Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? The Debate begins

Filipe

Wow I really seem to have a knack for creating topics for debating amongst ourselves, or just adding to one in my own way. Anyways, so you might be wondering what this is all about since dont they usually go together anyway? Well usually they do, but it has become something more than that considering people are actually refusing to shop at stores unless they use Merry Christmas solely. Christian groups are boycotting certain stores like Walmart because their greeters, cashiers and the like choose to use the line "Happy Holidays" rather than the more traditional "Merry Christmas". They do have a fairly good point that this whole season is based around Christmas which is in fact a christian holiday. The stores also have a point that it's not the only holiday going on during that time, and so they can include everyone they say Happy Holidays. So the question now becomes do you think they are right to do so, complaining about the phrase these commercial institutions are using? Or are they just completely out of their minds, and need to get the idea through their heads that it's a multicultural society, and other religions should be included in greetings?

Personally as someone of the Christian faith I do believe that it should be considered the main greeting for the holidays. However I am also of the belief that stores should have the right to choose whatever line they want to for their greeters. Christian groups have the right to boycott whoever they want, and it the choice of these department stores, and the like to change to fit it, or to not change. That is within the rights of both groups, but is either side wrong for doing so? I think the Christian groups should mind their own buisiness, considering they have the right to say whatever they like when greeting their customers. If you dont like what they are saying just dont go to those stores, really thats all that should take place shouldnt it? In regards to the stores themselves, it's a little different because then it depends on the market they are in for individual stores. If they are in a location that has a heavy Christian base, then obviously from a financial standpoint, it wouldnt be a smart buisiness move to not appease them. Then in cases where the populace for that particular store is more diverse in their religious practices, it's really up to them which to take. They could even go with both, to appease both sides, but then again will either side truly be happy with that?

Anyways this isnt really to stir up arguments, but rather considering it's Holiday time, and I like making debate threads among other things it seemed to fit. In case there isnt a Christmas thread made later, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and a Happy Holidays. See how simply this could be sorted out? But of course thats not what we are debating are we?
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Loran Cehack · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:03 am Post subject:

I don't see why this is a big deal, it's all meaningless crap. I don't care about either side of this argument as neither has a legitimate point.

Seriously, if this is at the top of the list of somebody's concerns they should really rethink their lives, and if somebody is actually offended by Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas they need to end themselves now.
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Its A Catapult · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:34 am Post subject:

Hawk Thanatos · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:55 am Post subject:

Seriously who has the time to get pissed off at crap like this? Who cares whether they say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays they don't actually care they just want you to buy the worthless crap they're selling.

Ley · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:

I don't se how Christians can just hijack a time of year and call it their own, when it's common knowledge that Christmas isn't even when Jesus Christ was born. The season was hijacked from the other religions.

Before Jesus was even born it was called many things. The feast of the Son of Isis was celebrated on December 25th in Ancient Babylon, the Romans celebrated Saturnalia during Winter, Pagans had Yule. Christmas is just a stolen holiday, so no-one has the right to force anyone to wish a "Merry Christmas".
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Can anyone tell I'm bored?

Camus the Noble · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:39 am Post subject:

Personally, I think that the stores should wish people "Happy Holidays." That way, no one is offended unless they try to be offended, like the James Dobsons and Jerry Falwells of this world. This gives them an excuse to ram their brand of radical Christianity down everyone's throat. The best part? So many non-radical Christians will follow them, because these radicals cast themselves of defenders of Christianity. And for a lot of people, thinking stops when they hear the word "Christianity," or any variation thereof. And after thinking stops, they become mindless drones, willing to serve Dobson or Falwell or whoever.

And please don't take that as meaning all Christians are mindless drones. Just the follwers of Dobson and co.

The point of the argument is this.
When people say "Merry Christmas," people get mad at them being exclusive.

When it's "Happy Holidays," people will get mad at inclusivity.

Now, which side has a more valid argument?

John Layfield · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

Viktor2008 · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:47 am Post subject:

Well yeah I agree with yall to. It is just a waste of breath fighting about it. I just dont see the big deal about someone saying "Merry Christmas" and then someone making such a big thing about it. I think its just nonsense myself.

Camus the Noble · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:05 am Post subject:

Tony Stark · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:21 pm Post subject:

I've never actually met anyone who cared whether someone said Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. I know several full-on Jewish people, and they honestly do not care when people wish them a Merry Christmas. It's not even a denominational holiday anymore, I think. I've only known a few people that have celebrated Kwanza, but none of them minded either. It's generally saying the same thing, though I can see how saying Merry (or in some cases Happy) Christmas would appear insensitive, no one really cares. I personally don't say either much, but when I do say one I try to say Happy Holidays, only because I guilt myself into thinking it is insensitive to say otherwise. But deep down, I know that no one cares.
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Barbarossa Rugner · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject:

Yea i am also pretty indifferent on the matter. When i am going places i don't care if someone tells me Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, or anything at all for that matter. I am a big Cristmas person and i enjoy basically everything about the Holidays. I enjoy the christmas trees, putting up lights, cold weather, getting gifts, and listening to christmas music. Although i don't enjoy the traffic or the over crowed malls just to name a couple of things. What someone greets me with isn't going to change my opinion of my favorite holiday. Personally i too am a Catholic and i have my beliefs of how Chistmas should be treated and celebrated, but it stops right there. If someone asks my opinion on what i think i will tell them, but there is no need to campaign against different traditions. Everyone has their beliefs and it is very rare you will say something to change those beliefs.

I agree with the other posters here when i say that this is a pretty pointless debate. We could do this about a lot of things in everyday life, much less something as big as Christmas. If something as small as a greeting offends you then you don't have your priorities straight. Christmas should be a happy time. Yes it has become a commericial feeding frenzy, but it still should be a time of family gatherings and happiness.

So i say everyone goes out and buys their little gifts for whoever they want too and be grateful you can celebrate Christmas at all. :D
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The Rune on my Sword, the Dragon King Sword, is protected against any form of magic, Even the rune of the Gate - Barbarossa Rugner

Futch · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:00 pm Post subject:

If somebody snaps at you for telling him/her "Happy Holidays" rather than the more traditional "Merry Christmas" or the other way around, or anything like it for that matter... They don't deserve your attention in the first place, they are self centered jerks who deserve coal as a gift *laugh*

I really don't see a debate here, luckily, our forum members are pretty rational fellows who just don't take this matter too seriously.

Im pretty amazed by the fact that people are complaining about the phrase commercial institutions use, I can assure you that.
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DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Loran Cehack · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject:

If you really want to mess with them say Merry Xmas. It pisses them both off.
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Ninjar · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:

RedCydranth · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

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