"happy holidays" vs. "merry christmas" Options

[Mulder]

ok, i know that people are talking about this in the lounge, so i understand if a mod closes this, but i wanted to know how everyone felt about saying "happy holidays" or "merry christmas"

saying merry christmas can be offensive to non-christians. im not saying it offends everyone, but i'm sure there are some that don't like it.

how is "happy holidays" disrespectful to anyone? it encompasses all the holidays in winter.

december is not christmas. christmas is one day. hannukah is 8 days. i believe (and im sorry if im wrong) that kwanzaa is 7 days??.

so why is christmas so important, and why are some christians making such a big deal out of saying "merry christmas"?

[yo pusha]

man isnt new years a holiday too? that is the dumbest shit ever if christians are protesting because "merry christmas" is not being used, all the other religeons should be protesting if it is used. actually, its not even a big deal.

[mzislandpinay]

okai first of all.. not all christians are always saying "merry christmas". They only make is a big deal b/c its the birth of Jesus Christ. and so on for the story of it.

I my self am a christan. and i say "happie hoilidays" cuz lyk you said. Not all of december is about Christmas.

[jEllyBeaNs]

yea, its not a big deal. i dont care, i would use merry christmas anyways, even if ppl did feel offened.

wuts tha big deal?! and christians are not making a big deal out of it. im a christian and this is the first time i have ever heard about anything like this. :/

[Mulder]

yea, its not a big deal.  i dont care, i would use merry christmas anyways, even if ppl did feel offened.

wuts tha big deal?! and christians are not making a big deal out of it.  im a christian and this is the first time i have ever heard about anything like this. :/

the debate over this has been going on for a while.

some christians are mad at stores for saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas". they're saying its offensive or something.

so, you dont mind offending someone? you don't care that they might not be christian?

[mzislandpinay]

the debate over this has been going on for a while.

some christians are mad at stores for saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas". they're saying its offensive or something.

so, you dont mind offending someone? you don't care that they might not be christian?

hmm.. well. I think christians who are acting lyk that.. and getting mad over something lyk this are being a little.. loopy. I mean. Maybe they ain't true to there word.

cuz if your christian.. they should matter what stores say.. they should be worriing about pleasing God.

[jEllyBeaNs]

the debate over this has been going on for a while.

some christians are mad at stores for saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas". they're saying its offensive or something.

so, you dont mind offending someone? you don't care that they might not be christian?

well...i dont see how that would offend them really. im a christian, and i dont see why christians would be the ones upset if ppl said happy holidays, cuz really saying happy holidays is just like saying happy holidays for all the upcoming holidays. thats what it seems like to me. i mean like i said i dont care what ppl say. saying happy holidays or merry christmas is just being friendly. some christians that are getting mad over that, are just being ridiculous.

[Mulder]

well...i dont see how that would offend them really.  im a christian, and i dont see why christians would be the ones upset if ppl said happy holidays, cuz really saying happy holidays is just like saying happy holidays for all the upcoming holidays.  thats what it seems like to me.  i mean like i said i dont care what ppl say.  saying happy holidays or merry christmas is just being friendly.  some christians that are getting mad over that, are just being ridiculous.

but non-christians might be offended by saying "merry christmas". thats all i was saying.

[_suzie_]

i know a lot of nonchristians and atheists who still send ''merry christmas'' cards and recieve them without any resentment or uncomfortableness. its all comercialised and not many people really give two sh1ts about the true meaning of christmas anyway.

still i see the point of using happy holidays, but its being too politically correct for my liking. i gladly accept Happy Christmas cards, and many atheists and non christians do too, cuz thats what it is. they dont have to believe in any of the background stuff. lets face it, half the christians on the planet havent a clue about it either and they still do it

What religions are you refering to when you say theyre offended? cuz for example, muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, ( i know, not the messiah but still, they believe in him). And christmas day represents his birth, right? so i doubt many muslims would care. If u have a muslim friend you'd know to greet them at the end of Ramadan etc anyway, instead of christmas.

basically, let ppl be offended all they like. its a multicultural society and people gotta live together and respect each others beliefs, instead of gettin so worked up about it for no real reason.

