Take back Christmas((Religious)) A Commentary by Sue My name is Sue, and I'm a Christian. I celebrate the birth of Christ this time each year and have been for nearly 67 years. In recent days, I have experienced store clerks who have been told they could no longer wish customers "Merry Christmas." They could say "Happy Holiday," however. The clerks admitted frustration and anger at their administrations' new directives. One pointed at the Christmas tree on public displaly and said, "That's no longer a Christmas tree, it's now called a 'holiday' tree." In an act of admitted defiance, as opposed to genuine and heart-felt sincerity, I wished each clerk a hearty "MERRY CHRISTMAS." One clerk wished me "Merry Christmas" in return so loudly that I seriously worried later that she might have jeopardized her job. I admit that I felt cheated that my greeting was more an act of defiance instead of a genuine, heartfelt greeting. And of course I've read, as you have, about any number of small and large businesses (who seem to have no trouble accepting the money we spend on Christmas gifts) who have attempted to make Christmas as "generic" as possible. "All inclusive," I believe I read one spokesman describe it. Now that my awareness is sufficiently aroused, I'm concerned about what I am seeing, hearing, and feeling. As I told one friend, if I invite someone to my home, and I offer grace before the meal, I would expect my guests to respect this and not be "offended." I realize that some of the politically "correct-edness" perhaps began out of consideration for our Jewish friends -- certainly, if I knew someone was not Christian, I have always said, "Happy Holidays" to them. My Jewish friends will usually always respond with, "Merry Christmas." It seemed to be working quite well. I love my Jewish friends - Christ was a Jew. So what happened? I know I'm not alone in feeling this way. I challenge everyone reading this to not succumb to the "Holiday" season but to instead keep the Christmas spirit alive. Lest there be any misunderstanding, I respect all who worship different than I. I feel there is room for everyone. I just don't feel any of us should have to change our manner of celebrating our special days for fear of offending others. That's the crux of what is troubling me this year. We all need to retain our right to express ourselves and our faith as we have always been able to do in the past. This is the CHRISTmas SEASON for Christians. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all. |
Great thread! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! |
merry christmas to you too.and may i add, happy new year |
Merry Christmas to you and everyone else! I heard on Paul Harvey the other day that a group of Jewish actors and comedians were standing up for Christmas. Jackie Mason was one of them. They stated that living in a country that was founded on Christian beliefs has made it possible for all religions to be free to worship as they wish. I thought that took great courage. I personally am goping to boycott stores that remove "Christmas" and insert "holidays." Our minister said last Sunday that the word "holidays" is derived from " holy days" so they really aren't winning after all! MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! |
Great thread. And sadly, that is too true. In school every year they put up a Menorah and a Christmas tree. And they always had different things you could do to help decorate the tree. Now they can't call it a Christmas tree, its a "holiday tree." For a country that was built on Christianity, this is very very sad :( With that said MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!! :love: |
Yes, it is very sad. :( And not right. Very sad. I even heard that out in Beverly Hill on Rodeo Drive, that they are not even allowed to have a Santa on display. This is the Christmas Season, we need to celebrate it and embrace it! Very sad though. I have many Jewish friends and some family members too--that married my cousins!!! They all love the whole spirit of Christmas! They love the Christmas parties and everything! They love the giving, the goodness, the peace of it all!!!!!! They are not offended by any of it! They too embrace it!!!!! So Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!! |
I completely agree! I think that this new "holiday" stuff is outrageous! I am a Catholic teen, but I do accept others religious beliefs. I just don't think it's right to take CHRIST out of CHRISTmas!! I know that not everyone believes in Christ, but in my experience, most of those people still celebrate Christmas. I know this is Christ's holiday, but many people celebrate it whether they believe in it or not. If we stop calling it Christmas, what will it become? What should we call this holiday now? I'm sorry if this post offends anyone. That wasn't my intention. I respect your beliefs whether you believe in Jesus or not. I just don't understand why we have to take CHRIST out of CHRISTmas! Merry Christmas! |
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I'm the only Mormon in my town (except for my family of course) I mean, most of the kids believe in Jesus, but they don't think about him at Christmas anymore. And one thing that can irritate me is when people to xmas instead of Christmas, because then you're taking the Christ out completley. :( Anyway, again, Merry Christmas everyone! |
Some of my thoughts on the subject: People who are not Christian don't celebrate Christmas. It just seems like they do since there is such an excessive entanglement of the government and Christianity and it's an extremely highly publicized event that stretches for over a month. The fact that some institutions prefer to call it a "holiday" tree or whatever is really not that outrageous to people who don't believe there is a God, or who believe there are many Gods or who are of other faiths, religious organizations or prefer just plain ol' non denominational spirituality. They like to feel like these institutions who are putting up the trees are including all faiths in their celebrations. I often call it "xmas" because I don't believe in Christ. I purposely take out the "christ" part. I feel that I have to refer to Dec 25th as something, so I call it xmas. If we stop calling it "Christmas" it will become a season to celebrate all faiths and beliefs - and to me, that's not a bad thing. When I say "holidays" I mean Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year. If I am speaking to a Jew or a Muslim, I am referring to Hannukah, Ramandan and New Year. and for the record in case anyone was wondering, I have a tree up and I used to be Catholic. I went to Catholic schools my whole life. |
I say celebrate whatever you believe in, and do not become angry with people that do not share, wish to share, or understand your beliefs. Along with that people engaged in private enterprise have every right to decide how they want their business to be run, and how they will acknowledge the holidays. As for places like public schools and what not I do think "holiday tree" is more appropriate than christmas tree, because public schools are places for everyone regardless of religion. At my school recently a number of jewish students became offended by our holiday display. Our school had errected a 50+ foot beautiful christmas tree, and then set a tiny little plastic menora literally in its shadow. Now I go to a Catholic University's law school, so I feel the christmas tree is to be expected, and after recieving numerous complaints about the arrangement of the display the menorah was removed...However, if I were at a public university I do not think either would be appropriate. Sorry for the tangent, but in sum I think this country was more built on the spirit of tolerance, and so celebrate what you choose. I for one choose to celebrate Christmas, but do not thrust your celebration on others! |
As for as I am concerned, If people don't believe in Jesus, then they shouldn't celebrate the holiday of Christmas since Christmas was originally about Christ. Christmas is a pagan holiday in some sorts, (Santa and the elves) but to Christians it is a day not only to look at a pretty tree, and receive and give gifts. It is also a day that we can be thankful for what God has done for us in this year, and for the people we have in our lives, a day that we can celebrate the birth of Christ. Noone should ruin that in my opinion, just because they don't believe in it. There are plenty of people that do believe in it, and are shocked to see what is happening to this holiday. There are also alot of things that I don't neccessarily agree with that goes on around every neighborhood, town, and county, but they are allowed to keep going on as they are. I am sorry if I am getting a bit politcal, but I have to stand up for what I believe in. |
Awww...tear...someone who shares in my frustrations. Like you, I am aware not everyone is Christian. However, I do not get offended by people wishing myself or others a happy Haunaka (sp?), I know several Jewish people who are not offended by people wishing a Merry Christmas. I think there are alot of bored, politically correct wanna-bes with NO LIFE! Excellent point...stores have no problems promoting sales with CHRISTmas displays or taking your money, but you can't wish someone a Merry Christmas? Please, give me a break! :mad: |
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1 Attachment(s) Oh, I forgot to let all of you CHRISTMAS lovers know about these awesome wristbands made by Ohio residents. They say "Just say Merry Christmas!" Here's the link to buy one (or many) They are $2 a piece: http://www.operationjustsaymerrychristmas.com/ Here's a pic: |
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