Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays

[Burleson 2]

As all of you (especially in America) may know, whether or not you want to acknowledge it, Christmas is under attack. It's in our stores, in our schools, even in fire stations.
Only 5% of Americans are offended by the saying "Merry Christmas", and because of that meager 5% of Americans who are offended in any way by Christmas, the rest of us have to forgo acknowledging the birth of the man responsible for the "holiday season". Let's face it, none of the other holidays would be mentioned any more than Yom Kippur if it weren't for Christmas. All the stores have what are obviously Christmas decorations set up. Why not call this season and those decorations what they are, the Christmas season and Christmas decorations. Leaving Christ out of our society has no benefit for anyone. In the process of trying to avoid offending people by saying Merry Christmas, 32% of the country has been offended by the term "Happy holidays". As Ronald Reagan said, "The time has come to turn back to God and reassert our trust in him..." It's time to stop worrying about being sensitive to a rare few, and worry about honoring God in the way he deserves to be.

One final message: Merry Christmas to all of NS

[Fortschritte]

It always pesters me when fundamentalists like the OP develop a persecution complex over the holidays. This complex completely ignores the existence of other holiday festivities celebrated by other cultures. To say "Happy Holidays" doesn't exclude Christmas, it merely includes it with other winter holidays, such as Hanukkah. Happy Holidays is a inclusive phrase that should be used in public places, or when dealing with people of other beliefs. It's as simple as that, and it's not undermining Christianity in the US.

[Tyrinth]

I'm not even religious, and to me all of this, "Oh, you can't say Christmas! It's, 'Happy holidays,'" stuff is just ridiculous.

Acknowledging Christmas does not mean disregarding the other holidays. They can all exist in harmony.

[Bezkoshtovnya]

As all of you (especially in America) may know, whether or not you want to acknowledge it, Christmas is under attack. It's in our stores, in our schools, even in fire stations.
Only 5% of Americans are offended by the saying "Merry Christmas", and because of that meager 5% of Americans who are offended in any way by Christmas, the rest of us have to forgo acknowledging the birth of the man responsible for the "holiday season". Let's face it, none of the other holidays would be mentioned any more than Yom Kippur if it weren't for Christmas. All the stores have what are obviously Christmas decorations set up. Why not call this season and those decorations what they are, the Christmas season and Christmas decorations. Leaving Christ out of our society has no benefit for anyone. As Ronald Reagan said, "The time has come to turn back to God and reassert our trust in him..." It's time to stop worrying about being sensitive to a rare few, and worry about honoring God in the way he deserves to be.

One final message: Merry Christmas to all of NS

Or for the love of butter it isn't under attack. Saying happy holidays it not some sort of evil liberal plot against Christmas, it is just a way of acknowledging the other holidays celebrated around the same time. That's it.

It is something you say to a stranger to be polite and not risk saying "Merry Christmas" or Happy Hanukkah" to someone that does not celebrate it.

[Fortschritte]

I'm not even religious, and to me all of this, "Oh, you can't say Christmas! It's, 'Happy holidays,'" stuff is just ridiculous.

Acknowledging Christmas does not mean disregarding the other holidays. They can all exist in harmony.

Nothing is wrong with acknowledging Christmas. But, in some cases, Happy Holidays is more appropriate. Let's say a mall is putting up a holiday themed banner. Why call it a "Christmas Banner", if it excludes other holiday beliefs. Happy Holidays acknowledges them all, and is most inclusive.

[The Huskar Social Union]

As all of you (especially in America) may know, whether or not you want to acknowledge it, Christmas is under attack. It's in our stores, in our schools, even in fire stations.
Only 5% of Americans are offended by the saying "Merry Christmas", and because of that meager 5% of Americans who are offended in any way by Christmas, the rest of us have to forgo acknowledging the birth of the man responsible for the "holiday season". Let's face it, none of the other holidays would be mentioned any more than Yom Kippur if it weren't for Christmas. All the stores have what are obviously Christmas decorations set up. Why not call this season and those decorations what they are, the Christmas season and Christmas decorations. Leaving Christ out of our society has no benefit for anyone. As Ronald Reagan said, "The time has come to turn back to God and reassert our trust in him..." It's time to stop worrying about being sensitive to a rare few, and worry about honoring God in the way he deserves to be.

