Will Christians be upset if an atheist / agnostic / Jew / Muslim / etc. wishes them "Happy Holidays"?
814466
Being politically correct seems to be a subject of extreme interest nowadays.\n\nSaying a greeting at or around Christmastime is something we have all done for years.\n\nNow it seems that it is an issue as to what is said because it seems that some take offense to something that is surely not intended to offend.\n\nThose who are offended should realize no one intends to make anybody feel uncomfortable with the simple greeting.  It doesn't mean any more than "Hi or Hello".  It is just a coupling of some words at this particular time of year and we say them.
933388
I think it is fine and dandy that you say Happy Holidays as opposed to Merry Christmas but I will say Merry Christmas as opposed to Happy Holidays. Why? Because I grew up with it being Christmas... Christmas vaction, Christmas caroling... ect. I was Catholic but now I am one who follows no particular religion and I have no religious conotaions to my message. It is just how I extend my wishes to others... and that's that. I have no issue with whatever greeting people choose. I do have a problem when... say a Walmart greeter gets sued for saying "Merry Christmas". That is just low and petty. And it makes me all the more defiant about it... so this year my "Merry Christmas's" may be laced with a little acidy hiss that may even make Santa cower... (kidding by the way)
761630
It probably should, given the fact that they are Jewish and singing songs like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and other decididly Christian-based carols.\n\nBut for some unknown reason I don't care one way or the other.  All artists are out to line their pocketbook and with a large percentage of Americans being Christian and believing in Christ, these Jewish singers can make a good chunk of change by singing songs that they most likely don't believe in.\n\nI guess they feel that Adam Sandler has a strong-hold on the Jewish Holiday song with his fantastic "Haunakah"!\nIf they can;t beat em'- join em'!
1010288
Not a thing.  It's really sad for people to make others feel like they are less worthy among others simply because they don't follow their religion.  To me, it makes those of that religion self-righteous.  It shows they lack compassion for other people Unless that person happens to believe as they do.
888121
Agree 100%. If they supposedly are happy then they definitely wouldn't be on here refuting it. They are not atheists but ANTI-THEISTS full of hate.
892610
Because some people just enjoy getting bent out of shape. The majority of Jews and Jehovah's Witnesses don't say anything when somebody wishes them a seasonal greeting and most atheists don't pay any attention to crosses, churches etc. But those that do make such a fuss that nobody ever forgets it. It's too bad they use embarrassing others to make their point. It's unreasonable and please let me apologize for all of them.
710966
I don't celebrate Yule for I am not Pagan, nor do I celebrate Christmas for I am not a "Pagan history ignoring" Christian.\n\nBut have a Happy- (whatever you celebrate)!
704571
dont worry about other people and judging them as not behaving correctly. if you want more jesus in your holiday then make it happen
885776
God can be of any religion, not just christianity, I personally am a Pagan.  But I am not offended by these sayings or actions.  I feel that people are too sensitive and should chill out.  I can say god bless you when someone sneezes without getting phobic about it.  To me it is no different than saying thank you or excuse me.
487246
i am a muslim, and i have both jewish and christian friends, religion got nothing to do with it.\npeace and blessings.
73139
Uh...yah!\nOne doesn't have to be religious to show their love for others through gifts.\n\nSo the real question is, if an atheist gives you a gift you don't like, do you re-gift it? =)
389077
I'm British so maybe shouldn't get involved with your countrys politics, but as a believer, no I don't think atheists should be persecuted, or anyone for their beliefs. Most of my friends and family are not Christians and we respect each other's beliefs.
973809
Not everyone is christian, dear. Do you want them to also say "happy hanukah"  "happy kwanza"  and "Ramadan mubarak" ??  How about "hail satan" ?? shouldn't they give equal time to all beliefs if they say "merry christmas" ??   Get real, shop where the heck you want, and leave the rest of us alone.
5089
I know you said this question is for those who don't celebrate any religious holidays, but I'm going to answer anyways.  People seem to take great precaution to not offend anyone--unless, of course, they are Christians.  Go figure.  It can be so frustrating to see everyone try to take Jesus out of Christmas, isn't it?  :(  It may make you feel better to know that Happy Holiday means Happy Holy Day.  And I think it is safe to say Jesus's birthday is a VERY holy day, wouldn't you?  So... Happy Holy Day and a very Merry Christ-mas to you!