[*mona lisa*]

basically, let ppl be offended all they like. its a multicultural society and people gotta live together and respect each others beliefs, instead of gettin so worked up about it for no real reason.

It's okay for non-Christians to be offended when Merry Christmas is used, but not when Christians protest when Happy Holidays is used? It's not as if non-Christians don't respect Christians or Christmas, but it's stupid that Christians have to complain and make a huge deal out of something this small. I really don't think the Christian protesters are "respect[ing] each others beliefs" by doing something as idiotic as this. How many protests have taken place where non-Christians are complaining about the use of Merry Christmas? Very little or none. However, a Christian-led protest against the use of Happy Holidays should be considered as an outrage? Something's not right here.

You have some twisted logic there.

[DaTru KataLYST]

Those Christians that's make it their job to complain on behalf of Christianity overstep their bounds too much.

[_suzie_]

a Christian-led protest against the use of Happy Holidays should be considered as an outrage? Something's not right here.

You have some twisted logic there.

what? i didnt say anything about christian protesters


'' it's stupid that Christians have to complain and make a huge deal out of something this small''

yeah, i agreed with that. duno what ur on about

[Bobblehead425]

this sign outside of mcdonalds around here said merry christmas on it and this lady was complaining because she didnt celebrate christmas, she was jewish. i wouldnt compain though, i mean, it is sort of offending but no need to go to extreme measures.

[*mona lisa*]

what? i didnt say anything about christian protesters
'' it's stupid that Christians have to complain and make a huge deal out of something this small''

yeah, i agreed with that. duno what ur on about

Yeah... I sort of... just... went on.... a rant.

[xblueradiance]

You know, I think that being offended by either one is just stupid. Either non-Christians saying "Merry Christmas" and the others being offended, or the other way around, with people of different beliefs saying "Happy Holidays" and Christians getting offended... both are just stupid.

I am not a Christian, but I don't care if someone tells me "Merry Christmas". How are they supposed to know that I don't celebrate it? Nothing to get worked up about. I think people just get offended (especially in America) because there are so many Christians here, that it just seems automatic to them to say "Merry Christmas", you know?

However, I still use "Happy Holidays" because it's such a universal saying. But, if I know the person well and I know what they celebrate, then I will say, "Happy [insert holiday here]". My opinion is why should people get mad if they themselves are living in a country where their religion/holiday is not practiced as the majority, and yet they can't realize that and get mad over someone saying "Merry Christmas"?

Oh and... Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas...

[bijou]

I think the debate is asinine. Yes, Christmas from a religious standpoint is celebrated by Christians but the Christians complaining fail to realize how secular Christmas has become. So, what do they think they're accomplishing by insisting on Merry Christmas being used? Is this another form of proselytising? LMAO!

I'm Christian although I don't practice but even if I was, I wouldn't be offended. Either greeting is just fine with me.

[WHOngos144]

Most people I know are Christian, so I say Merry Christmas

[*StanleyThePanda*]

I think the debate is asinine. Yes, Christmas from a religious standpoint is celebrated by Christians but the Christians complaining fail to realize how secular Christmas has become. So, what do they think they're accomplishing by insisting on Merry Christmas being used? Is this another form of proselytising? LMAO!

I'm Christian although I don't practice but even if I was, I wouldn't be offended. Either greeting is just fine with me.

Amen!
yes, I am a Christian and also "pratice" it.....
and it doesnt offend me.
I also heard that the word "holiday" comes for "Holy day" so people saying "Happy Holidays" is like saying "happy holy days" or holy day.

Here's some quotes I found from some sites:
"People whose noses are bent out of shape by "Happy Holidays" can take comfort in the origin of the word "holiday." It was born early in the evolution of the English language. It came into Old English as halidaeg, or "holy day."

