I'm Offended That You Are Offended!

[yomotalking]

Why are there so many Christmas Threads up these days?

[Guest shiloh357]

The issue is NOT being wished "Happy Holidays." It is telling people in certain situations that they cannot wish someone a "Merry Christmas." It is when an employer tells his Christian employees that they cannot wish a customer "Merry Christmas"...

Understood. Forgive me for not seeing it as an infringement on our rights.

But it is an infringement. First we saw this taking place on government property where religious rights should be the MOST protected. The safest place for us to pray, to acknowledge God SHOULD be on government property. But it isn't. Now we are seeing the enevitable shift that most of knew would take place. We are seeing the "anti-God" crowd take their business into the private sector, and impose it here. Now, some businesses are telling Christians they cannot have a Bible on their desk, cannot have anything in their office that communicates that they are a Christian. Taken by itself, this issue may not seem like much, but when you examine this in light of every other attempt to rid God from our society, it is part of a bigger plan.

ANY public acknowledgement? Perhaps, but I am unconvinced at this point. What we are moving away from (and discussing in this thread) is private entities not allowing recognition of a specific holiday on their property. If they feel it is damaging to their business ( and I agree with you that it is likely not ) then what is it to me if they ask that their employees to greet customers with a "Happy Holidays"? It is their property and business

Which is not the same as allowing or disallowing something in one's own home. Businesses depend on Christmas sales for a good bottom line. No other holiday has any impact on the overall sales of the retail industry. It is foolish to insult those who you want as patrons to your store. In a country where over 90% of the population celebrates Christmas, and the large portion of them are Christians, it is a silly policy to adopt.

QUOTE(shiloh357 @ Dec 5 2005, 11:43 AM)

No it is not a war of terms. The "all inclusive" arguement is a lie. We are fed the excuse that "Happy Holidays" is meant to be "all inclusive." That is simply false. The complaint was not that people are being wished "Happy Hanukkah." The complaint is not that people were openly expressing "Kwanzaa." The complaint is leveled squarely at the expression "Merry Christmas." The complaint is that it alienates or "offends" those of other religions if they are wished "Merry Christmas" in a convenience store or fast food joint. Therefore, to satisfy this silly, baseless complaint, more and more retailers and others are resorting to not allowing their Christian employees to say "Merry Christmas."

This does more to prove my point than yours. If retailers begin wishing a "Happy Holidays" instead of a "Merry Christmas" that does offer inclusion to all. To wish a "Merry Christmas" does not. That we weren't being wished a "Happy Hanukkah" or Kwanzaa before does not prove that it is an anti Christian move.

Except that when you examine this policy in light of the complaints, it is only because of Christmas that it is being adopted. Merry Christmas does not exclude anyone. "Exclusion" cannot be demonstrated. It does not exclude since they have no holiday at this time, it does not exclude Jewish people because they are not the primary plaintiffs. In fact, some secular Jews celebrate Christmas albeit on a secular level. It does not exclude those who celebrate Kwanzaa, since many who celebrate Kwanzaa also celebrate Christmas seeing that Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26

I'll quit here. I don't want to make this an argument. I love you brother and hope you have a wonderfully merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you as well!!!

[traveller]

Why are there so many Christmas Threads up these days?

Because it's close to Christmas!

[irishcowboy]

Keith,

While I agree that you have the right to celebrate Jesus any way you want to, it's hard for me to get worked up over a myth.

This is like being a christian politician imo.

It's just not true that He was born on that date. Nor is it true that the magi were there at the manger and camels gathered around. It makes a nice story though.

I prefer saving my battles for things that are absolutely true. Yes, He was born and the angels proclaimed "Shalom on Earth...goodwill towards men" but I couldn't care less about defending the cultural christian tradition known as Christmas.

Do we really expect pagans to understand?

The only way to win that battle is to make more christians than there are non-christians. I'm all for that!!!

Not trying to be antagonistic though brother. Just offering another perspective on the whole "I'm gonna fight society in the name of Jesus" battle.

my feelings also....

i heard a statistic from a Christian group the other day that was saying that only about 7 % (sevin) of the people in Australia are professed Christian.... I would truely hope that was incorrect.... for we all know that just cause a persons says they are a Christian dont make it so...

mike

PS: every day is Christmas, a celebration for Christ.....

[ann2]

I have had occasion to speak to a lot of people over the phone here lately{companies and such}and all have said"happy Holidays" i reply Merry Christmass.One lady i said it to today ---there was about a half min. silence then she said ---thank you ,i could tell she was glad i said Merry Christmass.Every time one says Happy Holidays i will say Merry Christmass.Next time look them in the eyes ,you just might see a twinkle.