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.
I had forgotten about that....somewhere at home I have a Christmas card that had been sent to me by a Muslim.
Should you add automatically speaking in English to other people without first checking their language skills to the list of grievances?
-PJ
The problem for the lady who told Mike that she preferred a “happy holidays” greeting is that those who are celebrating the Christmas season are tired of being told that they can’t say “Merry Christmas.” It would be as if you lived in a highly PC Israel, and felt pressured to say only “happy holidays” during the Jewish holidays which overlap with the holidays of other religions for fear of offending the minority Christian or Muslim population. For example, what if you felt PC social pressure not to say “chag Pesach sameach,” just “chag sameach” since Easter might be occurring at the same time?
No grounds for this kind of complaining.
Merry Christmas to you and to yours.
I’ll also wish you a Happy Hannukah.
If you get offended by my sentiments for your happiness then that is your misfortune.
- Megan
Christmas is the holiday. Hannucka is a minor holiday elevated up so jewish kids don’t feel left out. Kwanza is made up.
And the Buddhists and Hindus don’t have to play, or can go home and enjoy all the blessings of China and India.
So Merry Christmas.
Snowflakes here and snowflakes there, snowflakes everywhere.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
It's a frikkin' blizzard!
For a good non-Christian take on this, you may want to read DENNIS PRAGER ON SAYING "MERRY CHRISTMAS".
If someone says Merry Christmas to me, I say Merry Christmas back.
If someone says have a good year to me on Rosh Hashanah, I say thank you and same to you.
If someone says Happy Festivus to me, I say Happy Festivus to you.
If someone says Allahu Akbar to me, I try to get out of the blast radius as quickly as possible.
This thread is entertaining, but I never thought I would see the day on here with a post like that.
One would think that after all these replies one would just shut up and stop being offended over nothing.
I have had Jews celebrate Christmas with me. I have had people wish me other holidays which were not mine, and I smile and say same to you.
I;m not offended, except by little snowflakes.
In essence, I am offended by you being offended.
When somebody greets me in a way that they find preferable and I do not, I simply say “thank you” because I’m not a jerk.
Ever notice how Christians don’t screw around and try to ruin it when Jewish communities celebrate Yom Kippur or Passover?
You should try doing that for Christmas.
I want to be on the air to say some important things like, “Why hasn’t the media covered the HUGE cost overruns on the Air Force One planes while Obama is President?”
The people who yelled that you “killed J.C.” obviously don’t have a clear grasp of time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Holidays like New Years and Hanukkah are in close proximity but at this time of the “holidays” it’s a celebration of Christs’ birth not the birth of a holiday......once again MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
The airing of grievances has begun early this year. I am now preparing for the feats of strength. :)
“My parents raised me to take such greetings as a compliment because people were being kind enough to say such nice things.”
Exactly. You mean you weren’t taught that they were culturally insensitive?
Correct me if I am wrong, but E, this time of year *is* approaching Christmas. Christians have been muzzled in recent years in the USA of all places and we’re sick of it.
Our country has deeply Christian religious Tradition, founded by Christians. WE were raised hearing “sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt me”.
Forget about it.
Remember when Glenn Beck was somewhat fun with his “Have a ramahanakwanzmas”?
Or his Christmas songs made spooky?
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