"I'm sure that there are many who would like to take the X out of Xmas and replace it with the proper word, Christmas. But, as is indicated in the Encyclopedia Britannica, the X in Xmas does not come from our English alphabet. Rather, it is the Greek letter that looks like the English X but is pronounced "Chi". It has been, for several centuries, a symbol for the word "Christos," the Greek word for Christ.

In other words, Xmas should be pronounced Christmas.

Oh, and by the way, the word "holiday" comes from the words "holy day." So, if someone had wished you a "happy holiday" many years ago, he/she would be saying, "Have a happy holy day." The term has, of course, been somewhat secularized but, nevertheless, it has a religious foundation."

"The word holiday has related but different meanings in English-speaking countries. Based on the Old English words holy and day (halig dæg), holidays originally represented special religious days. The word has evolved in general usage to mean any special day."

So yeah, people are silly.....especially during Christmas.

[demolished]

Only idiots complain against those two terms. I'm sorry.

If you accept different cultures, you should be able to accept different religons or greetings.

If you dont accept different culture, you're racist.

[itsnever4ever]

you say merry christmas on christmas. you say happy holidays in general and you say happy new year on new years.

[laylaivi]

you say "merry christmas" because, that is what christmas is all about christ.but if you say "happy HOLIdays" thats like saying holy.i don't think it makes much difference and in stores and stuff you should be able to say merry christmas.i dont think merry christ or happy holidays should really be that big of a problem i say happy holidays and merry christmas.but,its not all christians who are making the problem its everyone else to why do people care so much about not saying merry christ?and actually the reason this all started because non-christians didn't want merry christmas to be said.so there are some protests aled by non-christians.

[ComradeRed]

As I returned from Chicago, I told the bus driver in a Jewish neighborhood "Happy holidays". It was only December 8th, so I figured Christmas was still a long ways off; but it still seemed awkward.

[faded23]

christmas isn't only for "christians" A lot of people celebrate christmas as giving gifts and some people celebrate christmas for the birth of their savior

[bijou]

Oh, and by the way, the word "holiday" comes from the words "holy day." So, if someone had wished you a "happy holiday" many years ago, he/she would be saying, "Have a happy holy day." The term has, of course, been somewhat secularized but, nevertheless, it has a religious foundation."

"The word holiday has related but different meanings in English-speaking countries. Based on the Old English words holy and day (halig dæg), holidays originally represented special religious days. The word has evolved in general usage to mean any special day."

So yeah, people are silly.....especially during Christmas.

The origin of the word makes it all the more silly. People need to relax and ENJOY the holidays! Oops, must have offended someone.

[demolished]

you say "merry christmas" because, that is what christmas is all about christ.but if you say "happy HOLIdays" thats like saying holy.i don't think it makes much difference and in stores and stuff you should be able to  say merry christmas.i  dont think merry christ or happy holidays should really be that big of a problem i say happy holidays and merry christmas.but,its not all christians who are making the problem its everyone else to why do people care so much about not saying merry christ?and actually the reason this all started because non-christians didn't want merry christmas to be said.so there are some protests aled by non-christians.

This is modern. This is the new world, not old world. Screw "holy". Look for current meaning.

Back then ... Greek people was naked in front of everyone and it didnt matter. How about now?

[*StanleyThePanda*]

The origin of the word makes it all the more silly. People need to relax and ENJOY the holidays! Oops, must have offended someone. 

Oh, I dont mind, I was just saying. I do enjoy it and relax...I really dont care what people say

[omgah_itsmaggiex]

yea, its not a big deal.  i dont care, i would use merry christmas anyways, even if ppl did feel offened.

wait, you dont think its a big deal? i myself was a christian until a few years back and having people come up to me telling me, "merry christmas" DOES offend me. not everyone celebrates christmas. not everyone is christian. its like saying, "oh, its jesus' birthday. lets celebrate!" when clearly there are many people who dont even believe in god.



furthermore, it just bothers me how christmas is only one day, and it still remains the biggest holiday year round.

