I don't get offended when I hear "Merry Christmas," but I do think to myself, how do you know I'm not Jewish?

There are many aspects of Christmas I enjoy, and there are many aspects I despise(as Min. pointed out, much of the music is painful). I am glad, however, that you recognize the absurdity of the "war" on Christmas. I throw up in my mouth a little when I hear that Christ is being taken out of Christmas when it is in fact Christians that took the Saturn out of Saturnalia. But if there is one thing I have come to expect from many Christians, it is the need to have persecution, be it real or imaginary.

I agree, the 'happy' is the important bit. I wish people 'Happy Christmas' throughout the season, and I don't feel as though I'm betraying atheist principles or anything like that.

In the same vein, I've a habit of wishing people 'Happy Friday!', doesn't mean I worship the Norse gods.

Boru

(November 13, 2013 at 11:33 am)Faith No More Wrote: I don't get offended when I hear "Merry Christmas," but I do think to myself, how do you know I'm not Jewish?

There are many aspects of Christmas I enjoy, and there are many aspects I despise(as Min. pointed out, much of the music is painful). I am glad, however, that you recognize the absurdity of the "war" on Christmas. I throw up in my mouth a little when I hear that Christ is being taken out of Christmas when it is in fact Christians that took the Saturn out of Saturnalia. But if there is one thing I have come to expect from many Christians, it is the need to have persecution, be it real or imaginary.

That's true.

But why should I not wish a Jewish person happy Christmas? It's me doing the wishing. They don't like it, that's their problem not mine. I think Christians demanding others say happy Christmas is stupid, but equally, I'll wish people to have a happy whatever bloody holiday I please, whether they are atheist, Jewish or 7th day goatwrangler.

(November 13, 2013 at 11:22 am)Minimalist Wrote: I don't give a shit about xmas one way or the other EXCEPT for that miserable, sappy, shitty, music they blare at you in every store because they think it puts shoppers "in the mood." It puts me in the mood to hose down the speaker system with an AK-47.

That, and the absolutely totally stupid, brain-dead Christmas TV movies on the Hallmark channel that my wife insists on watching, which they run every night from the beginning of November through Christmas.

To me, Christmas season shouldn't start until after Thanksgiving, but any more it starts as soon as stores put away the back-to-school displays. One year, I kid you not, the very day after Halloween a local radio station was playing nonstop Christmas music.

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(November 13, 2013 at 11:23 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: Why should a cheery greeting offend someone, irrespective of their views on the origin of that time of year.

That's why I don't get this whole "let's be offended because people are saying 'Happy holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' nonsense that's brought out of mothballs every year by the religious right.

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(November 13, 2013 at 11:41 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: But why should I not wish a Jewish person happy Christmas?

Because they don't celebrate Christmas? If you know someone is Jewish, why say that instead of "Happy Hanukkah?" But I'm sure most Jewish people are used to hearing "Merry Christmas" already and probably just blow it off unless they feel the need to inform the person of their religion.

(November 13, 2013 at 11:45 am)Doubting Thomas Wrote:

(November 13, 2013 at 11:22 am)Minimalist Wrote: I don't give a shit about xmas one way or the other EXCEPT for that miserable, sappy, shitty, music they blare at you in every store because they think it puts shoppers "in the mood." It puts me in the mood to hose down the speaker system with an AK-47.

That, and the absolutely totally stupid, brain-dead Christmas TV movies on the Hallmark channel that my wife insists on watching, which they run every night from the beginning of November through Christmas.

To me, Christmas season shouldn't start until after Thanksgiving, but any more it starts as soon as stores put away the back-to-school displays. One year, I kid you not, the very day after Halloween a local radio station was playing nonstop Christmas music.

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(November 13, 2013 at 11:23 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: Why should a cheery greeting offend someone, irrespective of their views on the origin of that time of year.

That's why I don't get this whole "let's be offended because people are saying 'Happy holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' nonsense that's brought out of mothballs every year by the religious right.

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(November 13, 2013 at 11:41 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: But why should I not wish a Jewish person happy Christmas?

Because they don't celebrate Christmas? If you know someone is Jewish, why say that instead of "Happy Hanukkah?" But I'm sure most Jewish people are used to hearing "Merry Christmas" already and probably just blow it off unless they feel the need to inform the person of their religion.

Well exactly. Whether you celebrate Christmas seems irrelevant. I don't celebrate morning but I still get people wish me good morning.

Seems to me it's a freedom thing ('murica.!). I don't get to tell you what to wish me based on my beliefs and vice versa!

(November 13, 2013 at 10:48 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: First thread. Let me know if it's on the wrong forum.

