It's Christmas once again at Wal-Mart

[csds703]

Thank you, though I was only half kidding. When I was being raised in a Christian church, we were taught our strength comes from our relationship with the Lord. Not that our faith depended on some greeter at a superstore.

You would think so.

 

[LinasK]

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?

No, I think the greeters at Walmart and the rest of the world should use a generic "Happy Holidays" as a greetings instead of Merry Christmas since more than one religion celebrates a holiday during the month of December. Often my Christmas cards only say Happy Holiday because I am in an Interfaith marriage.

 

[IrishMist]

No, I think the greeters at Walmart and the rest of the world should use a generic "Happy Holidays" as a greetings instead of Merry Christmas since more than one religion celebrates a holiday during the month of December. Often my Christmas cards only say Happy Holiday because I am in an Interfaith marriage.

I prefer "Happy Holidays", too, because to me, it's inclusive instead of exclusive.

 

[LinasK]

That's what I think - as an atheist/agnostic/whatever. And I'll still shop there just like normal - it doesn't bug me at all.But here, I just need to give a correction - Christians have not used that date forever - pagans have. Druids, Roman holidays, all kinds of different bits - look it up.Pagans, no doubt, didn't see why they should have to accomodate Christians on a holiday that was based/founded in their own pagan religions.

I see no issue with Walmart - but I can also agree with wovc's point of view that a little understanding would be nice. Just accept that some will feel like outsiders with all the Merry Christmas stuff going around - doesn't mean it needs to change, and definitely doesn't change what you say and do (unless you choose to - or unless you work for the government) - but hey, what's wrong with accepting that it does make people who already know they are in the extreme minority, and not always a well tolerated minority, feel a bit more excluded?

If you are a store, have Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, whatever you want, whatever makes the most business sense or fits your personal beliefs.

But if we're talking about the government, remember we were founded to get away from state religions, and that a lot of atheists, agnostics, pagans, jews, muslims, buddists, hindus, and everything else have fought and died for this country, have worked to build this country, and don't exclude us.

Great post Details!:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[LinasK]

I won't stand up for a secular government. Does it really matter if the 10 commandments are in a court of law? It's not like they are used during trials or anything. Does it matter if schools offer a minute or two to pray? Those who don't believe in prayer can use those minutes to go over test notes or oogled their latest crushes. But those who do pray can use those minutes to pray for that test or to pray that their latest crushes are oogling them. :crazy: When it is all said and done, does it really matter?

I will and yes it does! It's called Separation of Church and State!

 

[LinasK]

The government should be secular.

Public praying in a public school, is not appropriate. There are religious schools for that. I attended one as a child.

No one stops anyone from silently praying in the course of a day if they choose to do so discreetly. Who would know?

Religious displays in public buildings are not appropriate. We are not a Christian nation.

We are a plurality. Religious freedom is what our country is founded on.

WOVC, I swear you are my soulmate- we see eye-to-eye on just about everything!:blowkiss:

 

[LinasK]

Because all of this "Merry Christmas" stuff has nothing to do with celebrating a religious holiday. It really has to do with prejudice against others' beliefs.
That's how I see it or else there wouldn't be a problem with wishing people a Happy Holiday and celebrating our stuff privately as we see fit.

Bingo! You've nailed the issue on the head!

 

[LinasK]

Good. I hope you'll defend the right of Christians to celebrate Christmas!!

Hey, Ntegrity first thing I ever agreed with you on! It's a miracle!

 

[Nova]

No, I think the greeters at Walmart and the rest of the world should use a generic "Happy Holidays" as a greetings instead of Merry Christmas since more than one religion celebrates a holiday during the month of December. Often my Christmas cards only say Happy Holiday because I am in an Interfaith marriage.

Mine say "Happy Holidays," too, because - and I know this will be shocking to some people - many of my friends celebrate other holidays during this time of year. So far, it really hasn't been a problem for me.

Seems like we could have a very simple rule of thumb: if you know someone well enough to know his or her holiday traditions, then by all means wish him or her a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Channukah" or whatever is appropriate for that person.

If you don't know someone that well, then have enough respect for the possibility of diversity to wish him or her "Happy Holidays."

There is not a store greeter on the planet who knows me well enough to "divine" which holiday(s) I celebrate, so if the good wishes are sincere, "Happy Holidays" should suffice.

Then, once this simple rule has been universally adopted, we can all take a deep breath and accept that people will occasionally make mistakes.

 

[LinasK]

Mine say "Happy Holidays," too, because - and I know this will be shocking to some people - many of my friends celebrate other holidays during this time of year. So far, it really hasn't been a problem for me.

Seems like we could have a very simple rule of thumb: if you know someone well enough to know his or her holiday traditions, then by all means wish him or her a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Channukah" or whatever is appropriate for that person.

If you don't know someone that well, then have enough respect for the possibility of diversity to wish him or her "Happy Holidays."

There is not a store greeter on the planet who knows me well enough to "divine" which holiday(s) I celebrate, so if the good wishes are sincere, "Happy Holidays" should suffice.

Then, once this simple rule has been universally adopted, we can all take a deep breath and accept that people will occasionally make mistakes.

Yes, Nova this is what I've been trying:banghead: to convey. By all means wish the people that you know well their Holiday. But don't assume that all strangers are Christian and appreciate being wished Merry Christmas.

 

[cappuccina]

...I do not want to have to keep posting material on the separation of church and state and why this is a cornerstone of this country...