480762
Excellent question!  Especially since my father is a used car salesman.  haha.\n\nAnyways, I know that certain people will not celebrate things like Christmas and Easter because they are not in the Bible, and the reason for this I believe is two-fold.  First of all, the Bible actually prescribes a very specific list of holidays that it requires.  These are the Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Shavuot, among some others.  Within this law it is stated that no one may add nor take away from the Law.\n\nTherefore, a strict interpretation might seem to indicate that these holidays, AND ONLY THESE HOLIDAYS should be celebrated, at least as RELIGIOUS holidays.\n\nHowever, Jews do celebrate some other holidays besides these because they are believed to be "within the spirit" of the Law.  For example, the Bible teaches that one should rejoice in the great things that God does in history.  So, Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that God performed for the Jewish people, and is considered to be acceptable to celebrate.  But it never is given the high status of the holidays which the Bible specifically describes.\n\nOn the part of Christians, I think it is noteworthy that Jesus seemed to accept the holiday of Hanukkah, even though it was post-Old Testament.  His disciples celebrated it, and Jesus told them to do so.  \n\nMost Christians however do not make this connection though I think, because they are not familiar with Jewish custom, and do not realize that Jesus was referring to Hanukkah when he mentions it.  (I'll get you a verse if you'd like, just ask and I can look it up).\n\nSo some Christians think that no holiday should be celebrated if it is not in the Law.  Christmas and Easter and Birthdays are not mentioned therein.\n\nOthers would say that birthdays are ok because they are not religious.\n\nOthers would say that Christmas and Easter are not permissible because they derive from non-Christian holidays that they believe embraced ideas contrary to their faith.\n\nThere are many things which have become custom and the people tend to assume it is biblical, when really, it is not necessarily.  Even the idea of getting married in a church or place of worship is not mentioned, and yet many would say firmly that a marriage done in a courthouse is not a marriage "in the eyes of God."\n\nI don't know why they would hold this view except that they must be ignorant of what is in their scriptures and what is not.
710847
While I'd personally rather be wished a Happy Holiday, I don't get all bent out of shape if someone says Merry Christmas, let alone boycott a store that doesn't greet me "properly" and acknowledge I'm not religious. I managed to survive last year getting wished Merry Christmas every time I went to the local Wal Mart, so even though I don't really celebrate Christmas myself, I don't have a breakdown over it.\n\nI personally celebrate the winter solstice. Not so much in the pagan tradition, just celebrating winter and the year's end. However, my family celebrates Christmas, so, I'm sort of stuck celebrating it a little. Regardless, I still don't tweak out about it. It's not worth getting bent out of shape and spending thousands in legal fees over.\n\nSome people might get upset because they don't celebrate Christmas and don't want to be wished a happy holiday they don't celebrate, but I'm not one of them.\n\nI prefer Happy Holidays myself because Christmas isn't the only holiday celebrated this time of year. Not everyone is Christian, not everyone celebrates Christmas. We've got Hannukah, Yule, Kwanzaa...probably others I'm missing. Christmas might be the biggest or most-celebrated holiday, but it's not the only one. Saying "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" is a good way for stores and business to wish people a happy holiday without being presumptuous and wishing them to have a happy holiday they don't celebrate.\n\nIt's sort of an example of political correctness gone awry. It's a good idea to be fair and recognize that not everyone is celebrating Christmas, but suing people for saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays is over the top. Let clerks wish whatever they want and if people don't like it, well, tough. It's no reason to start boycotting a store because they wished you the wrong holiday. Presumptuous, but sheesh, it's not going to hurt you or cause you such emotional trauma that you need to sue 'em for it.\n\nYou don't have to like it, but there's not reason to go on a legal bender for it. I'll admit I'm not fond of being wished Merry Christmas when I'm an atheist who would rather celebrate the spirit of giving and family, but I definitly don't start calling local lawyers the minute a clerk at Kmart or something says it. At least they're wishing me a happy holiday, whatever I happen to celebrate.\n\nI'd rather smile and wish them a happy holiday and be giving this time of year, rather than turning around and slapping people with a lawsuit because they wished me the wrong holiday. Season for spreading joy and happiness, not overblown, unnecessary lawsuits, y'know?
23046
MERRY CHRISTMAS...It's ridiculous that anyone gets offended by it.  If someone were to tell me Happy Kwanza, or Happy Hannukah, I wouldn't get offended either.  It's obviously something that person believes in, and they are trying to wish me the best.  There's no harm in it, whether I believe in it or not.