Do the words “Merry Christmas” offend you? Go ahead and think about that for a minute. Ok. The answer is most likely, “No, those words do not offend me.” Fantastic! So why do you go and tell me that I cannot say that to people? Do we not live in America? Does the First Amendment in the Constitution (thanks to those who catch my careless errors) not guarantee me the freedom of speech? If someone tells me one more time, “Oh you can’t say ‘Merry Christmas because you will offend someone’” I am going to give them some Christmas wrath. Seriously, I will say “Merry Christmas” to whoever I want. Obviously I won’t say that to someone who has a Yakama on so stop getting all hot and bothered about it.
Have you ever met someone that celebrates Kwanza? I doubt it. Kwanza kind of seems like a knock-off of Hanukkah. Really, Kwanza is something that the United States just made up to say “Oh hey, you’re black and you should have your own holiday so try this.” Kwanza was created by Ron Karenga in 1966 and it means “first fruit” (check out Wikipedia). So I think maybe I should make my own holiday and call it K-C Holiday and it has to be during the same time as Christmas just so people that have the initials “K C” can be recognized. This seems ridiculous, kind of like Kwanza.
Everyone wants to be recognized for something and with something. Well guess what! The world isn’t perfect. A lot of people do great things in their lifetime and don’t get recognized. Why can’t we just accept that there are some things like Christmas that is meant for everyone to celebrate despite the religious aspects. Obviously a Jewish family or Muslim family will not celebrate Christmas due to their own religion but they have their own special holiday.
I am really surprised that in the malls they haven’t put a menorah or a Kwanza candle thing in there yet. Better yet, I’m surprised they haven’t taken away Santa Claus because that is only showing one holiday and the malls are not being diverse enough.
My main point here is if I want to say “Merry Christmas” when I go shop during the holiday time don’t give me attitude and tell me I might offend someone. I think if people that are working want to say “Merry Christmas” to customers they should be allowed to if that is what they celebrate. If the employee celebrates Hanukkah, Boxing Day, or K-C holiday, they should be able to say “have a happy/merry/nice…” without anyone getting offended. Life would be so much simpler if people wouldn’t get offended about stupid little things or trying to be politically correct. We should start teaching this in schools: don’t get offended, people celebrate other holidays but it is okay for you to say what you want to. Of course that won’t happen because everyone wants to appease everyone. Well I am sick of it!
Have a freaking Merry Christmas!
Dude,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, freedom of speech is guaranteed under the FIRST amendment, not the second. the second amendment is the right to bear arms. Also, please don't cite wikipedia, that is childish. If you did that on a final paper you'd get an F. Anywho, you make some good points. I find our American way of recognizing the holidays at this time of year bassackwards. While we are taught not to say merry christmas but to say happy holidays while at the same time I go to the mall and I see nothing but christmas stuff, but I don't see any menorahs or ramadan stuff at all. Christmas in this country has lost its meaning and has now become about nothing but material possessions, which in life i find minimal compared to friends and family (and my health). I see your whole complaint here, no one at all should be forced to say happy holidays for PC purposes. I mean if you don't intend to offend someone, then well that's their problem. Personally, being the person i am who is open to multiple viewpoints, I'm a happy holidays kind of guy. But as a society no one should be forced into that, its a load of bull. Maybe this is an opportunity to appreciate the other holidays at this time of year. This is also an opportunity to realize the true meaning of christmas. Yes, as well as being a time to get new gifts (come on Sabres jersey!!!!), it is also a time to get together with family and to appreciate what you have, and to show your appreciation for your friends and family (by way of gifts and other things). So to you, I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
I agree with you man. It's ridiculous that people make have to say Happy Holidays. Saying Merry Christmas is not pushing christianity on anyone. I think saying Happy Holidays takes away from the true reason why this time of the year is different than other times of the year. Unfortunately this is one of many examples that shows that Christianity does not have the influence it once had in this country, and I think we are worse off because of it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Christmas is a time to be with family, and to appreciate what we have, but it is not the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas has nothing to do with Santa Claus, Christmas trees, presents. Those are all things that our culture has added to Christmas. Not that any of that is wrong, but our culture is a consumer culture and we are so materialistic that it takes away from the true meaning of Christmas. I think we all know or have heard the Christmas story, and I encourage us to read it and remember the real reason why this time of the year is different.
- Eric Erbelding