Please take a civics course, or check out material on the library, or go on the internet if you are not understnading this...

No, we cannot have Jesus in our courtrooms, public school classrooms, or Santa on the Supreme Court, OK?

Y'all can worship plastic fruit if you'd like, and can believe that Dolly Parton is the latest reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, and Jon Stewart is Jesus, but these beliefs HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT, OR IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE...

Yanno President Kennedy was a Catholic, and understood this perfectly well... (see my siggy quote below...)

 

[Nova]

Yes, Nova this is what I've been trying:banghead: to convey. By all means wish the people that you know well their Holiday. But don't assume that all strangers are Christian and appreciate being wished Merry Christmas.

Sorry, Linas, you have been perfectly clear. *I* should have been clear that I was quoting your post in solidarity, not because I was arguing with you.

 

[LinasK]

Sorry, Linas, you have been perfectly clear. *I* should have been clear that I was quoting your post in solidarity, not because I was arguing with you.

No, no, no. I know you're one of my buddies, the banging head is the frustration I feel trying to convey my point.

 

[csds703]

...I do not want to have to keep posting material on the separation of church and state and why this is a cornerstone of this country...

Please take a civics course, or check out material on the library, or go on the internet if you are not understnading this...

No, we cannot have Jesus in our courtrooms, public school classrooms, or Santa on the Supreme Court, OK?

Y'all can worship plastic fruit if you'd like, and can believe that Dolly Parton is the latest reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, and Jon Stewart is Jesus, but these beliefs HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT, OR IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE...

Yanno President Kennedy was a Catholic, and understood this perfectly well... (see my siggy quote below...)

Plastic fruit????????? This cracked me up..

Seriously, I don't understand why this concept is so hard to understand for some people.
NOBODY IS TRYING TO TAKE CHRISTMAS AWAY!
Please celebrate anyway you see fit, just don't ASSUME that I share your customs or beliefs.
OY ALREADY!

 

[Nova]

...I do not want to have to keep posting material on the separation of church and state and why this is a cornerstone of this country...

Please take a civics course, or check out material on the library, or go on the internet if you are not understnading this...

No, we cannot have Jesus in our courtrooms, public school classrooms, or Santa on the Supreme Court, OK?

Y'all can worship plastic fruit if you'd like, and can believe that Dolly Parton is the latest reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, and Jon Stewart is Jesus, but these beliefs HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT, OR IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE...

Yanno President Kennedy was a Catholic, and understood this perfectly well... (see my siggy quote below...)

Santa on SCOTUS, Dolly is the Virgin Mary! Cappy gets my vote for funniest post of the day! :clap:

(But, Cappy, don't you DARE start in on my sacred, plastic banana!)

 

[Ntegrity]

Hey, Ntegrity first thing I ever agreed with you on! It's a miracle!

Actually, it's the second ... but who's counting?

 

[Dark Knight]

...I do not want to have to keep posting material on the separation of church and state and why this is a cornerstone of this country...

Please take a civics course, or check out material on the library, or go on the internet if you are not understnading this...

No, we cannot have Jesus in our courtrooms, public school classrooms, or Santa on the Supreme Court, OK?

Y'all can worship plastic fruit if you'd like, and can believe that Dolly Parton is the latest reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, and Jon Stewart is Jesus, but these beliefs HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT, OR IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE...

Yanno President Kennedy was a Catholic, and understood this perfectly well... (see my siggy quote below...)

It's people like you and Linas and other who have taken it beyond this, though, to where it has become Freedom FROM Religion instead of Freedom OF Religion, and even some Federal Judges have called these efforts "tiresome" because they are so far reaching. We have a right to express our beliefs in the public arena, but it's hard to sympathise with your point of view when some people like Linas cannot even stand to be told Merry Christmas or God Bless You. That's intolerance every bit as much as what believers are being accused of. Hide it all you want, but that attitide is very much intolerant. I, like others have said, am not offended when someone wishes me Happy Hannukah. That makes us far more tolerant of others beliefs, now doesn't it. Now, don't go around stealing the baby Jesus from our manger scenes or I'll have to smite ya! :slap:

 

[Dark Knight]

Actually, it's the second ... but who's counting?

I even agreed with a couple people on here, but I am not admitting it as it might kill them, LOL!

 

[Dark Knight]

It certainly has. What the heck is wrong with Christians anyway? Whiniest crowd on the planet, with the possible exception of Muslims.

One would think Christians were still being fed to the lions, not just being asked to acknowledge that this is a diverse country with many different traditions and beliefs.

Nope, it's the Jews and the Athiests who caused this anti-Christmas mess I just betcha, so they are the whiniest! And the gays, too! (Is this really a road you wanna go down?)

 

[Ntegrity]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

It's people like you and Linas and other who have taken it beyond this, though, to where it has become Freedom FROM Religion instead of Freedom OF Religion, and even some Federal Judges have called these efforts "tiresome" because they are so far reaching. We have a right to express our beliefs in the public arena, but it's hard to sympathise with your point of view when some people like Linas cannot even stand to be told Merry Christmas or God Bless You. That's intolerance every bit as much as what believers are being accused of. Hide it all you want, but that attitide is very much intolerant. I, like others have said, am not offended when someone wishes me Happy Hannukah. That makes us far more tolerant of others beliefs, now doesn't it.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Now, don't go around stealing the baby Jesus from our manger scenes or I'll have to smite ya! :slap: