by Lundin’ Bridge
Now that the holidays are over, I think it’s time to discuss the whole “Merry Christmas”/”Happy Holidays” debate. In recent years, culture has decided that in order to be politically correct we must wish people a “Happy Holidays” around holiday time rather than a “Merry Christmas”, as this might offend some people. Really? It amazes me that every year we as a culture seem to be moving farther and farther away from the origins of Christmas. Religious aspects of the holiday have been thrown out the window for a media and cultural obsession that starts a little before Thanksgiving and progressively tampers out so that when Christmas finally comes people are ready for the next big holiday. “Merry Christmas” is like a Mom and Pop shop slowly going out of business as the “Happy Holidays” conglomerate dominates everything in its path. People have gone so far as to try and change the names of Christmas Trees to Holiday Trees. Are you fucking serious? I better stop before I get off topic.
Here’s my argument, do with it as you will. To wish someone a “Merry Christmas” is (or at least should be) in no way an offensive remark. It simply means that during this time one person wishes another person happiness and good fortune, etc. This is never a negative statement. If someone means it as a negative statement, they should be left alone in a room with eight ravenous reindeer. I digress. My point then is that no one should be offended when someone wishes a “Merry Christmas”. So what if you’re not Catholic? First off, if it weren’t for Christianity there wouldn’t be Christmas but that’s a different story. By wishing someone a “Merry Christmas”, I am not force feeding the Catholic faith down your throat. I simply wish you to have a nice couple of weeks during the holiday season. Likewise, if a Jewish person wishes me a “Happy Hanukkah”, there is absolutely no reason to get offended. They are simply wishing the same thing. There should be no problem in someone responding back “Merry Christmas”. Both parties wish upon one another a happy holiday (without actually saying it), and both parties leave knowing that one member was probably Jewish and the other was probably Catholic. End of story. As for Kwanzaa,…
Just kidding. Kwanzaa is incredibly frustrating to me. This is not meant to be racist, but Kwanzaa is not a holiday. It’s basically like Black History Month (which is another frustrating issue), for one week. Kwanzaa was not created to celebrate a religion, it was created to celebrate a race. What the fuck is that? That’s why people have festivals or parades, not holidays! How the hell can someone wish you a “Happy Kwanzaa?” That’s like saying, “Hey, have a happy Italians!” or “Happy Irish!” It’s absolutely ridiculous. But again, I digress.
As far as “Happy Holidays” is concerned, I think it should only be used by those who do not practice any religion and do not view Christmas as a religious day. In that circumstance, wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” would just be a contradiction because the person doesn’t give a shit about the religious aspect, they just want the gifts. Hypocrites. Anyway,for people who have any faith in God whatsoever, please stop with the “Happy Holidays” like you’re on the politically correct committee. If you don’t like the phrase “Merry Christmas”, or Jesus Christ, or Christmas Trees, or if you want all of man-kind to never have happiness, then go home, and shut the fuck up. We don’t want to hear your complaining about it.
As you can see, I get very worked up over this issue. I can’t imagine how drastically things may change in a few decades however. Will the holiday still be called Christmas? Will there still even be a Santa? Will Christmas just become an exchanging of gifts with no subsequent meanings behind them? I try not to think about it. But I hope I don;t have to tell my grandkids the story about how when I was a kid, we used to say “Merry Christmas”.
hydro033
PHIL0S0RAPT0R
ssjrem
mikexuanle
flash427
dukemich
Lundin' Bridge
Pedro
redfox13b
Whether you’re a Christian or from any other religious background or atheist, Christmas is a good thing. The holiday represents all that is good with humanity. I’m not saying everyone’s Christmas is the same or even happy. It’s a time to get together with family. It’s a time to show your love for others. It’s a time of happiness where everything is dropped to obtain it. I feel bad for people who are unable to enjoy it. Don’t worry about the religious aspect of it just have fun with it. Realize what you have and enjoy it. That’s what Christmas is and to say that you would stop celebrating that tradition or togetherness is bullshit. Don’t start an argument about what came first or who stole it or what it’s called. Be thankful that we can celebrate with our families. I see it as I get older. I see my parents less and less. It’s good to just spend time with them and with my sister. That is what this holiday is for me. People show their love most during this holiday.
By: dukemich on January 5, 2010
at 8:25 pm
I agree with you. The togetherness of the whole thing is wonderful and I won’t take that away from it. I just brought up the whole origin thing because it sometimes seem like Christians tend to think they have dominion over this whole season when that’s not the case. However, all the bickering does defeat the purpose of Christmas. Then again, much of the point of Christmas is all about money and presents and such. Still, I’d be fine without any gifts at all. Just gathering with the family would be nice. And seeing as people celebrate all sorts of holidays and have different beliefs of varying intensities, I don’t see any problems with just saying happy holidays.
