Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

dude, you're petty.

Snood, what's your take on the video that opened this thread? Do you think the song represents a respectable Christian attitude?

I think Intrepid has tried to agree to disagree with you several times, and I think you deign to trade gotcha comments.

Why would I wish a Jewish person Merry Christmas? That's just plain silly. How do I know if a person is Jewish or Hindi or Muslim just by looking at them?

Most of these winter holidays have many commonalities. The main common factor is the central role of lights be they candles or electric. Another central theme is family. A third is feasting. There are more (gifting, dancing, singing, etc). This holiday season is just that - there are many holidays all speaking to the same ancient traditions we have had at the end of the harvest through the shortest day of the year.

I bought a 6-pack of beer on the way home from work tonight and wished the owner happy holidays. He sort of choked and yelled, "I'm sick of this bullshit! It's Chris- open that door!" He then pointed to the exit. I felt as though he were throwing me out. When I opened the door he bellowed "Merry Christmas!" to the population at large. I will never be going back to that place again.

Like you snood, I tend to call them as I see them.

I was asking you about a video that both Intrepid and baddog had provided links to on this thread. If you have been following this thread and seen the lyrics I posted, then you know what I think of it. Foxfyre thinks it's OK

That's not the case in Toronto. Plenty of Christmas concerts/pageants and programs going on in schools this month. Ask the guy I had lunch with today - he's been to Christmas concerts at 4 schools in the last week and a half.

We are doing readers theater read-alouds on several winter holiday traditions including Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and a Swedish traditional festival.

I am very pleased that that is the case. Unfortunately, it is not the case here.

Seems a bit odd that they do not have Christmas plays as they may offend other religions etc. (I do respect other religions). However, when the schools have Halloween celebrations, the Christian children whose families do no celebrate halloween are told they they can stay in another room until the costume celebrations etc. are over.

Where is the equity?

I think that is great. Everyone is covered.

Wow, Littlek, that's just really kind of amazing, that someone would get that carried away with this nonsense...

To me, the run-in K had with that store owner is an example of the same attitude that the song that Intrepid linked to is espousing. I have no problem with any kind of holiday greeting, but the belligerence and posturing in the song is ugly, and it's pretty sad if that's how Christians feel they should be acting. Getting all in a twist about what greeting other people choose to use... *tsk*

WWTTD?































What would Tiny Tim do?

I think it's nut that people are making such a big deal out of this.

Christmas use to be fun!

((((((((Littlek))))))) That must have been terrible!

I would have given him the finger!

Umm....Tip toe through the tulips?.

I like to speak in ironic terms. It's a funny day in history when the above in blue is not recieved as a greeting but as an insult. I won't take the blame for that. Petty? Perhaps I'm being mean, but frankly I don't feel sorry. Treppy likes to push my buttons, but he doens't like what the buttons do. He can dish it out, but he can't take it.

littlek - That story is awful. I'm sorry.

T
K
O

It seems that we have now come down to school yard antics. That is sad.

I guess I should never have started this topic since some are so passionate about discounting anything that they see as being associated with Christian.

Some forget that Christians are people too. We are not perfect. We have feelings and can be the same as anybody else. When a Christian says or does something that others do not like.... the Christian card is played. Even Jesus, Himself, lashed out at the money changers in the temple.

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings.

I hope you have a joyful Christmas, Intrepid.

I agree that what Littlek faced was outrageous. Not only wouldn't I go to that store again, I'd seriously consider sending what she posted here to the local press.

Did anyone happen to catch, "The History of Christmas" on the History Channel last night? I tuned in as they were discussing the middle ages onward and only caught the last portion.

It airs again on Sunday night http://www.history.com/shows.do?episodeId=203414&action=detail

Putting your fingers in your ears and not listening to others seems like a pretty school yard thing to do if you ask me. But I'm a non-entity, my opinion doens't count.

As pointed out by mesquite, this isn't about Christians being denied any freedoms, it's about them (you included) that wish for special treatment in terms of religious promotion in the pubic forum.

Not true. I am fully aware that Christians are people too. I think the opposite is where the problem lies: Christians judging and treating non-christians as morally or culturally inferior.

Specifically in the context of the Christmas contraversy, I think it's the actions of non-christians which goes under the most scutiny. For that matter, perhaps the actions of Christians acting to secularize the holiday.

Look at the history of the last 4 years as this topic has gained dialogue. Specifically the following reatilers.

Sears
K-mart
Walmart
Target
Best Buy
The Gap
Banana Republic
Old Navy
Petsmart
etc

Many were attacked by Christian organizations for not including "Christmas" in their advertisements or promotions. It's not enough to celebrate Christmas or buy Christmas presents, people for whatever reason feel the need to only buy Christmas presents from stores that promote Christmas?

Would you only buy a birthday present or aniversary present from a birthday store or aniversary store? No. Why not? The answer is clear: there is no need for such a distinction. The same applies for Christmas or any other holiday for that matter.

Quite frankly, I don't care about retailers. They are in the private sector and I feel they can call it whatever they like. If Christians believe that the importance of this holiday is elsewhere, they should stop putting the spotlight on the consumer part of the holiday; pick their battles better.

Retailers do what they want casue they are in the private sector, but establishments such as our public schools etc should not be promoting any religion.

I'm sure you think that I'm just some anti-christian, but honestly it's the context of most of our conversations postures me this way. Given a different context, you'd find that I am quite supportive of anyone's right to believe what they believe, even you.

I really do wish the best for all people no matter what they believe. I don't believe in Christianity (nor judiasm nor islam etc) but I believe that you have the right to practice it. Just don't mistake "practice," with "preach." I think this is a reoccuring issue with Christianity because many churches believe it's their job to "save" others and "spread the word of god," which can be recieved as quite offensive.

As a Christian, think about when you see or hear radical muslim terrorists, refer to you (us) as being a "infidel." What kind of emotional reaction does this invoke in you?

Lastly, despite everything, I honestly do wish for everyone to have fun and be safe no matter what they celebrate or don't celebrate.

T
K
O

When the film is similar to what is published at their webside - it's an American view, to put it mildly.

(The German term for christmas - "Weihnachten" - was first used in the Middle Ages: a lyric poet named 'Spervogel' used it in a song in 1170:
Er ist gewaltic unde starc,
der ze wihen naht geborn wart:
daz ist der heilige krist.
jà lobr in allez, das der ist.
niewan der tievel eine
durh sinen gròzen übermuot
sò wart ìme diu helle ze teile..

And we had four days of festivities at Christmas in the Middle Ages [they needed such after the period of strong Lent before :wink: ] instead of th two holidays nowadays.])