One final message: Merry Christmas to all of NS

Or for the love of butter it isn't under attack. Saying happy holidays it not some sort of evil liberal plot against Christmas, it is just a way of acknowledging the other holidays celebrated around the same time. That's it.

It is something you say to a stranger to be polite and not risk saying "Merry Christmas" or Happy Hanukkah" to someone that does not celebrate it.

This, really.

[Tyrinth]

I'm not even religious, and to me all of this, "Oh, you can't say Christmas! It's, 'Happy holidays,'" stuff is just ridiculous.

Acknowledging Christmas does not mean disregarding the other holidays. They can all exist in harmony.

Nothing is wrong with acknowledging Christmas. But, in some cases, Happy Holidays is more appropriate. Let's say a mall is putting up a holiday themed banner. Why call it a "Christmas Banner", if it excludes other holiday beliefs. Happy Holidays acknowledges them all, and is most inclusive.

Nothing wrong with that if they so choose. The problem arises from the political correctness crowd who want to force the happy holidays greeting. If they want it to be a Christmas banner, I see no problem with it being a Christmas banner.

Same goes for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. Celebrate what you want, call it what you want. That's my opinion, anyway.

[Anglo-California]

Christmas has by and large become a Western cultural tradition rather than a religious holiday (don't get me wrong, there are still people who celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, but that number is declining.)

Saying "Merry Christmas" in the West is about as controversial as saying "good morning". It's part of our culture and people who complain about it are just looking to annoy people.

[Burleson 2]

Christmas has by and large become a Western cultural tradition rather than a religious holiday (don't get me wrong, there are still people who celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, but that number is declining.)

Saying "Merry Christmas" in the West is about as controversial as saying "good morning". It's part of our culture and people who complain about it are just looking to annoy people.

Exactly.

[Fortschritte]

Nothing is wrong with acknowledging Christmas. But, in some cases, Happy Holidays is more appropriate. Let's say a mall is putting up a holiday themed banner. Why call it a "Christmas Banner", if it excludes other holiday beliefs. Happy Holidays acknowledges them all, and is most inclusive.

Nothing wrong with that if they so choose. The problem arises from the political correctness crowd who want to force the happy holidays greeting. If they want it to be a Christmas banner, I see no problem with it being a Christmas banner.

Same goes for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. Celebrate what you want, call it what you want. That's my opinion, anyway.

But, if a Christmas banner is put up, is that fair to those who don't celebrate the holiday? Why have preference over one holiday, when you can be inclusive? Look, I'm not hyper politically correct, meaning that if someone wants to use Merry Christmas in a conversation, or as some sort of greeting, that's fine. But, Merry Christmas shouldn't be used on displays in public places, like malls.

[Bezkoshtovnya]

Christmas has by and large become a Western cultural tradition rather than a religious holiday (don't get me wrong, there are still people who celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, but that number is declining.)

Saying "Merry Christmas" in the West is about as controversial as saying "good morning". It's part of our culture and people who complain about it are just looking to annoy people.

The same can be said for those who complain about saying "happy holidays".

[Teemant]

I can't figure it out how can saying Merry Christmas offend anyone. Of course I support saying Merry Christmas because it's christmas.

[Fortschritte]

Christmas has by and large become a Western cultural tradition rather than a religious holiday (don't get me wrong, there are still people who celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, but that number is declining.)

Saying "Merry Christmas" in the West is about as controversial as saying "good morning". It's part of our culture and people who complain about it are just looking to annoy people.

Exactly.

Agreeing with Anglo directly contradicts your OP which essentially says "We need to say merry Christmas because my religious feels."

[The General Threadsman]

Nothing wrong with that if they so choose. The problem arises from the political correctness crowd who want to force the happy holidays greeting. If they want it to be a Christmas banner, I see no problem with it being a Christmas banner.

