Poor Choice of Words
Jon Stewart stole my thunder.
Here I was planning on writing about the so-called "War on Christmas," and there he was last night talking about it as well.
I shouldn't be surprised, since it has become a clarion call on Fox News for years now. It's a lot of noise meant to distract you from the real problems facing this country and into action to save Christmas.
But action against what? Someone greeting you with a smile and pleasant phrase? Someone trying to put away their troubles and trying to enjoy the season?
The phrase "Happy Holidays" is all encompassing. It takes nothing away from your beliefs or your preferred holiday of choice. It's being nice, something there is far too little of in our world these days.
Which brings me back around to Fox's choice of words in this story. A war? Really? Don't we have enough wars to worry about? And isn't war the direct antitheses to the spirit of Christmas? The spirit of Christianity as a whole?
I'll agree, some of it goes a little too far. But that's the world we've made -- in part thanks the neo-Puritanical beliefs that America would just be better if we were back in the days of our forefathers. You know, a land of segregation, an unbroken glass ceiling and no 24-hour cable news channels telling you what you should believe (if only we could get rid of that last one ...).
But the bottom line for the Fox zealots, you have to take the good and bad together. You can't have your Christmas without another person's Hanukkah or another's Kwanzaa or another's Festivus.
And let's face the facts, your two major holidays (Easter and Christmas) are still considered major points on the calendar for millions of Americans ... to hand out eggs delivered by a bunny and gifts brought by an elf on a sleigh.
The religious significance of both has been so far buried underneath the commercial aspect of the holidays, that you should be happy that they're still even considered religious observances.
So, let's all make a deal. You stop being angry and bitter when people greet you with a cheery "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas."
And for the folks who don't celebrate Christmas, this works both ways. If someone greets you with a "Merry Christmas," there's no need to snark back that you're not Christian and don't believe in Christmas.
Because, at this point in America, if you've bought a gift (even for yourself) this holiday season ... you are.
Gabriela Klein
5:40 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The problem is that there is a separation of church and state in this country. Schools DO spend an inordinate amount of time on "Christian" holidays to the point where non practicing peoples of other beliefs feel left out if they don't participate, and frankly, bunnies, eggs, elves, and Santa are NOT Christian anyway. Saying Merry Christmas to someone of another "faith" would be akin to someone greeting you with "Allah is great." While that may be true for them and many others, [Allah (God) is great], the words would be viewed as an intrusion into your personal beliefs. I can fairly guarantee you would not like that statement said to you as a greeting. More people than not in the world DO NOT celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ. Though many participate as far as buying gifts is concerned, and enjoy time off from work and school, the acceptance of Christmas as a religious holiday makes saying Christmas greetings to people you do not know a bit assuming. That said, you are right that people should be gracious and not quick to anger over the careless remarks of another. The globe is a small place, after all. We should share it in peace.
Gay_in_DB
9:30 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Well said, Gabriela :)
Ben
8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I'm just going by what the bible itself says- Jesus saying don't be bringing in a tree and decorating it with silver and gold- it is what the pagens do - he knew about them doing and he would know his own birthday so why not take it like it must have been meant -hey don't be doing that on my birthday, that's pretty much an insult. so- even ignoring the fact that shepards still in the fields in that part of the world was in summer- go look it up- you ignore Jesus and have a tree, and running to Walmart for chinese stuff for yourself- ya- expect those checkers to laugh their asses off if you say its all about Jesus. like the new pic by the way- much much better
Judi
7:30 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I will say Merry Christmas as I have always done and everyone else can convey a holiday cheer anyway they choose to. This is America, everyone has the RIGHT to say and feel anyway what they want, in anyway they want, even those who are not religious or don't have a particular religious affiliation. Merry Christmas to you all, may everyone have the love and peace in their hearts to allow everyone else the freedom to express themselves spiritually or not. I wish you cheer throughout the year.
Gay_in_DB
9:40 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Yes, Judi we have the RIGHT to say and feel anyway we want.
Which is why in June, I will wish you "Happy Gay Pride," because June is national LGBT month. I will share my happiness about my freedom to be open about my sexual orientation with you and your family, including your children.
I wish you much cheer throughout the year, especially in June, Gay Pride month!
Clavell Jackson
9:28 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
There is no war on Christmas. This is another trumped up charge by Faux News to get people riled up at Obama and the Democrats. Faux News relies on its viewers not being smart enough to know the difference between reality and fiction. However I do agree we should say Merry Christmas. Christmas is an international holiday which is recognized by many non Christians. I am an agnostic and I still participate in Christmas festivities.
Diego Rose
9:36 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Ah Judy, the patriotism overwhelms and leaves me sad. You are so right, this is America, but you do not have the right to say and feel anyway you want. In fact, what you say and the feelings you have may land you indefinitely detained in jail. That is the America you live in now. Sad but true. The "Holiday" battle is only a slice of the erosion of liberties. When people say freedom is not free, this is what they mean. Tolerance of all is a cornerstone of liberty and individual freedom. American's have become the most intolerant of any people. We can't tolerate religions other than our own, we can tolerate governments that don't do as we wish, we can't tolerate individual habits that are other than our own, we can't tolerate the idea of someone not believing that Christ needs to be a part of Christmas. What it seems we do tolerate is our freedoms being stripped away, all in the name of "Safety". This whole Christmas argument seems a bit juvenile but completely understandable when you really evaluate what we do tolerate!! Enjoy Liberty? Vote Ron Paul
tony
1:48 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
"War on Christmas" ? Christ has been the target of disprovers for 2000 years. None succeeded. Too bad, so sad. Believing in the 12 step "God of my own understanding" and being twice born tends to extend my faith to a cosmic god that goes well beyond any scriptures so like the twelve steppers I find it unwise to have "contempt prior to investigation". Oh, and Jesus is not the giver, He's the gift.
I would rather be told Allah is great than shown a Muslim's new Christmas vest.