Posted on 11/22/2005 3:18:10 PM PST by churchillbuff
If you're expecting a hearty "Merry Christmas" as you're doing your shopping; you might be disappointed.
Usual holiday ads say things like Christmas, but you might want get used to hearing and seeing the term holiday. Because some stores are cutting Christmas out and putting a generic phrase in.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but don't expect to hear someone say it.
"I love Christmas, so I don't mind," says Rebecca Reyes.
Wal-mart is one of many stores asking its employees to replace Christmas with "Happy Holidays". The company says its trying not to offend anyone, by catering to one kind of celebration. However, some say it makes the season generic.
"I really don't care what people say to me. Merry Christmas, Merry Xmas, it's all the same," says Lorenzo Maxwell.
Other people want to boycott stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales where they also say the same, cutting out Christmas and Hanukkah from sayings and banners.
"I think Happy Hanukkah is appropriate, if your gonna say Merry Christmas say Happy Hanukkah as well," says Diane Sandy.
"That its so generic, not gonna offend anyone by saying Happy Holidays," says El Pasoan Eric Morales.
Rabbi Stephen Leon says he personally isn't offended by Merry Christmas, but believes corporations are just trying to please everyone, "one thing I've learned in life is you can't please everyone."
Some think the generic phrase is taking it too far and want to keep the season traditional and simple.
"I'm still gonna say it, that's my basis, don't think we should sweep it under the rug," Sandy says.
"Trying to ban everything, so I think they just leave as is," says Reyes.
The Catholic League for Religous and Civil rights had wanted a boycott against Wal-mart saying the store discriminated against Christmas. But called it off after the store apologized.
But have you ever got "happy long weekend!" greeting?
One way to make a statement is to do just that...Christians should put up Nativity scenes outdoors where they can witness to the celebration of our Savior's birth. Does your Christian church put up a Nativity scene? Why should Walmart recognize Christmas when our churches are having "holiday" programs now?
>>>When the 25th is over, the music stops, and "Happy Holidays" is no longer said
And neither is Merry Christmas. All these Christians offended by not hearing Merry Christmas during Advent that don't even acknowledge that Christmas extends into Epiphany.
You ARE kidding, right? I mean, I think it's awful that store staff aren't allowed to say Merry Christmas, but really, is it as bad as women being throw into rape rooms and woman having lipstick scraped off with razor blades?
Bingo
A clerk saying 'Happy Holiday' is one thing. I don't find that too offensive.
But the store better have the 'Merry Christmas' banners flying.
One of our malls had the lighting of the 'Tree of Lights' last weekend. Now that pi$$ed me off.
Tell them "Happy Winter Solstice"
odd.. whenever someone wished me happy holidays, i've always thought it meant Christmas eve/ day, new years eve/ day. that four holidays, four days off work, etc.
Why can't we do it this way?
I say "Merry Christmas" and you can say, "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Hannukah" or even "Merry Christmas" or nothing and neither of us takes offense.
That's the trouble with these atheists - they want it their way or nothing even though they are in the quite distinct MINORITY. Not long ago I heard some atheist babe on the radio after - this part is hard to believe - a judicial ruling hadn't gone their way. "Where is an atheist supposed to go for justice?!" she demanded.
You know what, beeyatch, the rest of us don't care if you ever get "justice". Because your "justice" is at the expense of the MAJORITY.
You see the difference is we don't force you to go to church, pray etc. but you want to force us to stop doing those things.
Atheists are consumed by guilt/rage that they don't have faith and so are determined that no one who does have should draw strength, comfort from their faith.
It's typical lib reaction - spiritual class envy if you will. If I don't have it, you're not going to either. Instead of aspiring to more, they want everyone to be equally miserable.
I just say "Merry Christmas" to the store clerks, to the Human Resources people who greet us at our company's "winter holiday season" party and wherever else I can. I won't let ANYONE wreck my Christmas spirit.
Can't stand Starbucks Coffee or Old Navy clothing anyway, so they'll never see my dollars. There's better coffee for less money out there, and I personally don't wear jeans for anything except doing dirty jobs around home.
I'm proud to say I have never been in a Starbucks.
Dunkin' Donuts has the best coffee in my neighborhood, and for 1/5 the price.
"Why do so some Christians find it offensive to welcome other groups as well"
It has nothing to do with "welcoming other groups". It is the cleansing of Christianity completely from our society. They are kowtowing to litigious athiests. No religious group that I've ever heard of had any problem with Christmas, it's the Newdows of this country bitching and filing lawsuits. Atheism is a religion, and is fast becoming our state religion
I was raised in a very conservative Church of Christ, and they did not observe Christmas. We had a Christmas tree at home and gave presents, but I was always taught that the celebration of Christmas was one instituted by man, not God, and there was no observance at church. I know there are other churches that don't observe Christmas either. So, yes there are religous groups that have a problem with Christmas, they just don't make a lot of noise about it.
"So, yes there are religous groups that have a problem with Christmas, they just don't make a lot of noise about it"
Precisely what I'm talking about. You didn't try to force your beliefs on others. No doubt Christmas has been commercialized beyond belief, but to completely take Christ out of it is ridiculous. What is it coming to? Worshipping the tree?
Why is it such a big deal? Because for many years the ACLU and other organizations have been attacking our traditions. The happy holiday is Christmas. I want to hear people say it to me or they are not getting my money.
For the life of me, I cannot understand why this bothers anyone. This time of year is not strictly for Christians so unless you walk around with a crucifix stapled to your forehead or a yarmulke on your head, how is anyone supposed to know what is the right thing to say? Happy Holidays says both. Get the hell over it already.
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