Non-christian Mothers... Is Christmas REALLY That Offensive?

I think it SUCKS. The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, so why should we, the majority, have to cater to those who do not believe in Christmas? This country is going to continue to go down the tubes if we keep having to change everything just to please a small percentage of people. It's time for the majority to take a stand and say no more to this baloney. If you want to live here, then you have to accept the majority's beliefs.

Just my 2 cents,

M.

I have to agree with you completely. I think if employees want to say Merry Christmas, they should be allowed to and not forced to say Happy Holidays because it might offend someone. We are such a wimpy country, always so afraid we'll offend someone that we opt to offend others for the sake of a few. I don't get it. It's CHRISTMAS. If it offends you, OK, but don't screw it up for the rest of us. Cities ought to be allowed to put up decorations without fear, stores should be able to allow their workers to wish someone Merry Christmas and have Christmas trees displayed. It's crazy. Is there any other country that bends so quickly as not to offend someone? Would I be allowed to FORCE the country of Saudi Arabia, for instance, to accommodate me and my beliefs or would they show me the quickest way home? AND DON'T MISREAD ME, I'm not saying ship these people out of the country I'm just saying don't walk around on eggshells constantly afraid of what we say/do.

I actually really like Shira's response. I don't think it's that there is a problem with Christmas, but rather the assumption that it seems the majority makes that EVERYONE celebrates christmas. I think the upset feelings that people are feeling by the "disappearance of christmas" (which I find hard to believe because it is still everywhere, no matter what people say) is probably similar to the lack of representation of other peoples holidays at this time of year.

I can't speak for everyone but I will point out that the cultural atmosphere is different in different places. I noticed, with a certain degree of pleasure, earlier this week, during President Obama's press conference, that when a reporter started with "Merry Christmas", he responded "Merry Christmas". And when a reporter started with "Happy Holidays", he responded "Happy Holidays". Which I think wasn't random. I think it was acknowledging that different people have different needs or choices or emphasis.

I'm sorry that your community was apprently severely affected by this kind of accommodation to the needs of (probably) minority pressure.

However, for many years, certainly when I was growing up,
it was ASSUMED, in general, by the entire community,
that EVERYBODY celebrated Christmas,
that EVERYBODY went to church.

This was kind of difficult for kids who didn't celebrate Christmas
and/or who didn't go to church.

Some of the pressure nowadays is the pendulum swing
away from those days. A more comfortable accommodation,
the center of the pendulum swing, may happen in your lifetime.

I don't think it's "political correctness".
(First time I've ever disagreed with Page, BTW.)

I think the people who push for LESS Christmas in the general secular community are not OFFENDED by Christmas.
I think they are bothered by the apparently widely-yeld assumption
that EVERYBODY celebrates Christmas
Consider, even the people who DO celebrate Christmas
do so in very different ways.

Did you know the settlers in the Plimouth Colony outlawed Christmas celebrations because they didn't want drinking and revelry
on this solemn occasion?

Anyway, I'm sorry that the community situation in your city or town
seems negative to you. But I do hope we (Americans) can continue
to be aware of and considerate of the needs and sensitivities of ALL
the people, not just the (apparently) majority.

Hi R.,

I am Jewish and LOVE looking at all of the Christmas decorations. Every year, we do a breakfast with Santa (which we just did a couple weeks ago). Tomorrow, my family and I are going out to a Chinese restaurant (as we always do every Christmas, lol!), and then we are going to drive around neighborhoods and look at the pretty houses with the pretty Chirstmas lights. I also don't understand why people get so offended. It doesn't bother me a bit. Merry Christmas!

It's political correctness run amok.

