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Would you be offended if I said "Merry Christmas"?
Posted by PrincessQuello • 12/25/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blessing, holidays, merry christmas, offense, PC, politically correct
I heard this question…oh, about 5 times today. I get it. People are trying to be considerate because I *am* Muslim and they don’t want to offend…but to me, there’s nothing offensive about someone wishing me a Merry Christmas. It’s the same as Happy Holidays…at least in the US, over the years, that’s what it’s become. I don’t understand why people get so offended over the use of Merry Christmas over Happy Holidays or Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas…
Isn’t the whole point just to wish the other person a joyful and peaceful time, whatever it is they celebrate?
Please leave your feedback here or on the blog and Happy Holidays to everyone 
thepqnation.com/blog/2008/12/can-i-say-merry-christmas/
User Comments
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Of course not.-
How you been? I haven't been around much lately. -
My husband has had a really heavy cold that erupted on Solstice and now I'm getting it.
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Aw no! I hope it passes quickly!
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Doesn't bother me at all. The reverse question is also interesting. Are Christians offended when non-Christians wish them a Merry Christmas?-
That's interesting. I didn't really think of that.
It would be silly to be offended though, wouldn't it? -
I have yet to meet a Christan who was offended by me wishing them a Merry Christmas. This is despite the fact that they know I'm not a Christian.
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I was once told that since I cannot understand the true meaning of Christmas it is hypocritical and offensive. I never took this "suggestion" to heart, but it popped into my head when I read your post.
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The true reason for the seasonal celebration of Winter Solstice predates the choice of the Roman emperor to set December 25th as the arbitrary date for celebrating the birth of Jesus. Winter Solstice is a magical season that marks the journey from this year to the next, journeys of the spirit from one world to the next, and the magic of birth, death, and rebirth. thistimethisspace.com/2008/12/21/winter-solstice-festival-of-light/
In the northern hemisphere are days are now growing longer -
I'm not Christian, but not only am I not offended when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, but this season while shopping in stores, when the cashier would wish me a happy holiday, I would come right back with "Merry Christmas." I think is awful how some are trying to impose a generic greeting.
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Some work mates were very upset when I said Merry Christmas. Some people just too it too seriously. It is just a greeting. Unless someone wants me to say Drop dead Christmas or get killed Christmas, I will be very glad to say so.-
That kind of happened when they made the "Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer" song.
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I always try to nail the exact name of the holiday. Not only Christmas, but I saY Happy Micky Rooney's Birthday, Happy Peeping Tom expose Day, and Happy Anniversary of the naming of the Swiss Cheese and Ham Sandwich.
Be direct and everybody will forgive you. Nobody will think you are a bigot.-
No, (lol) they would get a good laugh out of it. I think I might say "Happy Mickey Rooney's Birthday"! Sounds much better.
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I think people need to pull the stick out of their butt. Too many people are too sensitive. Whatever happened to the days when people said 'deal with it'?
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In the USA about 2% of the population are not or don't consider themselves Christian. The remaining 98% or so do consider themselves Christian. I don't think we should stop saying Merry Christmas to anyone regardless of what faith they are. In a democratic society like the U.S. is, majority wins. Saying Merry Christmas does not hurt anyone. The majority should not conform to the minority. Why are we so afraid? To destroy part of our culture to be politically correct to a handful of people? Furthermore, if they are offended they are offended not by the greeting, rather they find Jesus Christ offensive, the Prince of Peace, of all things.-
Where are those stats? I do not think those are actual stats. There are plenty of people who are Christian, but it is no where near as high like countries like Colombia where 95% practice Catholicism.
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Spot on! I am a buddist but I enjoy Christmas spirit. I would not want people to be afraid of offending me by being friendly!
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The majority does not rule. If it did, we would be unable to overturn laws that discriminate against a minority population. It is attitudes like "the majority should not conform to the minority" that cause strife through disrespect for the feelings and rights of the minority.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposition_187 shows a good example of the majority's rule being overturned. -
Stats: I would also like to see an authoritative source for the stats you refer to.
