Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas

[SeveneightyWhoa]

Poll question: Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas

Which do you prefer?

[Neoma]

1. Happy Holidays

because it includes everyone with any belief.
since i don't celebrate holidays though
it does not include me.

[Must_B_Free]

2. EITHER

[cornermouse]

3. Merry Christmas is a habit.

Happy Holidays is usually reserved for a card. The fact is that I don't really have a preference. Both are surface-only formulated good wishes, if that makes any sense.

Sort of like "Hello" and "How are you?"

[imenja]

4. depends who you are talking to

If I know the person is Christian, I say Merry Christmas. If I don't know their religious identification, I say merry Christmas. For me it's a simple question of common courtesy. Why offend someone when you can be polite by making a simple change in a greeting?

[arcos]

5. 3. who actually cares about this? n/t

on edit:

Very few people I know actually celebrate it for the religious meaning... most just buy gifts and think it's a time to spend with your friends, family and loved ones.

[naryaquid]

11. I'm with you...silliest "non-issue" in awhile...

[ogradda]

6. doesn't matter.

i appreciate good wishes however i can get them :)

[illflem]

7. I used to prefer Merry Xmas

till the fundys made such a stink.
Now I use Happy Holidays just to piss them off.

[Lilith Velkor]

10. better yet

"Happy Solstice" really bakes their noodle.

[Nadienne]

16. Happy Solstice to you!!!

:toast:

:yourock:

[annabanana]

8. Happy Holidays if I'm not SURE they're Christian

If I go to church with them, or see a cross on a necklace I "Merry Christmas" them.

Otherwise it's "HH".

[Seabiscuit]

9. Most of the people I know celebrate Christmas.

For those who don't I get "Happy Holiday" cards.

[emjay]

12. religion affect me?

Oh, for christ's sake. What the hell is the big deal about this? I resent the very notion that religion has any effect on my goddamned language! Jesus christ, give it a rest. I'll greet people however I want during the christmas season. Religion ain't got my tongue.

[xchrom]

14. that was funny!

thanks!
merry christmas!:)

[RC]

13. This is just another non-issue by control freaks

who would like nothing better than to turn everyone in to remote-controlled, god-fearing automations.

[Danmel]

15. I live in NY- I say lots of stuff

We live in a very diverse area- my kids go to school with Whites, Blacks, Latinos, Asian kids from all over the continent- Korean, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese. They know the dietary restrictions of every faith so when their friends come over, we can offer appropriate food- they have Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh friends and that's probably not even covering it.
( and BTW- Sikhs have NO dietary restrictions- interesting, huh?)


If I know a person's faith, I wish them an appropriate greeting for that holiday from Diwali to Eid, from Shavout to Easter- we have it all covered here. If I don't know their faith, I say Happy Holidays. But even here, people get all bent out of shape about this "Merry Christmas" thing.

Once again, I ask the FUNDAMENTAL question: If they are are so sure they are right, why are they so threatened and insecure all the time? They are not a small minority that has to fear persecution. Why are they so threatened and defensive?

[SharonRB]

36. I agree with you...

unless I know for sure they celebrate Christmas, I say Happy Holidays. I'm Jewish and whenever someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I say thanks, but I don't celebrate it.

[ObaMania]

17. You should've added an "It doesn't matter to me" option. n/t

[nascarblue]

28. Agreed! "doesn't matter " would have won!

[fasttense]

18. This is a Repug made up issue

Name me one school that had to cancel their plans to sing Christmas carols. Name me one store that changed from Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays this year. I think the Repugs made this issue up to keep the MSM busy while they steal and cheat.

[AliciaKeyedUp]

19. If this is a made up issue

How come people here get so upset about it?

Merry Christmas.

[GoBlue]

20. Happy Hannukah

to you.

[AliciaKeyedUp]

21. Thank you

We should all celebrate our beliefs, not hide them.

[Mel]

27. Maybe it's because people don't

appreciate it when they see manipulation? I think the big picture is that it's not about Merry Christmas it's the way it's been manipulated to divide people in this country.

