Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

It's not subtle when my mom isn't allowed to put a Christmas decoration on her desk (Hunakkah and Kwanza are ok though, the bank can't get sued for those).

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's not subtle when my mom isn't allowed to put a Christmas decoration on her desk (Hunakkah and Kwanza are ok though, the bank can't get sued for those).

[/ QUOTE ]

The Jews run the banks, and the blacks don't have white collar jobs.


(this is a joke, btw)

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all, without any reservations, the compliments of the season. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Cute, [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] but I'm not going to use it, takes too long. :P

Merry Christmas is perfect for those people who you personally know are Christian, especially if you see them on December 23rd. For those who you know celebrate Christmas, "Merry Christmas" should be used as often as possible.

Happy Hanukkah/Kwanzaa is too American for me, IMHO. It would be like saying "Happy Christmas." Too Americanized. While I use English a lot more than Chinese, I'd never say Happy Chinese New Year, it will be "xin nian kuai le." It's culture.

I actually really like this one (for school at least): "Enjoy your break." (combined with some other random stuff)

Considering our vacation is a very long two weeks, I feel "Enjoy your break" is right up there with "Merry Christmas."

And yeah, I'm still in school. At work, when your break is two or three days, I'm definitely going to need to find something new.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Merry Christmas offended people, so it was widely replaced with Happy Holidays (to account for the small % of our population who is Jewish, non Jewish/Christian Africans, and/or indiginous germanic tribal living in America, I suppose), yet wouldnt Happy Holidays still offend atheists and muslims?

[/ QUOTE ]
I believe this all started when various organizations/retailers made a conscious effort to shift from saying "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" (or whatever). It has more to do with avoiding potential offence than anyone actually complaining about anything. Store X wants everybody to spend $2000 at this time of year - why limit it to people who celebrate Christmas? Why even hint at discouraging them? Especially when "non-Christian" is a faster growing demographic than "Christian"?

As for the offensiveness of the phrase "Merry Christmas", it primarily stems from the root word "Christ" which means "annointed one" as in "annointed to be the Son of God". Now I don't care about this. I like Christmas for it's secular charms and I'm just as willing to keep calling it Christmas as I'm willing to say that today is "Tuesday" (i.e. the day of the Norse God Tyr).

The really silly thing about all this is that there is precious little about Christmas that is actually Christian in origin. The "reason for the season" has far more to do with the solstice than Jesus.

On a side note, The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert did a wonderful job on this issue this past week. I especially loved this jab at Bill O'Reilly (paraphrased).

Bill O : I don't understand why anyone would find "Merry chritmas" offensive. It's not.

A different interview:
Bill O : Saying "Happy Holidays" is deeply offensive to Christians.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

"If you are serious then I would have responded that there is no god and that would have really gotten things started."

Definitely, because I usually respond with something to the effect: "There is no God? Good. No one can save you now!" And proceed with a sucker punch.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

I'd be very surprised if you could find an atheist that could be offended by a holiday greeting, they have a predisposition to common sense.

I heard this year that some xstians are offended by "crossing out Christ" so from now on its Xmas as far as I'm concerned [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

As South Park explained, its no longer about religion or any rubbish like that, Christmas is about.. Presents

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
"If you are serious then I would have responded that there is no god and that would have really gotten things started."

Definitely, because I usually respond with something to the effect: "There is no God? Good. No one can save you now!" And proceed with a sucker punch.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sucker punch someone because they start a conversation about god? By the way, the last guy that tried to sucker punch me ended up in the hospital (don't miss).

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"If you are serious then I would have responded that there is no god and that would have really gotten things started."

Definitely, because I usually respond with something to the effect: "There is no God? Good. No one can save you now!" And proceed with a sucker punch.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sucker punch someone because they start a conversation about god? By the way, the last guy that tried to sucker punch me ended up in the hospital (don't miss).

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you just make a physical threat or brag in a message board?

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'd be very surprised if you could find an atheist that could be offended by a holiday greeting, they have a predisposition to common sense.



[/ QUOTE ]

I am offended by Merry Christmas, not a generic Holiday greeting. Also offended by 'in God we trust' and 'one nation under God'. It implies that I believe in God which I find very insulting.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"If you are serious then I would have responded that there is no god and that would have really gotten things started."

Definitely, because I usually respond with something to the effect: "There is no God? Good. No one can save you now!" And proceed with a sucker punch.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sucker punch someone because they start a conversation about god? By the way, the last guy that tried to sucker punch me ended up in the hospital (don't miss).

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you just make a physical threat or brag in a message board?

[/ QUOTE ]

Peter666 made the threat - it's not bragging if its true.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd be very surprised if you could find an atheist that could be offended by a holiday greeting, they have a predisposition to common sense.



[/ QUOTE ]

I am offended by Merry Christmas, not a generic Holiday greeting. Also offended by 'in God we trust' and 'one nation under God'. It implies that I believe in God which I find very insulting.