I'm Jewish (though non-practicing). I certainly don't find Christmas offensive, but I don't get why some Christians are offended by the phrase "Happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." "Happy holidays" is all inclusive - it includes EVERYBODY, because even if someone doesn't celebrate Christmas, they do presumably celebrate the new year. The way I look at it, I don't tell people "happy birthday" on MY birthday, so why should Christians tell non-Christians "merry Christmas" on their own holiday? Yes, Christians are the majority in this country, but what does it hurt to be sensitive to those who are not Christian while still acknowledging the season with "happy holidays"? I think all the Christians who complain about being told "happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" would be singing a different tune if they lived in a Muslim, Jewish or otherwise non-Christian country. Christians in the U.S. have the privilege of not being a minority, so they don't know what it's like to have others' religion foisted on them. It's not like anybody's asking Christians not to celebrate Christmas, and if being told "happy holidays" or not having Christmas displays in Wal-Mart "ruins" their Christmas, then they must not be deeply, spiritually connected to the meaning of their holiday in the first place, in my opinion.

What do I think? I think it's sad.

Winter Solstice 30,000 years and still celebrated. How many say happy Solstice. In Greece 17 Dec. to 25 Dec. was Baccinalia a time to get drunk sleep with everyone who was willing and generally celebrate no holds barred.
Along come the Christians who don't want these great rituals and celebrations to go on any longer so they move Christ's birthday from April when the census was taken every 10 years (if you remember Joseph was travelling to where his family line was registered in Bethlehem) to the last day of Baccinalia.
Early Christians in Persia and Uzbekistan and the Holy Land did not have trees. That's a German custom.
Come on sisters get on those computers and learn about the origins of the holiday time. Next year find something to celebrate.
When someone I don't know wishes me Merry Christmas I smile and say Happy Solstice.

Let me make an (imperfect) analogy.

You go into a Mexican restaurant in New York City. You are greeted in Spanish. Since it's a Mexican restaurant, that seems normal, so you say "hola" and are escorted to your table. But when you get to your table, your menus are in Spanish. You have to flag down your waiter to get one in English. It's not a big deal, but you wonder, since you're in New York and not Guadalajara, why they aren't in English in the first place. Your waiter then comes to the table and starts speaking to you in Spanish. You explain that you don't speak Spanish, can they please speak English. Your waiter then gets all huffy that you've come into a Mexican restaurant, and most people in Mexico speak Spanish, and can't understand exactly why you want them to speak English. You have this problem every time the waiter comes over.

My guess is that, while you could understand the _idea_ behind everything in a Mexican restaurant being Spanish, you would feel like they wouldn't really want you to come in and eat there. It's not the place "for you."

As someone Jewish, that's how I feel every single time I go into a mall or turn on the radio between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's not that I don't like Christmas; I'm married to a Catholic and just came home from a Christmas celebration at my MILs. It's that the message that comes across loud and clear for a whole month every year is "you don't belong here." Yes, I am a member of a minority. Most people do celebrate Christmas. However, I get irritated when people insist that Christians are not being "allowed" to celebrate Christmas. Christmas is _everywhere_. And America, although the majority of people are Christians, is a _secular_ society. In other words, one religion isn't supposed to get a "boost" over others, even if it is the majority religion.

I very good naturedly wish people a merry Christmas if they wish me one. I think that you should string up lights and decorate your house and sing Christmas carols, etc. But I think that you should also recognize that if your idea of "ruining" Christmas is recognizing that not everyone has a tree, or Santa, or anything else, then you are really not making yourself aware at all of what it is often like to be a minority at this time of year.

Sometimes I find that the media has the ability to sensationalize just about everything. And a lot of times people go to extremes when trying to adjust a situation from one end of the pendulum to the other until it all balances out.

I really haven't seen what you have described but I do know that for me, now that I am older and know that there is a diverse mix of people in my community, I no longer assume that everyone celebrates the same holidays that I do or that they celebrate them for the same reason. Honestly, I love any opportunity to celebrate and eat great food so I'm good for letting everyone celebrating whatever holiday and religion that they would like as long as it is done as good fun and we can all be tolerant of each other's differences.

Happy holidays to you and your family and to everyone else on Mamapedia as well.

