It's Christmas once again at Wal-Mart

[IrishMist]

If it interferes with someone's freedom OF religion, you have no Constitutional right to freedom FROM religion. Only freedom OF religion is mentioned in the Constitution. You cannot force worship into homes and churches. The fact that you want to shows your intolerance, and doesn't help your "cause" any.

And you know darn well you read my posts anyways! :slap:

The Constitution doesn't grant you rights. It assumes that all of us have inalienable rights. Some specific ones that the framers thought to be highly important were spelled out. See the Ninth Amendment.

Freedom OF religion includes freedom FROM religion.

And to further this line of questioning, what rights do elementary-age children have?

 

[IrishMist]

Me again.. my bad :slap:

I didn't quote you, because I didn't want to jump on you, I was just wondering why another poster jumped all over Narla, but let this comment slide.

 

[IrishMist]

Actually, my kids DO come home from (public) school with plastic menorahs, folded paper dreidels and colorful worksheets detailing Kwanzaa and Hannukah celebrations. Never, ever have they brought home any material whatsoever, that speaks of Christmas or Christian traditions. On some levels, I find that pretty offensive.

I don't really have a problem with schools teaching the cultural differences between different religions. I just think they should include all major religions. Even though I find the exclusion of Christianity or Christmas in the school's holiday curriculum to be offensive, I say nothing to my children about my feelings. In the name of tolerance, I try to focus on the fact that they are learning information that will help them develop into considerate adults who are tolerant and inclusive to people of different faiths.

For the record, I am vehemently opposed to public schools PROMOTING religion in any form. Religion belongs in the home, the church, the temple or synagogue, and the shrine. I have Jewish friends who send me Christmas cards. I send them Happy Hannukah cards. I wish them peace and serenity on Yom Kippur. If I had Muslim friends, I'd take some time to learn about their holidays and would offer them the appropriate sentiments. I certainly wouldn't about anyone else's celebration or make a big deal out of someone making a few well meaning or innocuous assumptions about my beliefs. That's just tacky and mean spirited, in my opinion.

Excellent post, Natasha. And well said.

 

[Ntegrity]

I didn't quote you, because I didn't want to jump on you, I was just wondering why another poster jumped all over Narla, but let this comment slide.

I don't think I "jumped all over Narla." I simply said it was rude to belittle another person's religious beliefs. And I stand by that comment.

 

[IdahoMom]

I so agree with you! Why no Christmas celebration when they have the others, I don't understand that?

...because Christmas isn't "PC".

IMO, of course.

 

[CyberLaw]

Well I am not going to say "Merry Christmas" to someone we know that is not of a "Christian" belief.

Nor am I going to ask" what religion" are you" to say the proper greeting.

Nor am I assuming that all people in a country are all Christian.

So to be polite, respectful, not ingnorant, and not offend anyone, I say "Happy Holidays" which the person can construe as "Happy" Holidays" in their religious beliefs.

It just shows repect to all human beings on this planet who are not "Christian". Also it does not "promote" one religion over another.

It also show "sensitivity" to the fact that I respect cultural and religious diversity.

 

[IdahoMom]

Well I am not going to say "Merry Christmas" to someone we know that is not of a "Christian" belief.

Nor am I going to ask" what religion" are you" to say the proper greeting.

Nor am I assuming that all people in a country are all Christian.

So to be polite, respectful, not ingnorant, and not offend anyone, I say "Happy Holidays" which the person can construe as "Happy" Holidays" in their religious beliefs.

It just shows repect to all human beings on this planet who are not "Christian". Also it does not "promote" one religion over another.

It also show "sensitivity" to the fact that I respect cultural and religious diversity.

CyberLaw-
I agree completely. I always say "Happy Holidays", too. It doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution, and why offend someone if we don't have to?

 

[windovervocalcords]

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

Do you live in the US?

How can you say Christians are not allowed to celebrate Christmas in the US?. That is ridiculous. Last time I looked this was not a right that needed defending.

Christmas is EVERYWHERE from the beginning of November until January. Christmas dominates TV, radio and every retail outlet on the planet.

Churches and charities are busy as elves.

I do not see the oppression of Christians unless it is the Christians who believe the holiday is pagan, as my co-worker does. And in her case, SHE is the oppressed.

 

[windovervocalcords]

...because Christmas isn't "PC".

IMO, of course.

Christmas is not PC. That is silly.

Merry Christmas to you.

What is going on in my office is not PC. I also do not think it is even in the spirit of Christmas, as I an outsider, understand it.