So I've read about Sarah Palin's book, about the war on Christmas. Not read the book itself because I'm really, really fed up of first world Christians whining about being persecuted and I suspect it would make me cross.

I have a question for you atheist folks.

If I, being a Christian, wished you a happy Christmas, would you be OK with that? Are there any circumstances you would find it offensive?

Welcome!

For me, even as a child brought up Chritian, I never gave real thought to the significance of Christmas in relation to my religion. Of course I knew why it was remembered as a significant day, but the holiday itself represented more to me than the commemoration of a biblical event.

Now, Christmas is about having a day set aside to just to enjoy eachother, It's about seeing the sparkle in my son's eyes, and decorating the house in ridiculous lights, eating good food, enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, and watching movies I've seen a million times (Ralphie).

When someone says "Merry Christmas", I feel like they are extending their hopes that I get to thoroughly enjoy the above things and it's an example of the goodwill toward strangers that some may not regularly practice without a day to reflect on its importance. It's recieved as a kind gesture. I don't have a single problem with it at all.

(November 13, 2013 at 12:03 pm)Texas Sailor Wrote:

(November 13, 2013 at 10:48 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: First thread. Let me know if it's on the wrong forum.

So I've read about Sarah Palin's book, about the war on Christmas. Not read the book itself because I'm really, really fed up of first world Christians whining about being persecuted and I suspect it would make me cross.

I have a question for you atheist folks.

If I, being a Christian, wished you a happy Christmas, would you be OK with that? Are there any circumstances you would find it offensive?

Welcome!

For me, even as a child brought up Chritian, I never gave real thought to the significance of Christmas in relation to my religion. Of course I knew why it was remembered as a significant day, but the holiday itself represented more to me than the commemoration of a biblical event.

Now, Christmas is about having a day set aside to just to enjoy eachother, It's about seeing the sparkle in my son's eyes, and decorating the house in ridiculous lights, eating good food, enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, and watching movies I've seen a million times (Ralphie).

When someone says "Merry Christmas", I feel like they are extending their hopes that I get to thoroughly enjoy the above things and it's an example of the goodwill toward strangers that some may not regularly practice without a day to reflect on its importance. It's recieved as a kind gesture. I don't have a single problem with it at all.

This!!!

(November 13, 2013 at 11:45 am)Doubting Thomas Wrote: To me, Christmas season shouldn't start until after Thanksgiving, but any more it starts as soon as stores put away the back-to-school displays. One year, I kid you not, the very day after Halloween a local radio station was playing nonstop Christmas music.

I started hearing Christmas music on the radio two weeks before Halloween this year.

And did I EVER hear that radio station play the Monster Mash?!?! NO.



I generally take a Bah, humbug approach to Christmas simply because it's shoved down my throat so forcefully from November 1st (or earlier) to December 31st.

As for saying Merry Christmas, or Happy Christmas, or Happy Saturnalia or Merry Festivus or Happy Hanukkah or Kwanza or whatever... I don't get offended by others presuming to say one of those to me as it tells me more about that person and their views and biases and what they believe than it is offensive to me. If someone says Merry Christmas to me, I'll say Merry Christmas back. If someone says Happy Hanukkah, I'll say Happy Hanukkah back. If I initiate the sentiment I say Happy Holidays as I feel that it's the most inclusive, not only of the holiday celebrated on or around the 25th, but also of New Years and Thanksgiving.

If I'm feeling cheeky or am on facebook, I forgo all such greetings as listed above and wish people a Merry Catmas.

(November 13, 2013 at 10:48 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: First thread. Let me know if it's on the wrong forum.

So I've read about Sarah Palin's book, about the war on Christmas. Not read the book itself because I'm really, really fed up of first world Christians whining about being persecuted and I suspect it would make me cross.

I have a question for you atheist folks.

If I, being a Christian, wished you a happy Christmas, would you be OK with that? Are there any circumstances you would find it offensive?

I would be fine with it.

Christmas, Easter, it's all time off from work. I'm happy about spending time with my loved ones and giving presents. That I don't believe the Jesus story, and understand that Christmas is simply the Roman Saturnalia festival modified for a Christian audience, doesn't detract from any of this

(November 13, 2013 at 10:48 am)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: If I, being a Christian, wished you a happy Christmas, would you be OK with that? Are there any circumstances you would find it offensive?

I wouldn't find it offensive, no different than a person offering a "bless you" when I sneeze. It's more like a custom than a religious observance. I would even return the sentiment.

The irony is that when I was a Jehovah's Witness, I would probably have seemed offended had you wished me a Merry Christmas, since their belief system considers Christmas to be a pagan holiday and any expression related to it would be inappropriate for a True Christian™ to make. So I probably would have replied with an uncomfortable "thanks."