I am not Christian. Santa comes to our house, we decorate a tree, we get together with family, we enjoy the decorations & food but we do not partake of the Christian religious aspect.
It is not Christmas itself that I find offensive no more than I find Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule or any other Winter based holiday offensive. What I am finding more and more offensive are people who are being pushy, rude and in some cases just downright nasty with the attitude that CHRISTmas (typed like that on purpose to make my point) is the only thing that is right and acceptable at this time of year. Let me give you a first hand story of exactly what I'm talking about. I'm part of a Facebook group for something my children and I like, aimed at children I might add. One of the owners of said page felt like posting to all the members this lovely status "Just for the record It's ,Merry Christmas , not happy holidays , jacka***s" (I placed the asterisks in the obviously rude word.) I see this more and more from people and I find it disgusting. This person posted this at the Solstice which is sacred to some which to me added to the insult.
If someone says "Merry Christmas" to me I accept and appreciate the well wishes that are meant. But I find it nicer if someone does not assume.
In stores, to have signs that say "Merry Christmas" over displays that also include Hanukkah decorations says you're second class, not important enough to be on our big ol store signs..oh sure we want your money but you don't get recognized as being "worthy".
Public entities should be all inclusive. Being "PC" means your not intentionally hurting someone.

I am Jewish, grew up in the south in a mostly-Christian city, and did not (and still do not) "observe" Christmas (no trees, no presents, no lights, etc.). You just learn to take it in stride, and be confident in your own beliefs. I think that a lot of the "anti-Christmas" hype is just that - a small minority of people have fussed, a couple of schools and stores reacted rashly and without much thought, and the news media hyped it because it had nothing better to do. I am not offended if someone says "Merry Christmas" to me; I am surprised that some people are offended when I say "Happy Holidays" to them. That said, I ademently believe that Christmas should not be celebrated in public schools - public schools are not the place for religious observence. BTW - most observant and religious non-Christians I know are not offended by society's Chistmas observance, even if they do not partake. They are secure enough in their beliefs not to be threatened by Christians' open observance of Christmas.

Nope. We are atheists, so I cannot answer for someone that has a non-christian religion... but I am not offended by christmas displays.
Trees and Santas are not really christian anyways, we even tell our daughter that santa brings her presents, since it has NOTHING to do with God (a guy who lives at the North Pole with a bunch of elves... making presents and doling them out in a flying sleigh...). Not much different from the tooth fairy IMO.
I also don't mind nativity scenes, Hanukkah candles, Festivus Poles... I think that mostly its just the media hyping up single incidents where people complain to get their five minutes of fame. It's a slow news month and they've got to talk about something... sad.

Leaving work in observance of the Christmas holiday after only spending a couple of months with my new boss last named Solomon, I asked if he celebrates before wishing him a Merry Christmas. To my surprise he did and he wasn't Jewish as I thought. A rather awkward moment. It does seem to be a very touchy subject.

My daughter's preschool teaches 3 Winter celebrations and I have no problem with any of it. I would rather she realize there are other ways than just her own.

As well, I am not offended by the Hanukkah decorations when I enter the Jewish bakery or the closing of my favorite camera store in NYC for the entire month or so it seems. I just know to order ahead of time.

So if I know of their celebration, I am happy to wish them well appropriately and if I don't then I say Happy Holidays. Understanding everyone is entitled to different beliefs.

**

Edit: My niece was located in Switzerland last summer and that is the first time I met her. She arrived from Switzerland at the end of our Christmas dinner and was saying goodbye to my Mother and says, "Merry Christmas as you say". So as everyone cleared the room, I asked if she celebrates and she replied with a yes. Confused, I mentioned that she said, "As you say" and she replied, "We say "Frohe Weihnachten".

I don't know what channels you're watching cause I've never seen this - but if it's happening, it's stupid and sucks, and I'm a secular celebrator. I don't watch Fox news, but they are famous for making this a big issue. I have lived in several cities around the US in the last 10 years, Dallas, SF, LA, Miami, and have not personally run into this.

I think there are some party poopers out there that just look for a reason to complain and I wish places wouldn't cave to them. I think part of the problem is there are some people on one side that shove the non-secular side down people's throats, and then others that OVER react to Christmas as if they were being forced to celebrate something. Both sides are wrong.

