Merry Christmannukwanzaa.

[shirenomad]

I'd like to take a moment to reflect on the whole Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays business.

Let me start by saying that I, being a confirmed believer in Christ's salvation for most of my life, nonetheless have no problems with someone coming up to me and saying "Happy Holidays." Or "Happy Hannukah" for that matter. Wish me a good solstice if that's your festival of choice. I will not be insulted. I agree with many of you that it is stupid to be insulted over what was never (hopefully) meant as anything other than an "I wish you well today and in the weeks ahead."

That said, I want to also point something else out: this started, at least in some cases, because the speakers of "Happy Holidays" feared that "Merry Christmas" would -- you guessed it -- insult people. So if the psycho-fundies are dumb to get insulted over "Happy Holidays," what does that make those who think a "Merry Christmas" is an attempt to push religion?

Getting insulted over "Happy Holidays" is childish, but it's also a logical conclusion. Someone complained over a "Merry Christmas" somewhere. Things started changing. Conclusion: complaining changes things. Corollary: you can change things back by complaining louder. And around and around we go. It's insanity on both sides.

And so, to all of you, I will wish you a Merry Christmas. If I discover you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you'll enjoy the day anyway. If you want to wish me happiness on a completely different day, I'll accept that blessing in the spirit it was offered and thank you for the thought.

And we all walk off feeling brighter and blessed instead of offended and hostile. Now wasn't that easier?

Comments

[pretzelcoatl.livejournal.com]

I'm more of the type which just wishes Happy Holidays to people, myself, merely because it makes more sense since there are so many holidays going on around at the time. I've seen more people make a big deal over not saying Happy Holidays, but that's just my experience.

That said, if I hear the "Happy Zombie Jesus Day!" schtick on the Internet around Easter, I may get excessively cranky.

[eternalism.livejournal.com]

Oh, but we all know that Jesus really rose from the dead to eat the tasty brains of mortals.

I think it's one thing to respect the fact that there are multiple holidays at this time of year, but another to throw a bash at a specific religious holiday, even if it is meant in jest. It's one of those fine line things, I guess.