[/ QUOTE ]

Grow some balls.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've heard that the OED has recently started including "moreso". Unfortunately, I don't have a copy to verify that.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's way down under "more"

f. With ellipsis of the word or sentence modified. Now freq. with anaphoric so (see SO adv. 4a) in more so (also, chiefly U.S., moreso). (all) the more: the rather, the more so (as, because, etc.).

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"If you are serious then I would have responded that there is no god and that would have really gotten things started."

Definitely, because I usually respond with something to the effect: "There is no God? Good. No one can save you now!" And proceed with a sucker punch.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sucker punch someone because they start a conversation about god? By the way, the last guy that tried to sucker punch me ended up in the hospital (don't miss).

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you a ninja?

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd be very surprised if you could find an atheist that could be offended by a holiday greeting, they have a predisposition to common sense.



[/ QUOTE ]

I am offended by Merry Christmas, not a generic Holiday greeting. Also offended by 'in God we trust' and 'one nation under God'. It implies that I believe in God which I find very insulting.

[/ QUOTE ]

Grow some balls.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you offended by anything?

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
If someone wishes me 'Merry Christmas' I tell them I don't celebrate Christmas. If someone wishes me 'Happy Holidays' I say thank you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does everything have to be a statement Ayn Rand? Can't you just accept that someone was wishing good to you and leave it at that?
You must be a blast to hang around with.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If someone wishes me 'Merry Christmas' I tell them I don't celebrate Christmas. If someone wishes me 'Happy Holidays' I say thank you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does everything have to be a statement Ayn Rand? Can't you just accept that someone was wishing good to you and leave it at that?
You must be a blast to hang around with.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I interpreted 'Merry Christmas' to mean hope you like to share with others then I would have no problem. But to me it means the celebration of a figure that I do not believe in. If you want to totally commercialize Christmas and take out any religious connotations then I guess you would have a point. But, that is not the way it is meant now.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If someone wishes me 'Merry Christmas' I tell them I don't celebrate Christmas. If someone wishes me 'Happy Holidays' I say thank you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does everything have to be a statement Ayn Rand? Can't you just accept that someone was wishing good to you and leave it at that?
You must be a blast to hang around with.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I interpreted 'Merry Christmas' to mean hope you like to share with others then I would have no problem. But to me it means the celebration of a figure that I do not believe in. If you want to totally commercialize Christmas and take out any religious connotations then I guess you would have a point. But, that is not the way it is meant now.

[/ QUOTE ]

See, I understand that, that wasn't my point.
If you sneeze and a little old lady says "God Bless You" do you bow up and get in her face?

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
See, I understand that, that wasn't my point.
If you sneeze and a little old lady says "God Bless You" do you bow up and get in her face?


[/ QUOTE ]

To be perfectly honest - none of my friends say that to me because I do say something. I ask them what do you mean 'bless me'? Are you a priest or something? Everyone who knows me says Gesundheit (good health). Much more appropriate.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's not subtle when my mom isn't allowed to put a Christmas decoration on her desk (Hunakkah and Kwanza are ok though, the bank can't get sued for those).

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait, the bank doesn't (or shouldn't) have the right to dictate what can or cannot be displayed on their property?

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

Oh, feeling insecure during Christmas time, eh Atheist? No reason to celebrate, no spiritual joy to partake of. Ha ha, how lonely and sad.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
You must be a blast to hang around with.

[/ QUOTE ]



I don't rly participate in the SMP discussions so I don't know your usual demeanor, but Boca you sound like a grade A douchebag. an legitimate gayblade, even. seriously, it has nothing to do with you being an atheist or whatever, but taking offense to "God bless you" is just so stupid.

also, loll @ "the last guy that tried to sucker punch you ended up in a hospital." I bet you're a 6'4", 235 tough guy and not just an internet nerdlinger, right?


also, the concept of a "holiday tree" is gay. "happy holidays" replacing "Merry Christmas" is gay.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, feeling insecure during Christmas time, eh Atheist? No reason to celebrate, no spiritual joy to partake of. Ha ha, how lonely and sad.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am neither lonely or sad [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You must be a blast to hang around with.

[/ QUOTE ]



I don't rly participate in the SMP discussions so I don't know your usual demeanor, but Boca you sound like a grade A douchebag. an legitimate gayblade, even. seriously, it has nothing to do with you being an atheist or whatever, but taking offense to "God bless you" is just so stupid.

also, loll @ "the last guy that tried to sucker punch you ended up in a hospital." I bet you're a 6'4", 235 tough guy and not just an internet nerdlinger, right?


also, the concept of a "holiday tree" is gay. "happy holidays" replacing "Merry Christmas" is gay.

[/ QUOTE ]

This really isn't the place for personal attacks - but you are entitled to your opinion. I think calling someone 'gay' because they are truly offended by something is rather immature. I am sure because 90% of the people in THIS country believe in God they can't understand being offended by it. But that doesn't change the fact that I am. That was sort of the purpose of the original post - wasn't it.