I think the holidays should be honored and respected by everyone and not taken as a personal insult if they're not your own. Ugh - that bugs me.I don't like it when people get cranky about saying Happy Holidays - sorry, but there are OTHER holidays happening around that time and I want to honor them as well. I say Happy Holidays until Chanukah is over, because there are several holidays happening; then I say Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza and anything else I didn't remember :)

I am a former Christian who still celebrates and rejoices in Christmas, but my husband is not and never was a Christian, and so I am able to see his point of view. What offends me is that people are offended by "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." That really bugs me. If I can tolerate your holiday, you can strive to be inclusive of mine. As President Obama reminded the world, we are not just a nation of Christians. We are a melting pot of faiths, and this country was built on including those excluded around the world. The outrage about the expression "Happy Holidays" bothers me.

What I do not like is everyone assuming, that I celebrate xmas.

I understand everyone's point of view. I will say this: there is extremism on all ends, and not just Christian or secular.

We in our house view Christmas as a sort of default American cultural holiday. When I was a kid, I participated in a religion that didn't 'do' Christmas, but my grandmother was darn sure we had Christmas all the same. Our family isn't religiously affiliated, and we also celebrate Solstice and Hanukkah for personal reasons as well.

Am I offended by Christmas? I'm not offended by anyone's religious holiday which celebrates someone who tried to make the world a better place by teaching kindness and mercy by example. There are other 'holidays' which I have trouble with (Columbus Day? Give me a break!). This isn't one of them.

I am also agnostic and celebrate Christmas. It is about fun for the kids and Santa. I think too many people forget what it was like to be a kid. It is sooo sad. So what if someone wishes you a merry Christmas and you are not religious or dont believe in Santa. It is not like they are telling you to F- off or something like that. I have people wish me Happy Haunakh, merry Christmas, and happy Quanza. I think it is nice. I also find it funny that the same people who get offended by Christmas still take a Christmas bonus. Funny how the money does not offend them. Merry Christmas.

I know A LOT of people who aren't Christian. NONE of them are offended by Christmas or being told "Merry Christmas". This is just the media trying to make a story out of nothing or the opinion of a handful of people.

Well I celebrate Christmas just like you do. Not because of the birth of christ, just as something fun and positive for me and my family to do together (mainly for the children's enjoyment lol). I agree we shouldn't have to "quite" our traditions for others but let everyone enjoy it the way they want. I also plan on telling my kids (when they're old enough to understand) that other people celebrate Hanukkah and Kawanza instead of Christmas so it doesn't shock them later. Overall I totally agree with you.

I don't know of a single corporation that does not 'celebrate' and take advantage of the "Christmas Time" sales opportunity. Just because sales associates and flyers state HAPPY HOLIDAYS does not mean they are against Christmas - it just means they are being POLITE and POLITICALLY CORRECT for all the very many holidays from many different cultures that are celebrated at the SAME TIME FRAME as Christmas.

Just a side note to mom of 4: This is what our President actually said,
"Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation – at least, not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers. " Your quote was taken out of context.

I'm agnostic, but grew up Southern Baptist. To me, Christmas is more of a tradition than a religious holiday. I don't find Christmas offensive at all. What I do find offensive is all the commercialism. I am so weary of all of it usually after the first week of December. I think people should be free to celebrate whatever they want without it being crammed down their throat, which is what retailers to this time of year.

I think it is the issue that all views should get equal time if one is going to. If a class is going to talk about Christmas, then they should also talk about Hanukkah, Ramadan, Dawali (sp?), Kwaanza, etc. Otherwise some children will feel that they are the 'only ones' who are different. Besides, how does not celebrating Christmas at school ruin it? Most non-christian kids are already used to not celebrating their holidays at school. Besides my 5 year old might accidentally tell yours that Santa is not real if they start talking about it :). Outside of school - not a problem at all. Our local mall has a Christmas tree, giant menorah and lots of reindeer - fun for all.

I'm not Christian or religious but I do not find it offensive at all. I enjoy the holiday spirit and the happiness in the air. I have many many friends who are not religious and honestly, I cannot think of a single person who finds Christmas offensive. The people you have heard about on the news must be a very small but vocal majority. They should be ignored I think.