Majority rule: If the majority did rule then slavery would still exist, women would not have the vote, and interracial marriage would not be possible.
they find Jesus Christ offensive I have never found the teachings attributed to Jesus of Nazareth to be offensive.
dana = authentic generosity (charitable giving of the self and sharing of possessions, donation)
metta = selfless love and good will toward all beings (loving kindness)
karuna = compassion (respect, acceptance, forgiveness)
mudita = altruistic joy filled with peace and contentment (appreciative joy at the success and good fortune of others)
sila = self discipline -abstaining from physical and vocal actions that cause harm to oneself and others
uppekka = equanimity (an inclusive state of open mind free of attachment, aversion, bigotry, craving, ignorance and intolerance)
These universals are the essence of teachings of both Buddha and of Jesus. They are also found in other traditions as well. I think they do constitute common ground for all people who are aware of their spiritual nature. And, it’s my experience that many religious people are not aware of their spiritual nature.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Peace, Peace, Peace) -
wow jfsrulz, absolutely astounding. -
JFSRULZ: Actually, it's nowhere near 98%.
The number you're looking for is SEVENTY SEVEN percent (give or take 2 percent), not NINETY EIGHT percent.
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Hitler's Birthday is April 30, but I never heard of anybody celebrating that.
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Actually, it's April 20.
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I tend to mix the holidays up a bit and wish people a happy st. patricks day.
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I hate how sensitive we are nowadays. Of course there is very little you could say that would offend me. I've been saying Merry Christmas all day, so maybe I've offended some. I can't believe some may get offended by this though. It's the name of a holiday.-
I'm not sure what you mean by "nowadays." Isn't it possible that many of us were offended or hurt in the past, but it wasn't "politically correct" to object to being overlooked or disenfranchised.
My best friend in high school (early 1960s) was Jewish and I remember her complaining to me about how Jewish traditions of the season were completely overlooked, even though Judaism is the mother of Christianity.
Maybe we aren't more sensitive now, maybe we just feel more free to express our dismay at being marginalized or made subordinate to a Christian observance, rather than being equally acknowledged.
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Didn't Christ preach about good will on earth and all that fancy jazz?
Wouldn't it therefore make sense to be happy and express your well-wishes in whatever way you choose? That is, of course, assuming it IS well-wishing. When it's just spiteful "these are my traditions and I'm going to force you to listen to them" (which, admittedly, it almost never is with most people), the person needs to shut up, reread their Bible in full (not just the parts the preacher selects for them), and mind their own damn business.
If you ever encounter one of these spiteful bigots, just say, "I deny the Holy Spirit. Oh, by the way, Mark 3:29. Unforgivable sin. Move on now." Luke 12:10 and Matthew 12:31-32 both support that this denunciation is an "unforgivable sin." Use their beliefs against them! -
Merry Christmas doesn't bother me at all, i wish more people would feel more comfortable saying it.
So...Merry Christmas! -
Well i dont feel offended if someone wishes me merry christmas though i am a muslim and here is my latest blog post for christmas
zoooni.blogspot.com/-
That's not a link to your latest blog post, that's just a link to your blog.
THIS is a link to your latest blog post: zoooni.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-christmas.html
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May the Force be with you. -
Not at all. May the farce be with yous. -
oh yeah but the post is on my home page so i put just a link to my blog
sry -
no,of course -
What's wrong with saying "Merry Christmas" ??
In fact, we should be proud to express these words. For Christians, it's the joy of celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. It's basically a greeting, nothing offensive, whatsoever.
It's impossible to control the thoughts of others; letting them be seems to be just the best solution.
WISHING EVERYBODY A BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR ! -
there is no harm in your sayings, festival is for every one. and festival brings happiness, so everyone can njoy.
even all indian njoy this festivals too. -
how about this... if you are a christian, would you get offended if someone were to wish you a Happy Hanukkah?
In a world where some many people are rude or just indifferent, I will take any pleasant greeting I can get even if it is wishing me a happy holiday that I don't celebrate. -
The last time I checked, Christmas was a federal holiday. Do we stop saying "Happy July 4th" next?-
Thank you.
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I am a Christian and I do not get offended if anyone wishes me Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas etc. It is a friendly greeting! Nor do I worry about who I say it too.
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