 

[PaperDoll]

I didn't quote you, because I didn't want to jump on you, I was just wondering why another poster jumped all over Narla, but let this comment slide.

hehe, thanks Irish no harm done on this end. I just got caught up in the moment of all this... MakeShift might have been a bit harsh of a word on my part .. I'm not really good with how I word things.. Hubby tells me this all the time.. :crazy:

 

[IdahoMom]

Christmas is not PC. That is silly.

Merry Christmas to you.

What is going on in my office is not PC. I also do not think it is even in the spirit of Christmas, as I an outsider, understand it.

Thank you for the well wishes. Merry Christmas right back at ya.

First- that's my opinion, so no need to get snippy. You have a right to your opinion, as I have a right to mine.

Second- I personally believe in Christmas, and I think it's BUNK that Christmas cannot be celebrated by those that want to celebrate it. If the other holidays are allowed to be observed, why not Christmas? It's political correctness run amuck. IMO, of course. :blowkiss:

 

[windovervocalcords]

Thank you for the well wishes. Merry Christmas right back at ya.

First- that's my opinion, so no need to get snippy. You have a right to your opinion, as I have a right to mine.

Second- I personally believe in Christmas, and I think it's BUNK that Christmas cannot be celebrated by those that want to celebrate it. If the other holidays are allowed to be observed, why not Christmas? It's political correctness run amuck. IMO, of course. :blowkiss:

No one is stopping you from celebrating Christmas. I don't think its particularly Christian charitable to be purposely unkind and crabby to people who do not celebrate Christmas.

Even other Christians who think Christmas is pagan holiday.

I do not celebrate Christmas. I will take your merry wish at its highest value. I suppose it doesn't matter to you that I honestly wish you happiness and joy for your holiday.

I also hate how this plays out in my office. It is offensive. And it makes me feel snippy sometimes.

 

[IdahoMom]

No one is stopping you from celebrating Christmas. I don't think its particularly Christian charitable to be purposely unkind and crabby to people who do not celebrate Christmas.

Even other Christians who think Christmas is pagan holiday.

I have dear friends that are Jewish. I love them and I respect they have their belief system as I have mine.

Who is being particularly uncharitable?

 

[SadieMae]

No one is stopping you from celebrating Christmas. I don't think its particularly Christian charitable to be purposely unkind and crabby to people who do not celebrate Christmas.

Even other Christians who think Christmas is pagan holiday.

That's true...that's where it started.

 

[windovervocalcords]

I have dear friends that are Jewish. I love them and I respect they have their belief system as I have mine.

Who is being particularly uncharitable?

Read the story of what goes on at my office a few posts back. I am not Jewish. I have many close Jewish friends and they are outwardly gracious to Christians. We have intimate conversations where they share more complex feelings about how they feel during the Christmas season.

 

[packerdog]

There will always be some that are not thankful on Thanksgiving.
There will always be some that are not merry on Christmas.

I was born christmas day so I am always merry.

 

[IdahoMom]

Read the story of what goes on at my office a few posts back. I am not Jewish. I have many close Jewish friends and they are outwardly gracious to Christians. We have intimate conversations where they share more complex feelings about how they feel during the Christmas season.

There must be a way for everyone to coexist peacefully. I think it starts with people respecting each other's belief systems.

I respect your belief system, WOV.

 

[windovervocalcords]

There must be a way for everyone to coexist peacefully. I think it starts with people respecting each other's belief systems.

I respect your belief system, WOV.

I say let the Christmas merriment be merry and simply be aware that we live in a plurality culturally and religiously.

If you know someone does not celebrate Christmas then just be happy that you do and allow the other individual to hold to their own traditions as you do yours.

Don't make them participate. You can invite them to or listen if they tell you why that would be uncomfortable for them.

Its very easy. Its a case by case thing. Doesn't need legislation. We have a great constitution and freedom of religion. Lets all enjoy it.

Thank you for respecting my tradition even if I have not declared it publically.

 

[IdahoMom]

I say let the Christmas merriment be merry and simply be aware that we live in a plurality culturally and religiously.

If you know someone does not celebrate Christmas then just be happy that you do and allow the other individual to hold to their own traditions as you do yours.

Don't make them participate. You can invite them to or listen if they tell you why that would be uncomfortable for them.

Its very easy. Its a case by case thing. Doesn't need legislation. We have a great constitution and freedom of religion. Lets all enjoy it.

Thank you for respecting my tradition even if I have not declared it publically.

Good post!

 

[Maral]

There must be a way for everyone to coexist peacefully. I think it starts with people respecting each other's belief systems.

I respect your belief system, WOV.

Amen!