[Chii]

furthermore, it just bothers me how christmas is only one day, and it still remains the biggest holiday year round.

just because other holidays like hanukkah are a few days long doesn't mean that they have this big hullabaloo of a celebration. i'm seeing a jewish guy, he's quite religious and all he does is see his family the first day of hanukkah and then just lights candles as the days pass (i'm not sure if that's all he does but i know he really doesn't do much).

i don't mean to offend other holidays but if i'm not mistaken, most of the world celebrates christmas. only a tiny percentage of the world is jewish. almost half live in the united states and that's only about 2% of the united states. and even less people celebrate kwanzaa.

so it's kind of no surprise that christmas is so widely commercialized.


i think it's ridiculous that people make such a big deal over something so stupid. sure most people celebrate christmas but not everyone. those people should really get over it, this is just unnecessary drama.

[f4113n]

HAPPY CHRISTMAHANUKWANZICA~!!

[abstracted]

HAPPY CHRISTMAHANUKWANZICA~!!

You forgot New Year. How horrible of you.
^_^

Christmas is not only a holiday. It has become a part of the culture, particularly in the US. When people say 'Merry Christmas' now, it most nearly means Happy Holidays. Christmas is so widely celebrated that people just say Merry Christmas. On television, all you see are products commercialized for CHRISTMAS, with Christmas songs and such. I'm not saying that this is the better holiday or anything--it's just what's common.
I don't celebrate Christmas, but since I know so many people that do, I follow along with a few of the traditions, like sending out Christmas cards, putting up a tree, and giving/receiving presents. It's for the sake of tradition/culture, not because of the holiday. Yes, people celebrate it for what it really is, but because Christmas is so big, even those who normally wouldn't celebrate it do, because it's a part of the culture.
The same goes with 'Merry Christmas'. It's just a way of saying 'Happy Holidays'.
If you're Hindu, say, you don't celebrate any of those three holidays of December. So, when a friend who does celebrate Christmas hands you a gift with Christmas wrapping and a Christmas card, are you going to tell him or her that you're offended by the Christmas gift?

Now, what I really don't get is when people get offended about Christmas trees, and they ask people to call them 'holiday trees'.
This is ridiculous. The tree is a Christmas tradition, not for Kwanzaa. It doesn't matter what you celebrate--if you put up a tree, it's a Christmas tree because that's what it IS.

I hope I made some sort of sense. o.O

[vash1530]

no its an xmas tree!

[imm]

Merry Christmas shouldn't be offensive to non-Christians OR Christians. Christmas is a national holiday, even though not all of us celebrate it, therefore saying "Merry Christmas" should just be generally accepted. Christmas IS important, considering 40% of the United States is Christian, and that our country was founded on the basis of Christianity (even though all of this is changing). As for Christians making a big deal out of saying "Merry Christmas," I wasn't aware of that. I think it's mostly just the people here that are taking political correctness too far.

[The_AZN_Godfathe...]

I was always somewhat worried if I would offend someone by saying "Merry Christmas."

So I started saying "Merry Chrismahanukwanzaaca" which got somewhat tiring. It didn't even cover everything, and I realized "Happy Holidays" is the way to go.

If I'm sure someone is Christian, I usually just say "Merry Christmas."

"Happy Holidays" is basically the safe way to go.

"Christmas" is so common in America nowadays, so most people shouldn't really care if you say one or the other.

[*disco infiltrator*]

Yea, I go the way of "Happy general winter". Covers atheists, too.

[vash1530]

i think we should make xmas a national holiday so noone will b*tch.

[synthetic truths]

happy holidays works..theres always someone who gets offended over merry christmas...
smh
just to be safe...not to step on anyone's toes...i say happy holidays...
i steer away from religious drama.

[MFDOOM]

Holidays are tools that the dark forces use to keep the people of the globe in line. Fear the dark forces, or rise up against.

[WHOngos144]

Merry Christmas.

[imm]

i think we should make xmas a national holiday so noone will b*tch.

Lmao Christmas IS a national holiday...why do you think nobody has to work or go to school on the 25 December, hm?

