Agreed. Hence my “Happy Holidays.” We’re just sharing our joys in a different way!

cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 2:09 PM

Thank You.
And as you mentioned that you are Christian,
A Very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

PS Pray for snow. Just adds to the joy.

I am a positive thinking type. As such, I believe that sharing our joys and happiness is important.
If not shared, it will be lost.

Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 1:51 PM

Agreed. Hence my “Happy Holidays.” We’re just sharing our joys in a different way!

I see it as a bit presumptuous, as if I’m proclaiming them to be a member of my “team” whether or not they would want to be.

cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 1:39 PM

This thread is about to go off the list so it is late for my comment.
It is too bad you feel this way.
I am a positive thinking type. As such, I believe that sharing our joys and happiness is important.
If not shared, it will be lost.

Personally, I would be, and have been, flattered when someone of another religion or faith “includes” me when wishing me well on one of their special days. nIt is NOT offensive.
Your neutral positioning is an insult to your friends.
Let them wish you happiness. THAT WOULD BE INCLUSION.

Jabberwock on December 4, 2012 at 1:26 PM

I understand your point and I’m certainly not offended if a friend who knows I’m a Christian wishes me a happy Hanukkah, for example, because in that situation I would know it’s meant inclusively. However, with strangers, I see it as a bit presumptuous, as if I’m proclaiming them to be a member of my “team” whether or not they would want to be.

But other times I can’t tell, so why risk unnecessary offense when I can wish generalized happiness instead?

cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 1:20 PM

What risk. You have been taught, incorrectly, that it is offensive to wish someone Merry Christmas.
Personally, I would be, and have been, flattered when someone of another religion or faith “includes” me when wishing me well on one of their special days. nIt is NOT offensive.
Your neutral positioning is an insult to your friends.
Let them wish you happiness. THAT WOULD BE INCLUSION.

Why deliberately exclude my friends and neighbors when inclusion is possible?

cam2 on December 4, 2012 at 12:40 PM

Fair point and I applaud your sensitivity. But,
To include your friends, you have excluded the fundamental reason for what you are including your friends in.
Should we not call it Memorial Day, in respect for the Germans, Italian and Japanese that have since moved here ?

My point is that there is a darn good and historic reason the western culture takes a moment to celebrate at this time of year.
I get upset when people try to remove the reason.

Do you know who is Jewish, who is Hindu, etc.? If you do, specifying their holiday is more heartfelt and I’m sure it would be just as heartfelt hearing the words Merry Christmas from a Jew or a Hindu. And “Christmas” is a catch-all secular season in America from Thanksgiving to Christmas day that everyone is welcome to.

thebrokenrattle on December 4, 2012 at 12:50 PM

Sometimes I know or can tell. If am man is wearing a yarmulke or sidelocks, or a white woman is wearing modest dress and a head covering, I can tell he/she is Jewish. A woman with a bindi or sari is Hindu, etc. But other times I can’t tell, so why risk unnecessary offense when I can wish generalized happiness instead?

The reason for presents is giving, not receiving, as the true gift of Christmas was Christ, who gave his message and his life to redeem mankind from their sins, should they accept the bargain

Holiday means Holy-Day, because the birth of the Redeemer is a Holy event

What the Governor needs is an unholiday (unholy day). If they want a tree to symbolize that day, how about using a cross of wood instead, symbolizing the first attempt to remove the Christ from the public square