By the way, I am 6 feet, 180 lbs. Not super large - just know how to defend myself and I have a fair amount of friends.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

yeah, our society is much progressed and enlightened. a great debate to get our panties ruffled over. i think it's great

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
That was sort of the purpose of the original post - wasn't it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not that it matters, you can say whatever you want, but my question was more as to why people were offended by "happy holidays" -- more so this year than I've ever noticed before. I think it started with the President's christmas cards or something.

I even say "merry christmas" to people -- I am not offended by it. I am "offended" (kinda, not really) by having our government endorse a particular religion(s) though. I'm all for separation of church & state. But, that's a different topic. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

Anyone who is offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" needs to calm down and think about the intent of the comment. In almost all circumstances, it's the equivalent of "hello", nothing more.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone who is offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" needs to calm down and think about the intent of the comment. In almost all circumstances, it's the equivalent of "hello", nothing more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep. And the same for "Happy Holidays" or "Joyous Kwanzaa" or "Helluva Hannukah" or whatever. I agree, no reason to be offended, I don't think. The point I was trying to make, though, is that it seems a lot of people are being offended by "Happy Holidays" -- more so than usual. You'd probably agree that there's no reason to be -- and I agree with you. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

Please point me toward any area where you've ever heard people say "Joyous Kwanzaa."

So I can remind myself never to go there.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Please point me toward any area where you've ever heard people say "Joyous Kwanzaa."

So I can remind myself never to go there.

[/ QUOTE ]

You missed the "or whatever" part of my post.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
From: PokerRoom.com [mailto:support@pokerroom.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 3:18 AM
Subject: PokerRoom.com wishes you a Happy Holiday!

[/ QUOTE ]

This offends me. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone who is offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" needs to calm down and think about the intent of the comment. In almost all circumstances, it's the equivalent of "hello", nothing more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Offended is a bit too strong a word here. I'd say annoyed fits better. I'm offended when people say "Merry Christmas" in that jesus loves you way, and I'm just slightly annoyed when people say "Merry Christmas" in the I'm lazy/mildly rude and don't want to say "Happy Holidays" way.

Saying "Merry Christmas" all the time is poor etiquette, not a criminal offense. But, would you run around on your birthday saying "Hapy Birthday" to others?

No, you tell people Happy ___ thing they celebrate. You say Happy Chanukah to Jews and Merry Christmas to Christians and Happy Holidays when you don't know the person well or they're atheist, and so on...

Just like you say "please" and "thank you." It's just plain old fashioned proper etiquette.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

I'm an athiest, I say merry xmas. Seriously why would it annoy you? Cant you enjoy xmas in a secular way, as in just a time to be with family and collect mad loot [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

North America is mostly christian, why would you get angry when they want to celebrate the central figure in their faith. I wouldnt go to a muslim country and get all pissed off at them when they want to practice their religion.

Political Correctness is just lame people trying to make a point that nobody cares about.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]

Political Correctness is just lame people trying to make a point that nobody cares about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahhh, no, Political Correctness is just a lame way to dismiss someone's point of view out of hand....but whatever...

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]


North America is mostly christian, why would you get angry when they want to celebrate the central figure in their faith. I wouldnt go to a muslim country and get all pissed off at them when they want to practice their religion.


[/ QUOTE ]

No one is angry.
We said we were offended and annoyed when they tell us to have a merry Christmas.
We're not angry, offended, or annoyed that they want to celebrate Christmas.

It's about being polite. It's about etiquette.

It's in the same vein as pronouncing someone's name correctly or addressing them with their proper title (Dr, Mr, Ms).

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Happy Holidays" is a simple phrase that applies to everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]
no it doesnt.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Happy Holidays" is a simple phrase that applies to everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]
no it doesnt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Close enough.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Happy Holidays" is a simple phrase that applies to everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]
no it doesnt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Close enough.

[/ QUOTE ]
yeah, its close enough that they might as well stick with merry christmas.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Happy Holidays" is a simple phrase that applies to everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]
no it doesnt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Close enough.

[/ QUOTE ]
yeah, its close enough that they might as well stick with merry christmas.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd be fine with that too.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Happy Holidays" is a simple phrase that applies to everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]
no it doesnt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Close enough.

[/ QUOTE ]
yeah, its close enough that they might as well stick with merry christmas.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd be fine with that too.

[/ QUOTE ]
id be finer with strangers not saying anything.

Re: \"Happy Holidays\" v. \"Merry Christmas\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Happy Holidays" is a simple phrase that applies to everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]
no it doesnt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Close enough.

[/ QUOTE ]
yeah, its close enough that they might as well stick with merry christmas.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd be fine with that too.

[/ QUOTE ]
id be finer with strangers not saying anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good luck with that