I am a non practicing Jew married to a non practicing Catholic. I am not offended by Christmas stuff, i love it As a family we celebrate Christmas & Hanukkah. I am not offended by when people say Merry Christmas, but i would appreciate if people wouldn't be offended when I say Happy Holidays.

I have many friends of different religions. I send out Happy Holiday or Seasons Greetings cards to all of them.

This year my daughters public kindergarten taught a little about Christmas Hanukkah & Kwanzaa, they had a parent that celebrated each one come in & talk to the kids about it.

It is sad when so many less places decorate, our families favorite thing to do in december is to drive around & look at the Christmas lights.

I am a Christian who doesn't celebrate Christmas, but I don't feel 'offended' at the celebrations of any other people at this time of year. When we see Christmas trees in the stores and everywhere obviously my oldest looks and is curious, and I explain to him what some people believe- as I would do with any thing else. Not a big deal- no offense, and someday he will have to make his own choice. In reply for to well wishers, merry christmas, and happy holidays, I simply smile politely and say thank you. I do not feel the need to get offended or pridefully state my stand and the only time I do say something is if someone asks my children "Are you ready for Santa?" Then I will simply state that we don't celebrate Christmas, but thank them for their interest in my son,- and leave it at that. I am fully aware that I am a minority in not celebrating some form of the holiday, and am not so proud to assume that all should 'recognize' MY personal religion instead of their own.

I find it kind of humorous that all these people not wanting to offend anyone by telling them "merry Christmas", will say "happy holiday's" instead, not knowing that the word holiday originated from holy day. So really these people are saying, "happy holy day"! Same with x-mas. Many people write X to replace Christ so as not to offend anyone and the real meaning of x, is greek for chi, which means Christ. I think people should just say happy..., whatever they celebrate and stop worrying about offending anyone because, no matter how hard we try not to, we are always going to offend someone.

No! Personally, I think PC is complete bollux. Especially when it comes to Christmas! I'm not very religious but I am very spiritual (yes, there is a difference). This is such a magical time of year! It's of faith, hope and generosity. I think if people in all religions would open their eyes and see that we are more alike than we are different there would not be so much disharmony among us all. I wish people could recognize that there is more than one path to eternal truth. There are three holidays in December and all three are festivals marking the return of the light! Hanukkah for light returning to the Holy Temple, Christmas for light returning in the form of the Christ child, and Yule/Solstice is the Sun God (and hence, for all three, light has returned to the world and saved us). The closer we gather our loved ones to us the more we think of others. My family celebrates Yule and Christmas. I do focus more on Yule however simple because I don't like how commercialized Christmas has become. It makes me very sad.

I think we should be allowed to say whatever phrases speak to our heart the most whether Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Solstice, whatever!! To force it upon us takes all meaning out of it and in the end it helps nothing. Personally, I love seeing the Nativities. They're so beautiful and to me, not offensive at all (unless you look at the fact it's historically inaccurate but we're not going there right now. :D). They speak so much about this time of the year and what it can represent. Actually, the only thing I find really offensive about Christmas (besides the greediness and ME ME ME of recent years) is the avidly religious forcing THEIR meaning of Christmas down my throat. Other than that, I have never felt offended by an other religion wishing me happy tidings from their spiritual path.

My children's school doesn't do Christmas, but not because they find the holiday offensive. It's a charter school that has chosen to focus on the curriculum instead (The only school in the district to do so). However, that did not keep them from having after school Christmas parties and programs which my children all had a blast with. The US just needs to stop being so PC and I think everything will be alright. It's a concept of good intentions that has gone completely haywire and is no longer useful or functional.

I don't find ANYONE'S holidays offensive. :) :) :) And I'm thrilled to be included in their celebrations, whatever they may be.

Non-christian mama moi

Christmas is fun and beautiful, whether it is "your" holiday or not. I don't think Christmas is offensive to anyone (maybe a few silly people). I think what offends people is the complete lack of consideration for personal beliefs. There are always those that take things too far.....again, just silly.

