each other only brought us closer together. Holidays are a special time for me to share with people I love. It doesn't matter one bit if we are the same religion but about sharing something with people that I care about. I celebrate Christmas with my husband's family, and my dear mother in law surprised me by bring a menorah into her home before I married her son so that she could celebrate my holiday with me. To me, that's the spirit of the holidays. If people wish me a Merry Christmas out of the goodness of their hearts, I'm grateful for their kind wishes. I say Happy Holidays because I also include the wishes for the new year, and I also prefer to be all inclusive and respectful of all religions and cultures. I certainly would not want to deny people their right to celebrate a holiday that is important to them. Let these holidays bring us together in a spirit of love.

[Baby Blessing]

Originally Posted by lisaly

When I think of the holidays and religion, it reminds me of the love between people, not something that should divide people. My dearest friend of more than 35 years was a very devout and deeply religious person. She taught theology for many years and studied it in a doctoral program. I learned more about the Jewish religion from my Catholic friend than I learned from my own family, since she was a religious scholar who loved deeply. Our religions never separated us, and sharing our holidays with each other only brought us closer together. Holidays are a special time for me to share with people I love. It doesn't matter one bit if we are the same religion but about sharing something with people that I care about. I celebrate Christmas with my husband's family, and my dear mother in law surprised me by bring a menorah into her home before I married her son so that she could celebrate my holiday with me. To me, that's the spirit of the holidays. If people wish me a Merry Christmas out of the goodness of their hearts, I'm grateful for their kind wishes. I say Happy Holidays because I also include the wishes for the new year, and I also prefer to be all inclusive and respectful of all religions and cultures. I certainly would not want to deny people their right to celebrate a holiday that is important to them. Let these holidays bring us together in a spirit of love.

So graciously expressed, thank you, exactly my feelings also.
Love and Hugs, Patti and Jack

[MauiGirl]

Nice thread (thanks for starting it Brit), and it's interesting to hear everyone's thoughts. I honestly don't think anybody has bad intentions when wishing others a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Happy anything else, and it's a shame we even have to worry about all the political correctness.

However, I often take the route of "Happy Holidays" just to cover all bases.

But, being in Hawaii, my favorite is MELE KALIKIMAKA

[107barney]

Last week, our office was decorated for the "season" and all I can say is nothing says Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy kwanzaa, happy festivis or whatever your fancy like the way we did this year at our office.

A photo of a lion with a dead antelope in its mouth as part of our "seasonal" office decor.

I am trying to wrap my head around how a fresh kill would signify any holiday, but I'm not going to sweat it if I don't. I just am glad we have a different theme each year because this one was just really out there.

Happy Hunting, I suppose.

[misslissa]

Okay so my crazy mom raised me (and my brother and sister) Pagan so as a child i always got very upset by the merry Christmas thing but when someone said happy holidays i thought they wear saying it just so i did not feel left out. it made me feel special.
now that i have custody of my brother and sister I find it rude when the school plays a Christmas movie the day before Thanksgiving break. I had to go to the school and pick my brother up early because they wear doing a Christmas project and the teacher felt it would be too difficullt to change it "fit our faith"
my sister who is in high school was told she could come in during Christmas break to make up a test because "she was not doing anything important".

in general i dont say anything and when the kids want to watch a Christmas movie i always let them and this year for the fist time my brother asked if he could write a letter to santa and i told him yes but when we are out in public i an upset when someone says merry Christmas and i have to see how upset that one comment makes my ten year old. i feel like its really just nicer to say happy holidays

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Last week, our office was decorated for the "season" and all I can say is nothing says Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy kwanzaa, happy festivis or whatever your fancy like the way we did this year at our office.

A photo of a lion with a dead antelope in its mouth as part of our "seasonal" office decor.

I am trying to wrap my head around how a fresh kill would signify any holiday, but I'm not going to sweat it if I don't. I just am glad we have a different theme each year because this one was just really out there.

Happy Hunting, I suppose.

That sounds like a very strange office, to say the least.

I hadn't realized this was such a big deal. Does anyone here watch 30 Rock? They had a really funny spoof on this.