[*mona lisa*]

Lmao Christmas IS a national holiday...why do you think nobody has to work or go to school on the 25 December, hm?

That is so because it is a federal holiday... or maybe both.

[stryker76]

The fact that everyone here in America makes a big fuss out of sayin Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas is the fact that America was founded on Christian believes. Although i do not agree with not a single one of them. They where thus everyone doesnt like it when ppl do no acknowledge Christmas.

Although i personally say both Happy Holidays to include New Years if i wont see that person again before then. Or before Thanksgiving becuase i consider November-the First of January the Holiday season until Easter in April and my Birth Day in June ^^

[stryker76]

okai first of all.. not all christians are always saying "merry christmas". They only make is a big deal b/c its the birth of Jesus Christ. and so on for the story of it.

Im Sorry to say that Christmas is only the Celebration od the Christ Child. Not his birthday. And here is a lil story i found on CB around Christmas time Last year.


The True Chrisatmas Story

Merry Christmas, boys and girls!
THIS is the story of Christmas and how it all began!
A long, long time ago, Germanic, Roman, and Celtic people celebrated the Winter Solstice. Once a year, they dressed their homes up with Holly, mistletoe, yule logs, and wassail bowls and even decorated a tree! Today, we call these people Pagans. The word "Yule-tide", meaning "wheel time" (the cycles of time) is a term that refers to these old Pagan celebrations.

During the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C.E., the Persian Mithras would sacrifice a bull on December 25 to celebrate the Sol Invictus (the Invincible Sun). The ceremony signaled the birth of a young Sun God who sprang from a rock or a cave in the form of a newborn infant.

The ancient Romans celebrated the festival of the Saturnalia from December 17th to the 24th to honor Saturn, the god of grain and agriculture. The festival consisted of a period of goodwill, devoted to visiting friends and the giving of gifts. Then, on December 25th, the Romans would celebrate the Winter Solstice in a ceremony of the annual renewing of the Sun.

On December 25th 354 C.E., Pope Liberus introduced the Nativity - a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. He chose December 25th in order to Christianize the Pagan rituals of the time. Thus, Pope Liberus began the custom of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and this celebration grew in popularity as the Pagan rituals of Mithra and Saturnalia that were formerly celebrated on the 25th of December slowly faded in popularity.

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with ornaments on trees, with mistletoe, and with the giving of gifts. And THAT, boys and girls, is the story of how the Christians stole the perfectly good Pagan holiday of the Winter Solstice, stuck it up the *** of a 300 year old dead guy named Jesus who probably wasn't even born on the 25th, and called it Christmas. Merry Christmas! The End.

[OriskybusinessO]

Im Sorry to say that Christmas is only the Celebration od the Christ Child. Not his birthday. And here is a lil story i found on CB around Christmas time Last year.
The True Chrisatmas Story

Merry Christmas, boys and girls!
THIS is the story of Christmas and how it all began!
A long, long time ago, Germanic, Roman, and Celtic people celebrated the Winter Solstice. Once a year, they dressed their homes up with Holly, mistletoe, yule logs, and wassail bowls and even decorated a tree! Today, we call these people Pagans. The word "Yule-tide", meaning "wheel time" (the cycles of time) is a term that refers to these old Pagan celebrations.

During the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C.E., the Persian Mithras would sacrifice a bull on December 25 to celebrate the Sol Invictus (the Invincible Sun). The ceremony signaled the birth of a young Sun God who sprang from a rock or a cave in the form of a newborn infant.

The ancient Romans celebrated the festival of the Saturnalia from December 17th to the 24th to honor Saturn, the god of grain and agriculture. The festival consisted of a period of goodwill, devoted to visiting friends and the giving of gifts. Then, on December 25th, the Romans would celebrate the Winter Solstice in a ceremony of the annual renewing of the Sun.

