Posted on 12/12/2003 6:29:05 AM PST by Clive
It's that time of year again when everyone is made to feel guilty for uttering that offensive phrase "Merry Christmas."
The politically correct stay on patrol to ensure that Canadians who do not celebrate Christmas are not offended by threatening utterances like Merry Christmas. We are supposed to offer season greetings or happy holidays instead, bah humbug!
My wife and I don't decorate a winter tree and we don't make seasonal cake. We decorate our Christmas tree and bake Christmas cake as part of the ritual that celebrates the birth of Christ (and the receipt by me of presents, lots and lots of presents).
Speaking of my wife, she insists on sending Christmas cards that, wait for it, wish their recipient a Merry Christmas. Finding a box of cards that wish a Merry Christmas rather than "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" is harder than finding a parking spot at a mall in December.
Renaming Christmas probably causes me to ice over more than any other politically correct song and dance we are expected to do these days.
Unlike countries that do not uphold religious freedom, Canadians are not forced to practise a religion. Canada is a country where we accept different beliefs with tolerance. Forcing those who celebrate Christmas to be politically correct is not tolerant.
Canadians are not offended the rest of the year when they reap the rewards of living in a free and democratic society founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Why would they be offended when these principles are celebrated at the end of every year?
It is the tolerance of Canada's Judeo-Christian foundation that resulted in a society where all religions are encouraged to practise their religion harmoniously and we are free to choose which religion, if any, to follow.
Is anyone fooled by the charade that is Christmas political correctness? Is this conversation taking place across the nation: "Oh look honey, the Smiths sent us a Holiday Card. They must have arbitrarily decided this would be a nice time of year to holiday and assumed we, too,would choose to holiday at the end of December. I wonder if they are going to celebrate anything special while they holiday, or if they are just going to chop a tree out of the ground and let it die in their living room over the next few weeks for no apparent reason?"
Are there Canadians who, come Christmas, are shocked to find out millions of people living around them are Christian? Would they be more concerned to find out that every Sunday these people sneak out of their homes to attend meetings together?
The Christian celebration of Christmas should not offend Canadians of other cultures and religions, nor should other cultures be forced to cave to political correctness for fear their celebrations offend Christians.
Take Hanukkah, the Jewish celebration of the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple.
Hanukkah lasts eight days from Dec. 20 through 28 in commemoration of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Other than the fact my Jewish friends often receive gifts for eight straight days, nothing offends me about their celebration.
Rather than offering some diluted salutation because you are worried wishing someone a Merry Christmas may offend them, take a moment to find out what they do celebrate and wish them a happy one.
If you see me on the street or in the mall, feel free to wish me a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, I won't be offended. And by the way, Merry Christmas.
LOL. Soooo true. I spend as much time searching for Christmas cards with Christmas greetings as I do for gifts. Sometimes more. When I do find a box, I often buy 2 if I can. And sometimes cards with Nativity scenes wish the recipient a 'happy season' or the spirit of the season or just greetings. If you can find a Nativity scene at all. Now, Christmas is a day and a season, but happy season with no reference to Christmas? Aaaargh. And wait there's more - I live in a predominantly Christian/Catholic town. Even from religious people or associations I am acquainted with, I will receive a completely secular, bland seasonal greeting card with a non-descript happy scene or snowman on the front. Lucky if it says Happy Holidays. Aaaaargh, again.
By the way, let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!
Canadians are not offended the rest of the year when they reap the rewards of living in a free and democratic society founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Why would they be offended when these principles are celebrated at the end of every year?
It is the tolerance of Canada's Judeo-Christian foundation that resulted in a society where all religions are encouraged to practise their religion harmoniously and we are free to choose which religion, if any, to follow.
The un-PC truth, right there in those statements. Merry Christmas!
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