It's three days after Thanksgiving, and...

[conuly]

Oh, no, I can't dare conceive of more than one holiday at a time!

*eyeroll*

Well, that was mildly amusing. I shouldn't bother engaging them, I know, but I've been good... more or less... for a few months (I think), so... yeah.

You'll note that she's probably right - I've never once really heard anybody get offended at being told "Merry Christmas". Even the most die-hard non-Christians I know usually just roll their eyes and accept the greeting in the spirit in which it was given. As that's the case, why the heck can't these twits do the same thing?

Save your indignation for things that really matter, guys. Oh, hey, did you know that there's, like, a war or ten going on right now? There are people starving to death, and going hungry in this very country. There really are Christians in this world who are being persecuted, if that's what matters to you - though not many of them happen to live in this country. For that matter, there are honestly people in this world who really have never heard of Jesus - not many of them live in the US either. And what with the usual outbreaks of war, famine, pestilence, and death all over everywhere, why don't you do the rest of us a favor and go shove that Christian love and charity at somebody who could really use the help. I can name a few places.

Of course, here I am being all hypocritical and all, but man, this sort of stuff irritates me no end! All I want for Christmas is the right to greet people in the manner I see fit, preferably without starting the next world war. And I'm thinking that shouldn't be too much to ask.

Maybe it's just me, I don't know, but was it really worth that whole thread (not to mention this entire pointless entry)?

I didn't think so.

Comments

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

well, that was mildly amusing. OK, sometimes if I get a "merry christmas" I respond with "and a happy hanukah to you!" or something like that. just to be silly, because really, I celebrate both, and I accept that I'm going to be wished a merry christmas about a million times in the next month. people who get their panties in a twist about it are silly...I think if you're working in a shop, "happy holidays" is best/most inclusive, because hey, there might be a holiday today you don't know about, and wouldn't it be nice if that were covered as well? but if it's a christmas tree shop, or a judaica store, or anything else specific like that, a little specific holday greeting is nearly always appropriate.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

I'd get wished well on many Jewish holidays when I lived in a Jewish neighborhood.

I send out Christmas cards because I kind of observe it (in as much as a Quaker can observe a holiday I suppose). When I was Wiccan I sent out solstice cards. I sent out cards related to what I celebrated, I was the one sending the cards out. I could not keep track of all the faiths of my friends.

As someone who belongs to a faith that doesn't observe holidays, I should be getting my panties in a bunch about all this but to me the good cheer and well wishes of people are what matter.

People who get their nose out of joint about anyone wishing people well really need to lighten up. You're not getting persecuted, damnit. (Obviously, fails, you're not one of them. Just to be clear.)

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

I think it's absolutely appropriate to go with what you celebrate, in a personal setting. Of course, if your dear friend is a Jew, you'll know better than to wish them a happy christmas...but if it's just an acquaintance, or someone who's religion you're not sure of, etc...it shouldn't matter. I think in a professional setting, it's better to remain neutral...the store clerk should be saying "happy holidays" rather than focusing on any one religion. Unless, as I said, it's a religious STORE.
......
But I still agree with you and think it's silly to get all worked up about it. If people followed general polite guidelines, it wouldn't be a problem. the problem is, people on both sides of the issue get all worked up...i'm an atheist jew, but if i get merry-christmased in december, oh well. I accept it and move on.