Posted on 12/06/2016 9:47:49 AM PST by EinNYC
The talk show host Mike Gallagher is currently discussing how outraged he was when a woman corrected his "Merry Christmas" greeting to her, telling him she "would prefer a 'Happy Holidays' greeting". I also prefer a "Happy Holidays" greeting because his original greeting would not be appropriate to me. I called the show to tell the call screener this (I NEVER call in to radio shows!). I was very respectful and told the call screener that I didn't even need to go on the air, but just wanted to get my opinion across. She took my name. As soon as I said I didn't even need to go on the air, I just wanted him to be aware of my opinion, I heard the phone on her end hung up without a single word. I couldn't believe it.
Meanwhile, Gallagher and a lot of his callers are saying that they feel they should say "Merry Christmas" to everyone and the heck with what the other party thinks. I think that is outrageously ethnocentric, sorry. This is a nation of nations and other peoples' peaceful beliefs should be respected. If you KNOW that the other person is a Jew, you should not wish them a happy [holiday that is not part of their religion]. Might as well tell a Buddhist or a Sikh "Merry Christmas". It would have as much meaning. I also feel that it is a subtle call to conform to the majority.
I'm sure that many years of blatant antisemitism toward me somewhat colors my attitude. In the public schools I attended as a child in the Midwest, I was publicly singled out by the teacher for not singing carols along with the other students in December music classes, and given a negative behavioral notation. I had other students scream at me in December and April that "you killed J.C.!" That was as predictable as the swallows returning to Capistrano. There was a huge push to conform and observe the rituals of Christianity. Judaism or simply being different was not given any consideration.
I do not want to be lumped into one big group. I do not want to have to duck under "The Great Leveler" rather than stick out. Never have, never will.
I have even less respect for Mike Gallagher and his staff now than I even did before.
Today, I had a wonderful exchange with another woman. We were both getting out of our cars at the same time. I gave her a big smile, she smiled back at me, and then stopped and said, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” I said MERRY CHRISTMAS back to her and added , wow, that felt great, I just don’t care anymore, and she said, isnt t it great to be a DEPLORABLE! We then hugged and went our separate ways! A true moment of feeling free!
ReallY?? You say you are a Christian yet you HATE Christians??
I ignore Chr*stm*s every year but think nothing of it when someone says ‘Merry Chr*stm*s’ to me...I understand their intent.
However....I don't mind that others like it and will return a “Merry Christmas” if it is offered to me.
I do the same.
I pity you....you hate the BEST time of the year. It can be sad for people that are sad, but it’s a time of celebration.
Me saying “Merry Christmas” to you should not offend you.
If it does, ask yourself why.
Are you offended because you think I’m presuming you are a fellow Christian when you’re not? So what?
Why would that offend you, unless there is something about Christianity you find offensive?
In which case, perhaps I’m the one who should be offended.
If you act offended by my wishing you “Merry Christmas”, I would find that rude and insulting, since I just sincerely wished you well and you offered me your scorn in return.
Try returning a well intended Merry Christmas with a well intended holiday wish of your own choosing.
My many Jewish friends, who are not as rude and unpleasant as you, answer my Merry Christmas (which I admit is fairly automatic) with one of the following:
“And a Merry Christmas to you as well!”
“And a Happy Chanukah to you!”
“And Happy Holiday to you!”
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