Is it Too Wrong to Wish Someone a Merry Christmas?
From the FRC Blog by Krystle Weeks
It seems like America has been plagued by the notions of being politically correct lately. Too often, you walk into a retail store and they are offering holiday sales, not "Christmas" sales. In today's society, you are persecuted if you say, "Merry Christmas," because the powers that be deem it too controversial.
If your child is in school, they do not throw Christmas parties complete with Santa Claus and the goodies. Instead, they throw Holiday parties with no such entertainment (except for a controversial movie or two). If you buy a Christmas tree, the man who puts the tree on top of your car wishes you, "Happy Holidays." I believe you bought a Christmas tree, so where is the customary "Merry Christmas?"
Now, it seems like there is an assault by the leftists and religious separatists to remove Christianity from Christmas. According to the Stop the ACLU blog, there is a community threatening to stop Christmas carols from being sung in public places. Why? Because the organizers do not want to risk alienating the Muslims or Atheists due to Christ, and this is especially odd considering that the community is 75% Christian and 1% Muslim.
Enough is enough, right? Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and giving to others in his name. There is nothing politically wrong about doing this, and it is time we return to our faith, especially in the times we are facing ahead. It will be our faith in God that will sustain us.
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Yes it is wrong!
The reason being , is that Christmas, Yule, Hannuka, and at times Ramadan fall around the same time and so "Happy Holidays" is correct.
although the publicans (shopkeepers, in this instance perhaps) seem to be getting ahead on this measure of following Christ.
should just turn the other cheek--oh, wait, no.
It's the Christians who are supposed to be doing that.
Matthew 7:12
Why is exactly is this "an assault on Christianity"? Christianity is not the only religion in America and acknowledging that is not an attack. Grow up.
Of course it is not wrong to wish someone a Merry Xmas, if you know that that person is a Christian. Is it OK to assume that everyone you meet on the street, or in school or business is a Christian? No... that's not wrong, it's dumb. Unless you assume that Xmas is a civil holiday with no religious significance or association, then it would be OK to greet everyone with a "Merry Christmas." I don't know where you live, but in the course of my average day I meet, Jews, Muslims Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Atheists, agnostics, Republicans and Democrats.
If I wished everyone a "Merry Christmas" probably no one would be offended, since I am not a Christian. However, If I were a Christian and wished "Merry Christmas" to everyone as a way of saying "My religion is more important than your religion; America is a Christian country and I need to let you know that you are here by my leave... or Jesus is coming for me but not for you because you're going to hell..." I can imagine that many people would be offended. I probably don't want the people who think there's a "War on Christmas" wishing me "Merry Christmas."
What they believe the definition of "Persecuted" to be. In that they believe wishing someone a merry christmas gets you "persecuted". Also, what they define " war " to be, but that's an entirely different point. Assuming that Christmas is purely about Jesus, who's to say that everyone wishing everyone else "happy holidays" isn't simply being true to themselves, and avoiding assumptions. If someone told you, Family Research Council, to go forth and be blessed in the name of His Satanic Majesty, the Devil, and enjoy your new truck, you'd be at best confused and at worst offended. There is no difference between that and "Merry Christmas" to Jews, Buddhists, Athiests, Muslims, etc. It's simply that Merry Christmas is just accepted as an inevitability.
I want the Family Research Council to define "research." Then I'd like to see a single piece of legitimate research attached to anything for which they advocate. The word "research" implies implies honest and impartial inquiry. I have never seen anything of the description come from FRC. This is more ideologically driven, ginned up controversy from those who feed on wedge-issues.
After all these years of thoroughly discredited positions and politically-divisive advice, why does anyone, who is not already on their mailing list, care what The Family Research Council says?
We all are. Have at it.
However, we're also free to point and laugh at the wailing and gnashing of teeth by the poor, oppressed majority when people make other choices or have other beliefs.
Ultimately, you're the only ones who care about saying "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays"--pretty much everyone is happy with either--and you don't have the right to force others to share your silly outrage.
I find this kind of complaining very similar to my two children whining about having to share and take turns.
"She won't play my game with me!!!"
"I want to be first!!!"
Of COURSE you can wish others a "Merry Christmas." I do so all the time, if I can reasonably presume that they are likely to be celebrating Christmas. And if someone else wishes me a "Happy Hanukkah!" or "Happy Kwanzaa!" I won't be offended, even though I don't celebrate those holidays. But the fact is, my friends who KNOW me, know that I celebrate Christmas, not Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, and are therefore likely to wish me a "Merry Christmas," because...well...would you wish someone a "Happy Birthday" when it wasn't their birthday? It makes no sense. It's not meant unkindly, but it would be pretty silly to go around wishing people a happy celebration of something they aren't actually celebrating.
Do you call people in England on July 4 and wish them a "Happy Fourth of July?" Do you send "Happy Anniversary" cards to your divorced friends on what would have been their wedding anniversary?
The fact is, stores and other vendors are selling goods and services. They are dealing with many people who believe many different things. If they are selling the things you feel you need in order to happily celebrate the holiday of your choice, why would you expect that they would also decorate their store exclusively in honor of your holiday? Why would you expect their greeters to greet EVERYONE who walks in the door exclusively with the greeting which pertains to your holiday? And do you really think they should be able to discern the religious beliefs of every person who walks into their store and greet each of them according to the holiday of their preference? What's wrong with a generic greeting, or no holiday reference at all? They are catering exclusively to you, nor should they be required to do so.
Enjoy your holiday. Celebrate it to the fullest. But stop thinking that the world resolves around you and that EVERYONE should recognize whatever you are celebrating and conform to your personal wishes. Maybe think more about others. Wish them a happy whatever-they-may-be-celebrating. Get outside your self for a few minutes and realize that the world doesn't revolve around you. Isn't thinking about others and acting out Jesus' love for the world what Christmas is supposed to be about?