Personally, I see it as another wedge issue thrown on us by the corporatista right wing media and the barking right wing hate heads have received their talking points to stir up more hate/ division.
It pisses me off that people keep on falling for it, it's not about Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays it's bunk! The Noise Machine is sucking out our democracy they are a cancer on the country that for me is why I am sick of it, I also notice the same people over and over that are stirring the pot up here at DU!

The thing is for the 'elites' we the people must stay divided just enough, for if we where to wise up and rise up they would be in trouble.

So keep on, keeping on falling for it, for we shall surely fail at the great experiment of democracy if enough of us keep on falling for their bunk!


http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/2004/09/09_400.html
Since then, Brock has continued to expose the conservative media onslaught. In his newest book, The Republican Noise Machine, Brock documents how right-wing groups pressure the media and spread misinformation to the public. It's easy to see how this is done. Fringe conspiracies and stories will be kept alive by outlets like Rush Limbaugh, the Washington Times, and the Drudge Report, until they finally break into the mainstream media. Well-funded think tanks like the Heritage Foundation overwhelm news reporters with distorted statistics and conservative spin. Mainstream cable news channels employ staunchly rightwing pundits -- like Pat Buchanan and Sean Hannity -- to twist facts and echo Republican talking points, all under the rubric of "balance." Meanwhile, media groups like Brent Bozell's Media Research Center have spent 30 years convincing the public that the media is, in fact, liberal. As Brock says, it's all a sham: "I have seen, and I know firsthand, indeed from my own pen, how the organized Right has sabotaged not only journalism but also democracy and truth."

[scarlet_owl]

22. Either one. It's not a big deal.

So why is everyone acting like it is?

[Poppyseedman]

23. just a dumb bag of hammers

Maybe, I'm just a dumb bag of hammers, but this holiday season is primarily celebrating the birth of Christ. So why would it be offensive to someone to tell them "Merry Christmas"

I'm not asking them to join a church or even to believe in Christ. Just recognize the fact it is Christmas. As for my many Jewish friends, most actually celebrate Christmas along with Hanukkah.

I have never been told I insulted a Jewish friend by wishing them "Merry Christmas" Most of them send me Christmas cards !!!

[Danmel]

25. OF course they do

I send Christmas ards to my Christian friends too. I wish them Merry Christmas. They don't wish me a Merry Christmas- I don't celebrate Christmas. They wish me a Happy Hanukkah- I few of them send me Hanukkah cards- most send me Season's Greetings cards. The only people who always sent me religious Christmas cards were my late friends Jeanine's' parents who were heavy duty fundies and always thought they could "save" me.

It's simply a matter of respect for other peoples beliefs. The Easter season celebrates the resurrection. I don't expect people to greet me with "He is Risen" anymore than I would expect you to eat Matzo and read a Haggadah. (Although certainly Passover is more a part of Christian heritage than Easter is to Jews)

The whole thing is much ado about something- control and domination fundamentalist feel they need to exert over everyone else. No one has yet to tell me why they are so insecure and threatened.

[Poppyseedman]

26. It's simply a matter of respect for other peoples beliefs.

If I wish someone a "Merry Christmas" in passing, I am not disrespecting them.

I guess they have a right to be offended only if they are hyper sensitive and immature.

[Guitarman]

24. Used to say Happy Holidays...

just to avoid offending anyone. Until I realized how silly it is to think that such a greeting could offend someone. If someone cannot take the greeting "Merry Christmas" in the spirit that it was given, it is just sad.

[hoosierblue]

29. I go for Happy Holidays, but

I wish it were Merry Holidays. "Merry" reminds me of how the Brits changed it to "Happy" because the former had connotations of celebrational drunkenness. I say "merry" just sounds merrier.

Merry Yuletide greetings, everyone.

[billyskank]

38. Nah, we do say "Happy Christmas,"

but mostly it's "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," because "Merry New Year" doesn't roll off the tongue so well.