On December 25th 354 C.E., Pope Liberus introduced the Nativity - a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. He chose December 25th in order to Christianize the Pagan rituals of the time. Thus, Pope Liberus began the custom of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and this celebration grew in popularity as the Pagan rituals of Mithra and Saturnalia that were formerly celebrated on the 25th of December slowly faded in popularity.

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with ornaments on trees, with mistletoe, and with the giving of gifts. And THAT, boys and girls, is the story of how the Christians stole the perfectly good Pagan holiday of the Winter Solstice, stuck it up the *** of a 300 year old dead guy named Jesus who probably wasn't even born on the 25th, and called it Christmas. Merry Christmas! The End.

Hmm, I was sure 'America celebrates Christmas' because Christians were jealous that they didn't have a holiday to celebrate when the Jews had Hanukkah. But that just might be by my upbringing.

[*kryogenix*]

Hmm, I was sure 'America celebrates Christmas' because Christians were jealous that they didn't have a holiday to celebrate when the Jews had Hanukkah. But that just might be by my upbringing.

Actually, I learned that Hannukah was originally a minor holiday, but was boosted in importance so that Jewish kids wouldn't be left out.

Christmas has been the most important Catholic holiday for thousands of years now. So important in fact, that it was part of the reason why the Eastern Orthodox church split.

I don't agree with the whole "stolen from the pagans" theory. I don't think the catechism says anything about having to give gifts, hang up misteltoe, put up a tree, etc. People do that on the side, but it's not what Christmas is. Christmas is Christ's Mass.

In fact, giving gifts has some religious significance as the three kings came bearing gifts.

[stryker76]

Actually the Pagan part is very easy to understand because for one i have a cousin that practices Wicca. And they celebrate the Winter Solstice for 3 days during december the 23-25. The 25 beign the last day and the day in which the mojar ceremony take place. and like i said the Roman Catholic church wanted to take over the world and puch other religions to the curb so they mad December 25th the day in which to celebrate the Birth of the Christ Child.

[OriskybusinessO]

Actually, I learned that Hannukah was originally a minor holiday, but was boosted in importance so that Jewish kids wouldn't be left out.

Christmas has been the most important Catholic holiday for thousands of years now. So important in fact, that it was part of the reason why the Eastern Orthodox church split.

I don't agree with the whole "stolen from the pagans" theory. I don't think the catechism says anything about having to give gifts, hang up misteltoe, put up a tree, etc. People do that on the side, but it's not what Christmas is. Christmas is Christ's Mass.

In fact, giving gifts has some religious significance as the three kings came bearing gifts.

But it was still there...

I forgot what I was talking about. Oh no!! I'm not contributing to this debate!!

[s_parker_luver]

that's what my maths teacher said, "Merry christmas. okay. is there any student who doesn't want to hear this? *hands up* okay. i'll say happy holiday. becoz some students in my calculus class told me they don't like the hear the word christmas."
well. i personally think if Merry christmas is offensive to some people, why don't we just say happy holiday? in this way u won't offend anyone, right?

[sporadic]

but that offends uber-christians, it appears...
I think it's kind of silly to be offended by that sort of thing.
It's not like they're saying "HANUKKAH SUCKS!" Although if that truly offends them... whatever floats your boat.
And it's perhaps more ridiculous that people would be freaking out over "Happy holidays"... I read some letter in the opinion page saying basically that happy holidays was some how taking away christianity? Eh, whatever. Keep in mind, I live in North Dakota.

[OriskybusinessO]

People these days are so touchy, they need to lighten up and take it nicely when someone whishes you a Happy 'whatever.'

[maryissa]

I say Merry Christmas no matter what becuz thats what i celebrate.

[medic]

HAPPY CHRISTMAHANUKWANZICA~!! 

Virgin mobile got sued for millions over there Christmahanukwanzica 1-888 help line or w/a it was. I laughed when I read that in the times, that 1-888-ELP-POOP like was so stupid. The gay elf, and the Jew's, it made the people are Virgin Mobile look like dumasses, which they are.

That was not a bash on you, sorry. Just my view on the whole Christmahanukwanzica deal.....