Lash wrote:I'm glad you asked, finn.
We are an office of six women. Five cross-wearin', Christians and one Star of David wearin' Jew--to say, we all practice our faith--a couple attend church regularly, and Janet, the resident Jew, takes her faith more seriously than all of us put together.
We discuss politics and religion on a regular basis--and the last conversation we had, Janet talked passionately about how she felt--surrounded by Christmas--the music, the Merry Christmases, the overpowering hype, and the inability to find a Happy Hanukkah card anywhere.
She wasn't being mean spirited at all--and I did tell her I wouldn't take offense if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah--but I thought later how I might feel if the tables were turned and my religion was shunted aside, while another one was crammed all in my face.
I would never consider minimizing my religion to even the score, but I think people should carry Hanukkah (et al) accoutrements and I think people should at least be considerate when approaching people they know are 1) jewish (or other-religioned) and 2) have expressed sensitivity about it.
The ass-hole knew. She didn't care. She thinks Jewishness is an affliction she can heal if she is forceful enough. Janet had corrected her a couple of times-- "Have you gotten all your Christmas shopping done?" "You mean my Hanukkah shopping?" There's no way it wasn't intentional, power prosletizing--or just in-your-face disrespect for Janet's faith. (sp)
Jesus is very personally special to me. He also represents calling her religion a lie. I don't think He would want to be used as a weapon against anyone.
I wouldn't hide my religion. I'd just be sensitive. If you could have seen the look on Janet's face, you'd understand.
The additional information allows me to see your point and I agree with it.
(Perhaps nimh will like me after all!)
Well, I agree with it in
large measure. If your co-worker knew her action would discomfort your supervisor, she is an a-hole.
I think Janet is too touchy, but that doesn't excuse the a-hole.
I live in Texas, and I know I can find a Chanukah card pretty easily, and Kwanza cards as well. If there's a buck to be made selling non-Christian holiday cards, they will be sold. If there isn't and there are none readily available, that should not be taken as an affront by non-Christians. Stores have no responsibility to stock their shelves with merchandise that won't sell, just so they can be
inclusive.
Christmas songs play during the season because that is what the majority of people want to hear. It is not because the radio stations want to remind Jews that they are not Christian, or to belittle any of the beliefs or traditions that Jews may hold dear.
Wishing a Jew Merry Christmas is not, necessarily, an insult or an act of aggression. Your a-hole co-worker made it so, but I'd like to think she is the exception and not the rule.
The commercial hype of Christmas in America overpowers a lot of people, including a lot of Christians. It is directed at parting people from their money not against Jews or other non-Christians.
I don't consider myself a Christian, but I was raised one, and just don't agree with you that the concept of The Christ means Judaism is a lie. Judaism is not founded on the belief that Jesus is not the son of God. It is not founded on the belief that there can be no son of God. If Jesus is the son of God, the part of Judaism that is necessarily wrong is that it doesn't acknowledge him as the Messiah. This is a big deal to Christians, but it doesn't mean Judaism is a lie. I agree that Jesus (whether man alone or man and God at once) would not want belief in him or his teachings to be used as a weapon. Celebrating his birth is not an attack on anyone.
Some people are too quick to be offended. They wear their offense as a badge. I'm not saying this is necessarily the case with Janet, but I think she needs to have more faith in her faith. Everyone cannot be in the majority.
Sorry to make it so hard to remember...