We teach our kids to be considerate of others. That's all most non-Christians are asking.... for consideration in regard to their personal beliefs. And I think most Christians ARE. I also believe Most non-Christians are not defensive and actually enjoy Christmas.

But this is what is so great about our country. We don't have to agree!

I'm glad you asked this question. I've wondered too.

I'm an American Muslim convert who has raised my children as Muslims. The Christmas holidays haven't had much effect on them at all. I've been bothered occasionally by the constant Christmas carols, but that's only because I still know all the words and sometimes can't get the songs out of my head.

My kids know they're in the minority but it's a fact of life and doesn't really bother them. They're able to get off from school for our holidays and we all enjoy spending "winter break" together. They do sometimes have fun with the myth of Santa Claus, wondering at how he could possibly travel throughout the entire world in a single night, etc. Otherwise, Christmas doesn't really matter to them.

There is one thing that bothers me about Christmas, though, and that's the traffic. I've tried to stay away from the stores for the last month but even a trip to Whole Foods to stock up on supplies could mean 30 minutes stuck in traffic because our Whole Foods is near the mall. But at least the economy in our area seems to be doing well!

hi, i don't think it is the majority. it is the manority. they just speak louder then we do, we sit back and let it happen. we have to get off our butt and put a stop to it. MERRY CHRISTMAS., R.

Updated

i know it sounds ugly but people that live in the us know that we are a people of MANY beliefs and ideas and back grounds. we can all co-exist together if we just let everyone do their own thing. i don't care what my friend, neighnbors, etc , celabrate. it isn't my business. this is a freedom we all share. instead of getting so worked up about it, each to their own. i will say god bless and merry christmas. R.

As a non-Christian, I am personally not offended by Christmas. I wasn't even aware that Christmas is being "banned" in schools and such. I also enjoy seeing all of the decorations- it is a beautiful time of year. I am personally a little annoyed that Christmas music takes over the radio before Thanksgiving...I think that is a little early. But anytime after that- fine!

A very happy new year, dear moms!
I am not a Christian, but I don't mind celebrating Christmas. Maybe not in the strict traditional way, but some celebration! And I do also celebrate other festivals of my faith. I hope my kids also grow up to enjoy any festival and the happy spirit behind them.
And it sure doesn't hurt to see a beautifully decorated tree, anyday!! :)

it makes me sick! we cant have christmas cookies at my daughters school or christmas partys secret santa ANYTHING we used to do.... im not a religious person by any stretch but i do like my kids to have a christmas however on the other hand i am more than willing to teach my kids about other religions. i say if people are going to throw such a fit about the kids at school having a party then they should come in and organize the party! (room mother can you tell lol?)

I'm not a Christian. In fact, I identify myself as a Freethinker. But, I LOVE Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. I totally agree with you that it is wonderful family time and a time to give to others. I love all of the lights and happily welcome all wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Qwanza, or whatever... It's unfortunate when others are so focused on feeling "right" about something, that they push their values onto others who are really just trying to be happy.

It's really easy for those celebrating Christmas to have no problem w/people saying Merry Christmas. It's their holiday. To my friends celebrating Christmas I say "Merry Christmas." But to assume, ignorantly, that those who do not celebrate Christmas shouldn't be offended by ignoring THEIR holiday, I think that's selfish. You're assuming they either celebrate like YOU celebrate, or you don't care enough to ask what their holiday is. It's nice to feel included. Maybe you feel you're 'including' by wishing a Merry Christmas regardless. Wouldn't it be more inclusive to know for sure and wish them a H. (insert their holiday here) or just simply say H. Holidays? If you're a child celebrating Kwanzaa or Chanukah... - c'mon, kids have enough problems trying to fit in. When they go into a store this time of year and the entire store is decked out in Christmas trees, in Christmas lights, grinches, elves, Santas, reindeer, and every employee is wearing a Santa hat, R. and green colors, and this entire experience reminds them that they're an 'other' - don't you think a simple 'H. Holidays' is charitable? Everything else screams Merry Christmas anyway. I've even heard - "whichever holiday you celebrate this time of year, enjoy it!" or "Which holiday do you celebrate this season?" if you want to be more direct...just ask! But to simply assume that everyone else either be exactly like you or PISS OFF is not exactly in the spirit of the season.

