If you don't know the religious beliefs of the person you are talking to, I don't see that assuming they are a Christian is the most polite thing. A pagan friend loves people saying "Merry Christmas" to him, since we're all celebrating what is a pagan holiday at its roots anyway.
I, as an atheist, simply don't care to be offended. I know the positive intent behind a simple "Merry Christmas" or "Have a blessed day" and take it at that. I'd have to be a world-class a$$h0le to respond with "How dare you say Merry Christmas to me. I am not a Christian!"
A pagan friend loves people saying "Merry Christmas" to him, since we're all celebrating what is a pagan holiday at its roots anyway. I, as an atheist, simply don't care to be offended. I know the positive intent behind a simple "Merry Christmas" or "Have a blessed day" and take it at that. I'd have to be a world-class a$$h0le to respond with "How dare you say Merry Christmas to me. I am not a Christian!"
I completely agree with this. As an athiest, when someone tells me "Bless You," I look upon it as if a fellow athiest tells me "Good Luck." Same with Merry Christmas - and actually, even as an athiest, I do celebrate Christmas in a secular gift-giving, tree-decorating sort of way. But you are certainly correct, you would have to be a world-class a$$h0le to respond with "How dare you say Merry Christmas to me.
Now, can I turn that around? Wouldn't someone have to also be a world-class a$$h0le to respond with "How dare you say Happy Holidays to me?"