By: ssjrem on January 6, 2010
at 12:13 am
The reason Christians take precedence for Christmas is because it wouldn’t be called Christmas without CHRIST. The only thing worth celebrating around this time of the year was the new year itself, which is kind of over done. Christians developed Christmas, and it was culture and the media who have made it what it is today. Christmas was made to help all Christians come together to realize what the holiday was all about, i.e Jesus. Now it should help bring members or certain religions together, or groups of people who do not believe in religions. I wish that the main point of Christmas (religion) was still the focal point of the holiday, but family is a definite must.
As far as Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and what not, people shouldn’t be afraid to say Merry Christmas to someone regardless of their religion. And if people don’t believe in the whole Christmas thing, then they should sit home that day and keep to themselves. People have become so hypocritical, bashing Christmas but when all is said in done they’re still exchanging gifts. So, say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or etc. if you have any faith in a God. My whole point is that people who are Christians and what not say Happy Holidays out of fear of offending someone. This shouldn’t happen. For others, say Happy Holidays if you do not believe in a god. But above all, enjoy the holiday with your family and friends because that’s what matters most. All should celebrate it.
By: lundinbridge on January 6, 2010
at 1:26 am
You shouldn’t get offended when I say Merry Christmas so I have no right to say that you saying happy holidays is wrong. There you are absolutely right. Unless I say Merry Christmas and you say something like no, no, no, no, no, no, no, it’s happy holidays and vice versa. You’re also right on the point that Christmas should not be about the gifts.
By: dukemich on January 6, 2010
at 1:29 am
This whole post is kind of contradictory. You say people should just accept someone wishing them a “Merry Christmas” without any religious meaning behind, but that’s impossible. Christ is right in the word. You say that for that one particular instance, Christmas can be a secular well-wishing, but at the same time, you seem to mourn the increasing secularization of the holiday. I don’t see the harm with happy holidays. You shouldn’t just assume that everyone is a Christian and wish them a “Merry Christmas.”
And besides, despite what most Christians like to claim, Christmas has never really been a Christian holiday. Humans were having pagan celebrations of the solstace well before Christmas came along. Christianity just kind of came along and slapped their holiday in during this season and now think they have dominace over it, that it always belonged to them. But that’s not the case. From centuries, Christmas has been tied up with tons of things that have nothing to do with Christianity. It’s been secular for a long time, whether or not anyone was willing to admit it.
As an atheist, I don’t really get offended at all when someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas.” I just view it as a nice time to get together with friends and family and show them you care. Somewhere down the road, I imagine I’ll ultimately stop celebrating Christmas. Maybe I’ll go with Festivus haha. But for now, Christmas is okay with me because the rest of my family is Christian and I’m not going to “come out” and make a big scene, possibly even severing relationships with some family members.
And I agree with Hydro. Religion has far outlived its usefulness to society and I hope that by the time I die, it’s pretty much on its last legs.
By: ssjrem on January 5, 2010
at 6:55 pm
Lol i like the step-down gradient we have with our views on religion
It’s like Lundinbridge is most religious, then Dukemich follows behind, then there is myself on the fringe, then ssjrem who is complete atheist. It’s great.
By: hydro033 on January 5, 2010
at 8:58 pm
Yeah, as differently as we feel about all these things and as potentially heated as it could get, it is great to have such a level of diversity.
By: ssjrem on January 6, 2010
at 12:03 am
Haha that is awesome. It makes debates that much better because of all the different aspects.
By: dukemich on January 6, 2010
at 1:23 am
hmm… some thing i find torubling
Santa? He nothing to do with Christianity, it’s not Saint Nicholas, don’t be fooled.
I really think Christmas is a bloated economy booster that rolls around once a year and is just a pain in everyone’s ass. Honestly, I can see why people are upset about Merry Christmas. I think the whole ideal is the over-arching Christian dominance in this country. Politically, most Republicans want to uphold their faith and integrate it into this country because of self-righteousness. I can see why people are upset because I think it can be used in a negative manner to segregate, hold power, and dominate. I really think it’s beyond the phrase and religions. I don’t like one religion having presence over another in a country that claims separation of church and state.
I, honestly, don’t give a shit about organized religion. Fuck religion, I hope it fades into history – I think we’ll be much better off without jihad, Inquisitions, Crusades, and other self-righteous bullshit.
By: hydro033 on January 5, 2010
at 5:46 pm