This Season, Greetings Are At Issue

LA Times ^ | December 17, 2004 | Ellen Barry

[R. Scott]

Some Christians object to nonreligious 'Happy Holidays' and push for a 'Merry Christmas.'

These two terms – as I use them – are entirely separate. If I greet someone I see on a regular basis I will say “Have a Happy Thanksgiving”, or “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year”. If it is someone I don’t expect to see until after January 1st, I will use “Happy Holidays” to include all of the holidays.
If I were a store clerk, this time of the year (post Thanksgiving) I probably would use the “Happy Holidays” term – wishing both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That is what I have been using since way back when.
Now it has come down to a fight between Christians and everyone else. Extremists on both sides have made a simple holiday greeting a battle cry. Aren’t there better things to do during these days that are to most major religions supposed to be a time of Peace and Love?

[R. Scott]

Or, you could stop, say "Holiday? What holiday?"

I would probably reply, “Christmas, Hanukah, Saturnalia”

[Maceman]

I was born Jewish, am not a Christian, and I have been making it a point to wish everyone a Merry Christmas this year.

December 25 is Christmas day for everybody, regardless whether or not they intend to celebrate it, or what religion they are. If someone wants to have a crappy Christmas, I guess that's their right.

But personally, I think wishing them a Merry Christmas is much nicer.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

A very Merry Christmas to all of my good friends at FR.

[Issaquahking]

Your pastor is an excellent person...he understands what Albert Einstein meant when he said -

"The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure."

It should move us all to being more active in driving the leftists back as we celebrate our freedoms here in America!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[longtermmemmory]

This is like the "under God" pledge case. Once people became aware of it, it became the most emphasised part of the pledge, it had more meaning, and people realllly paid attention.

Now the idea of only saying happy holidays is going to go down the same way. (heck event the Disney Channel seems to have banished "merry christmas" for "happi holiday".)

For businesses this will be a green decisions, if they believe Merry Christmas will give green they will just hang a few merry christmases and be done with it.

[freekitty]

Merry Christmas to All and May God be With You Always.....

[jwalburg]

Cool red and green. Thanks. Merry Christmas to you, too.