It's Christmas once again at Wal-Mart

[LinasK]

Great post!! If someone wished me Happy Hanukkah I would not be offended at all. I would accept it with the spirit in which it was intended. No need to turn everything into a big stink, just say "thank you" or return with your own well wish, religious or not.

Except that I don't like the majority assuming everyone including me is Christian- the greeter at Walmart doesn't know my religion, nor should he! I also don't like strangers telling me "God Bless You" Why does it have to be personalized? It's a Holiday Season- other people are out buying presents too, NOT just for Christmas, it should be a generalized Happy Holidays- not the exclusivity of the expression "Merry Christmas"! Nobody is taking your celebration away from you- but I don't want it forced on me. I'll pick and chose my own traditions.

 

[FullHouse]

Paid Holidays: just curious what peoples employers concider a holiday and pay you for.

I know some corporations don't concider Easter and Christmas as holiday because it is a religious event. With that in mind, the same corporations will close their stores for part or all of the day and some will pay employees at a holiday rate.

It's all very confusing. I do understand including everyone, that some have to tolerate others beliefs and not find a place to shop or dine when a religious holiday is just another day to them.

Sorry I think I confused myself.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Great post!! If someone wished me Happy Hanukkah I would not be offended at all. I would accept it with the spirit in which it was intended. No need to turn everything into a big stink, just say "thank you" or return with your own well wish, religious or not.

That's exactly as I take it. Simple. It's the spirit in which it was intended. There are far worse things that a person could say or do to me that would offend me, other than assuming I practice one religion over another in the month of December.

 

[Ntegrity]

Except that I don't like the majority assuming everyone including me is Christian- the greeter at Walmart doesn't know my religion, nor should he! I also don't like strangers telling me "God Bless You" Why does it have to be personalized? It's a Holiday Season- other people are out buying presents too, NOT just for Christmas, it should be a generalized Happy Holidays- not the exclusivity of the expression "Merry Christmas"! Nobody is taking your celebration away from you- but I don't want it forced on me. I'll pick and chose my own traditions.

I don't ask someone's religion before saying "God bless you" when they sneeze. I wonder how many people I've offended by that. :waitasec:

Maybe you should adopt an attitude of "live and let live." Or maybe wear a sign saying "I do not celebrate Christmas, so don't wish me a merry one." I really don't see how those things are harming you. Good grief.

 

[Paladin]

I applaud this move. I seriously tire of what I call political over-correctness. This is a step back in the right direction.

 

[cappuccina]

...nauseated by Wal-Mart and embarassed all of the ridiculous spending that goes on in the name of Christmas...

 

[windovervocalcords]

I'm going to re-quote myself here from another thread for the benefit of you in the Christian majority who feel you have to force your religion on us others, rather than doing us the common courtesy of Happy Holidays (F.Y.I. when wished a Merry Christmas, I respond with "Happy Holidays"!)

Keep in mine people Winter is not only the Christmas season (I take exception to the signs and banners stating that Jesus is the Reason for the Season). Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali are all also celebrated in December, which is probably why Christmas used to be a pagan holiday- Winter Solstice!

Thank you.

At work, there are two of us who do not celebrate Christmas per se. I say per se because it is overwhelming offered everywhere at this time. It can hardly be avoided.

The other person who does not celebrate Christmas is a Christian. She feels it is a pagan holiday and she is mortified each year when the whole thing feels forced on her.

I don't have hugely strong feelings against Christmas. I am not a Christian. But even in my spiritual community we celebrate it "culturally". We have a party and feast. We play a "gift game". It's lighthearted. Some of our community were raised Jewish and we also acknowledge Hanukah.

I am sorry it angers Christians that they feel they need to acknowledge their fellow community who do not relate to their holiday in the same way with all this talk of "political correctness".

What is wrong with having some cultural sensitivity? We are not all alike.

I surrender to the Christmas season. For those who it makes happy, I enjoy and delight in your happiness. Merry Christmas to all of you. May Christmas bring out your best qualities.

For those, who do not have perfect families or money for presents and who feel sad at this time, I remember and can relate. Some of us have lost relatives or never had them in the first place and feel sad. May whatever brings you comfort be available in this season.

And for those of us who do not celebrate Christmas I am in your family. May we have big minds and hearts toward the majority while we honor our own truth and traditions.
May all benefit.

 

[Sundayrain]

I don't ask someone's religion before saying "God bless you" when they sneeze. I wonder how many people I've offended by that. :waitasec:

Maybe you should adopt an attitude of "live and let live." Or maybe wear a sign saying "I do not celebrate Christmas, so don't wish me a merry one." I really don't see how those things are harming you. Good grief.

Gosh, forever......I have said "God Bless You" and now......in this day and age it is not alright?.......Plllllllease. It is just to much for me to comprehend.
Yikes......I think the people who hate to celebrate should do that Ntegrity (I agree with you)...wear a shirt that says.....I Don't Wanna!!! Then we won't offend anyone.
Christmas has been a "family" tradition for a hundred years.......
We love to see lights, and play the music, have gatherings.....if others don't want to join in then so be it.
My dentist I had was Jewish, he put up Christmas decorations.....
I just love how happy people are......and the music......and the childrens hopes and dreams. There eyes when they look at the Christmas scene, as it grows each year......I only see happiness in Christmas.
Others who have a holiday of their own......I'm sure have a great time on their day. That is wonderful for them........
But, Christmas needs to be as it has always been......with no one changing it. It means "Memories".......and that should not be touched.