Christmas - the holiday, the idea, the word isn't offensive. It's the lack of understanding that not everyone is not like you. It's like you said - it's the majority's holiday. Not everyone's holiday.

I am a Christian. I celebrate Christmas. I am offended by "Happy Holidays"! Not because it isn't saying "Merry Christmas", but because it is being forced down everyone's throat to keep people that WANT to from saying "Merry Christmas".

If someone says, "HH" to me......I am not immediately offended. I just say, "MC" back. What offends me is talking to a friend of mine who works for a department store and was told they would be reprimanded for saying "MC" instead of "HH".

I do understand that there are many holidays during that time from different faiths........but, the MAJORITY of America celebrates Christmas (in either Christian or non-Christian ways). So, there is no reason store employees or ads cannot say "MC" or "HH" whichever they feel comfortable. I also believe it is the right of that store to celebrate in their decorating or ads any of the other holidays. But, let us celelbrate Christmas that way too.

Wow! I never expected so many responses. Some statistic I saw said 84% of Americans are Christian, but over half of the people who responded do not identify themselves as a Christian. Just an interesting observation.

Anyways, I am Catholic and grew up in Boca Raton, FL (south FL) where there is a large Jewish population. NOBODY will say Merry Christmas (post office, grocery store employees, etc) because they would probably lose their job. The thing that bothers me is that some Jews put a lot of hype on Hanukkah to compete with Christmas when it's not even their most religious day (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are actually much holier days). Our mall even had "Take you photo with a Dradle" to compete with Santa pictures.

I always say Merry Christmas.

Oh well. I am a born again believer and I feel guilty because I don't like Christmas. I think that people took Christ out of Christmas a long time ago when it became so big and so gawdy. A few trees here and there is one thing. But taking so much time off at Christmas hurts my business. It's not that I take the time off. But so many of my clients do and some don't have a problem paying me anyway. But every year a few take off and leave me because they don't want to pay. I don't get paid by people that spend too much money on presents. So year after year I end up feeling like I get slapped in the face and can't afford a nice Christmas for my family because so many others do. If I don't really get into it all and don't want to provide a Christmas party for my daycare kids (and can't afford it) then I'm a Scrooge. I think people spend entirely too much money on the holiday and I get tired of hearing about people being offended and trying to make people take their decorations down. I HATE the stores and how busy it is and I too try and avoid the whole mess all that I can.

So imagine being a Christian and actually hating Christmas. I wish I could sleep through the month of December.

Not a Christian, from a non-Christian family that has celebrated Christmas my whole life. We talk about how different people celebrate and how we celebrate... it works for us. We are not offended :)

Xmas is not offensive to me and this time of year has been celebrated with parties and gifts long before it became a Christian holy day. What i find offensive are the people who are constantly bemoaning that we are not celebrating the "real" reason for Christmas and complaining that we are x-ing Christ out of Christmas without understanding that there are many real reasons for Xmas and they are all legitimate - if they want to celebrate a religious/christian xmas they are welcome to do so. and, as Kelly posted the x is for chi the first letter in christ (xp = chi ro widely used after and in conjuction with the fish) and was a church sanctioned abbreviation from the 16th century.

Xmas/Noel is a fun time for family, friends and kids and for whatever level of excess you are comfortable with. We must celebrate the winter solstice because it reminds us we are half way through the dark!

PS - I am not christian but I grew up in the UK which is pretty non-religious - we clebrated Xmas as a major holiday but it generally does not have a religious conotation, pretty much like New Year is not religious. Of course, if you have a specific, religious day you personally wish to celebrate no-one is against that. I always wish people Merry Xmas (in celebration of whatever you do on Xmas Day when most everywhere is closed in observance) just as I wish them a Happy New Year or 4th of July - it's just the name of the holiday. Now, when I start getting time off for Hannukah and or Kwanzaa then I will say Happy Hannukah or Merry Kwanzaa.