The war on Christmas

[henryp]

The idea brings joy and purpose to some people's lives. Much like Santa Claus does to a child. If some people want to put on a nativity scene in the park, or sing some songs with the word "God" in it, it strikes me as harmless.

I consider them lucky to be naive enough to believe in a fairy tale, and I gain nothing from trying to spoil it for them.

Atheists are the adults in this situation. I think it's a mistake to behave like our ideas are equal and 'at war.'

[Jacob(smooth)]

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."

That's the irony of the whole war on Christmas thing. The only people historically who gave had any luck banning Christmas... We're Christians. Puritans in Cromwell's day, jehovahs witnesses and some far right Christians today.

Wonder if they will turn out to condemn Sarah Palin. That would be fun.

[freedomfromforum]

If I, being an atheist, wished you a happy nugget, would you be OK with that? It's red and green at my place year-round

[Jacob(smooth)]

No, I'd be intensely jealous. Unless you said it to me at your house. Then I'd be delighted.

[Doubting Thomas]

The problem with the whole "war on Christmas" idea is that conservative Christians here in the U.S. can't seem to understand why someone of the Jewish or Muslim faith might be offended when you say "Merry Christmas" to them. It would be like if Satanists said "Happy Satan Day!" or whatever specifically Satanic holidays they have to a Christian. Pretty much the same goes with Christians saying "God bless!" to everyone. They wouldn't like it if someone said "Hail Satan!" to them. Hell, they wouldn't like it if a Muslim said "Praise Allah!" to them, even though Allah is the Judeo-Christian god.

I think the main reason conservative Christians are pissed off at "Happy Holidays" is because they know they're losing their stranglehold on American society, and accepting multiculturalism instead of society being strictly Christian is one more battle they've lost. Most Americans realize that not everyone is Christian, so don't subject them all to Christian beliefs. It's mainly the Fox News viewers who can't seem to grasp that people celebrate more than Christmas near the end of December, nor do they even realize that Christmas was celebrated as a pagan holiday long before Christianity took over the winter holiday.

[downbeatplumb]

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 love christmas without it the winter would be so depressing. Which is of course why there was always a celebration at that time Saturnalia, Sol Victus etc etc.

So say happy christmas and I will say it back. Why not it has zero religious meaning to me and I suspect the same is true of most people even those at least superficially christian.

[The Reality Salesman01]

This!!!

What???

[Bob Kelso]

I'm never offended when someone wishes me a merry Christmas or the like, that's just stupid. The holidays are meant to be a time of brotherhood regardless of creed in my humble opinion.

Also I'll be celebrating Festivus this year.

"A Festivus for the rest of us!"

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus

[Captain Colostomy]

Fuck Christmas.

I take no offense to others using it as an excuse to 'be merry', but it's such a drag on my nerves. But, that's my feel on it...I'm ambivalent to friendly about it face-to-face with upbeat well wishers.

[T.J.]

Someone wishing me a Merry Christmas doesn't bother me, nor does saying Happy Holidays since I always saw the latter as a way to sum up all the holidays that go on around that time in two simple words.