 

[windovervocalcords]

Except that I don't like the majority assuming everyone including me is Christian- the greeter at Walmart doesn't know my religion, nor should he! I also don't like strangers telling me "God Bless You" Why does it have to be personalized? It's a Holiday Season- other people are out buying presents too, NOT just for Christmas, it should be a generalized Happy Holidays- not the exclusivity of the expression "Merry Christmas"! Nobody is taking your celebration away from you- but I don't want it forced on me. I'll pick and chose my own traditions.

Good luck on that viewpoint Lina--

You're gonna get run over by Santa's sled if you're not careful. It's Christmas for petes sake. Celebrate it or else!

Bill O'Reilly has your home phone number.

 

[Ntegrity]

Should I be offended by Martin Luther King Day since I'm a caucasian?

 

[Ntegrity]

What is wrong with having some cultural sensitivity? We are not all alike.

How would you suggest we accomplish that? Should we forbid everyone to utter the words Merry Christmas?

 

[windovervocalcords]

How would you suggest we accomplish that? Should we forbid everyone to utter the words Merry Christmas?

Are you in a bad mood?

 

[Ntegrity]

No, not at all. I just don't understand what would make you, LinasK, and others who agree with you, happy in this regard. It's a serious question. Should the rest of us hide our Christmas spirit because you find it offensive?

 

[narlacat]

I can't see where Wind said she found it offensive, I found her above post to be quite diplomatic.

As much as I dislike Christmas, I don't mind people saying Merry Christmas to me....or hearing crappy Christmas music whilst shopping.
It just is.
I just get in, do what I have to do and pray for it all to be over lol

Christmas is one big commercial nightmare.

 

[windovervocalcords]

No, not at all. I just don't understand what would make you, LinasK, and others who agree with you, happy in this regard. It's a serious question. Should the rest of us hide our Christmas spirit because you find it offensive?

Please read my post again. I never said I find your Christmas spirit or anyone elses "offensive." In fact, I have already said Merry Christmas. And I acknowledged the other folks who do not celebrate Christmas.

I find Fox News creating culture wars at Christmas offensive.

As for your serious question. Its a small thing to be a bit patient and to try to see what it feels like to be on the other side of this holiday.

It is a simple thing to determine to be quietly aware that there are other people you relate to in your world who do not celebrate Christmas. That's all it takes. Its an inner experience being culturally sensitive. Its an attitude of kindness toward others, not just your fellow Christians.

When you have friends who are not Christmas celebrators ask them how they experience the season. That's all.

There is no need to make a political or cultural war over it.

 

[BarnGoddess]

My favorite Christmas song is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" as Manheim Steamroller did it - just gorgeous. Some of the others - depends on how they are done. I worked in a jewelry store for one christmas with little fake bells making piercing fake bell tones to the first 10-20 notes of a bunch of Jingle Bells and such, over and over and over again. It was bad enough the first time!

Well done, Christmas music can be great - done badly, and it'll chase you out of the store!

Wow, I've got several Manheim Steamroller albums. The first time I ever heard them was on Rush Limbaugh. I only listen to Rush for as long as it takes me to make the company deposit. My very favorite Christmas music.

BTW, if you get RFD-TV on your dish, they usually run their videos all day. It's a real treat.

Hey !!!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO THANKSGIVING? On Halloween I stopped in our little Safeway and they had candy and Halloween items. The next day those specialty shelves were filled with Christmas items.

 

[windovervocalcords]

Most Jews (even many highly assimilated Jews) are uncomfortable about Christmas. We don't object to Christians celebrating Christmas, but we don't particularly want to celebrate it ourselves, and there is enormous social pressure to celebrate Christmas, whether we want to or not. As one Jewish writer said, "just try telling a Christmas enthusiast that the creche in front of your post office makes you un-easy; suddenly, 'frosty' describes more than just the snowman." Many secular Christians have told me that Christmas is my holiday too, and some of them get very angry or even nasty when I tell them that I don't want to celebrate it, calling me "Grinch" or "Scrooge." I have no doubt that before this Christmas season is over, I will receive a few emails telling me that I should celebrate Christmas; I get them every year.
http://www.jewfaq.org/xmas.htm

 

[MREG2]

Should I be offended by Martin Luther King Day since I'm a caucasian?

Yes, and by heck why aren't you? :crazy:

And I'm offended by Arbor Day because those d*mn trees cause my allergies to act up.

And my friend is offended by Valentine's Day because she doesn't have a Valentine.

Might as well get rid of all the freakin holidays. That's what is going to happen sooner or later. God forbid...we don't want to "force" anything on anyone. To heck with the "you can't please everyone all the time"...... :banghead:

 

[windovervocalcords]

Yes, and by heck why aren't you? :crazy:

And I'm offended by Arbor Day because those d*mn trees cause my allergies to act up.

And my friend is offended by Valentine's Day because she doesn't have a Valentine.

Might as well get rid of all the freakin holidays. That's what is going to happen sooner or later. God forbid...we don't want to "force" anything on anyone. To heck with the "you can't please everyone all the time"...... :banghead:

What causes this overreaction?

Last year people were mad that Walmart had "Happy Holiday" signs up instead of Merry Christmas. This year the Merry Christmas signs are back.

 

[Nova]

...nauseated by Wal-Mart and embarassed all of the ridiculous spending that goes on in the name of Christmas...

Can't you just see Him overturning tables laden with Xmas crap?