Same goes for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. Celebrate what you want, call it what you want. That's my opinion, anyway.

But, if a Christmas banner is put up, is that fair to those who don't celebrate the holiday? Why have preference over one holiday, when you can be inclusive? Look, I'm not hyper politically correct, meaning that if someone wants to use Merry Christmas in a conversation, or as some sort of greeting, that's fine. But, Merry Christmas shouldn't be used on displays in public places, like malls.

That's idiotic. That's like saying red banners shouldn't be put up because they are red and someone doesn't like it.

[Fortschritte]

I can't figure it out how can saying Merry Christmas offend anyone. Of course I support saying Merry Christmas because it's christmas.

It's not that it often offends anyone, it's that when the phrase is used in places like banners, malls, and the like, it excludes other religious holidays. The term "Happy Holidays" includes all of them, and equally recognizes all of them. It's non preferential, and the most sensical.

[Fortschritte]

But, if a Christmas banner is put up, is that fair to those who don't celebrate the holiday? Why have preference over one holiday, when you can be inclusive? Look, I'm not hyper politically correct, meaning that if someone wants to use Merry Christmas in a conversation, or as some sort of greeting, that's fine. But, Merry Christmas shouldn't be used on displays in public places, like malls.

That's idiotic. That's like saying red banners shouldn't be put up because they are red and someone doesn't like it.

There is a massive fucking difference between liking something for it's aesthetic looks, and celebrating something because of heritage, religion, and family tradition.

[Tyrinth]

But, if a Christmas banner is put up, is that fair to those who don't celebrate the holiday? Why have preference over one holiday, when you can be inclusive? Look, I'm not hyper politically correct, meaning that if someone wants to use Merry Christmas in a conversation, or as some sort of greeting, that's fine. But, Merry Christmas shouldn't be used on displays in public places, like malls.

It should be if the mall owners are Christian and want to display a Christmas banner.

I don't understand why people are offended by others not practicing their faith. If I see an acknowledgment of Hanukkah, I don't get offended. Inclusiveness is great, but it should not be forced. Some people are proud of what they believe, and they should be allowed to be so.

[The General Threadsman]

That's idiotic. That's like saying red banners shouldn't be put up because they are red and someone doesn't like it.

There is a massive fucking difference between liking something for it's aesthetic looks, and celebrating something because of heritage, religion, and family tradition.

Christmas is now more of a corporate ploy for presents that religion now, so that is out the window for you.

[Teemant]

I can't figure it out how can saying Merry Christmas offend anyone. Of course I support saying Merry Christmas because it's christmas.

It's not that it often offends anyone, it's that when the phrase is used in places like banners, malls, and the like, it excludes other religious holidays. The term "Happy Holidays" includes all of them, and equally recognizes all of them. It's non preferential, and the most sensical.

I see no problem at all when it is used in malls and on banners. Freedom of speech and it doesn't offend anyone. Not mentioning someones holiday isn't offending it.

[Vindex Nation]

Merry Holidays...

[The United Neptumousian Empire]

I hate it when people try to militantly secularize Christmas, or anything else.

[The General Threadsman]

I hate it when people try to militantly secularize Christmas, or anything else.

Welcome to Earth, year 2014.

[Nervium]

Happy Yuletide.

[Alyakia]

this is the stupidest fucking non-issue ever. i will defend political correctness to the death but if you're offended by merry christmas or happy holidays you need to get the fuck over it.

e: and if you have ever said "war on christmas" (does not exist) or "culture war" seriously then lol

[Anglo-California]

I hate it when people try to militantly secularize Christmas, or anything else.

Christmas has been secular for a long time. The issue isn't over the secularization of Christmas. It's not a religious issue. It's an issue of culture, and in our culture, we celebrate Christmas. However, due to the influx of many foreigners and their children, many of whom do not celebrate Christmas, they feel (and idiotically so) alienated.

I can understand why people don't like "Merry Christmas", but that doesn't change the fact that they're being idiots about it.