In fact that reminds me, when's Trading Places on this year! :)

[Bertha Venation]

30. Actually my preference is "Happy Christmas"

:shrug:

but I voted "Merry" in the poll

[SeveneightyWhoa]

32. I've never heard that one before.

But "Happy Christmas" nonetheless.. :D

[Bertha Venation]

39. I hear that from folks from England.

I first heard it when a good friend married an Englishman.

[Zenlitened]

31. I chose "Merry Christmas" because...

... we should never encourage the idea that the US is comprised of many people of differing traditions. And we must never acknowledge that there are several holidays being celebrated this time of year. That's why it's important to discuss the "reason" for the season, and never use the plural, "reasons."

I mean, just look at the road we're heading down with this "Happy Holidays" stuff: People reaching out to each other. Creating a sense of community. Inviting each other to celebrate and share the positive aspects of their traditions, instead of using those traditions as they were intended. As weapons, to pit neighbor against neighbor.

Is that the America you want? Huh? Damned liberals. I'm out of here. Happy Holid--

Um, Merry Christmas. Or Else.

[msgadget]

33. It's always been 'Happy Holidays' because ya never know which

holiday a person is celebrating or avoiding.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

34. To the people whining about this being a made-up Republican issue..

Did I say anything about who was right -- Republicans or Democrats -- or involve politics in this question in even the slightest matter? No, I'm simply asking which one you prefer. Its a simple Christmas (er, I forgot my P.C. -- holiday) poll during the Holiday season. If you have entered this thread to whine about something, you clearly aren't ready for Christmas and need to sit down -- RIGHT NOW -- with a carton of eggnog and a 40 oz. bottle of rum.

Seriously, do it RIGHT NOW.

[RevolutionaryActs]

35. I say Happy Holidays, because it seems so cheerful to me and

it covers all holidays, even New Years. :)

[skippysmom]

37. Happy holidays

For two reasons:

1. Throughout my life I had friends of many different religions. My elementary school was about half Jewish, my high school about 1/3 Jewish. So I grew up never assuming that someone was Christian, so I have always been saying happy holidays. IMHO, it's the most considerate thing to do.

2. Happy holidays is more inclusive of all the end of the year holidays, including New Year's. I often use the term "the holidays" to refer to that last week of the year when most people are off, so telling people to "enjoy the holidays" is entirely accurate.

[gollygee]

40. They're both fine

I get Christmas cards that say Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings because a good percentage of people on my Christmas card list don't celebrate Christmas.

I'm not a Christian but I do celebrate Christmas and I like "Merry Christmas" as well.

[harrie]

41. Are you ready for the holiday?

I'm Jewish and I'm fine with Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. BUT, things get awkward when people ask, "Are you ready for the holiday?"

Like the really nice cashier where I work:
A.M. (initials): Are you ready for Christmas?
Me: How about you?
A.M.: Not yet. I'll be cooking ... But how about you, are you ready for Christmas?
Me (hand finally forced): Well, I don't celebrate it.
A.M.: Are you Christian?
Me: No.
A.M. Are you Jewish?
Me: Yes.
A.M.: So you'll be going to church, right?

Today I did better.
Guy in Elevator: Are you ready for Christmas?
Me: Am I ever ready for anything?
Guy: Heh heh. I'm never ready for anything either...

Stuff like this happens every year. Sometimes it's not nice ~ a controversy at school, a nasty column in the Tribune a few years back, a prank at our house last year (we have a chanukiah in our window), etc etc.

I love Christmas movies and Christmas stuff but I don't celebrate Christmas. There's an urge for common celebration at this time of year ~ that's fine and fun IMHO. I love Chanukah, too, but it's not our World Series, which I wish people understood, but they can't get past remaking us in their image ~ kinda like the establishment Dems remaking themselves as Repubs? :shrug:

What disturbs me about this year's "Happy Holidays" controversy is I've heard that the Right is using it to fundraise. And, of course, the hypocrisy (Bush said it. Lynn Cheney said it. Nobody rags on them.)

OTOH, my theory is that the experience of getting through this time of year ("for you were strangers in a strange land") keeps the Jews voting 3/4 Democratic! ;-)