Lets say Merry Christmas!

[no name joe]

I find it odd that people get offended when people tell them to have happy holidays. People are not required to greet you and give you well wishes. I just enjoy interacting with people. I've told Jewish people Happy Hannakah, other people Merry Christmas, and others Happy Holidays to encompass everything from Christmas to New Years. It is a holiday season. I usually say Merry Christamas.

I don't know why people get up in arms over this. No one is taking away your right to do anything. Say what you will. A letter to the editor in our local paper this morning told people who do not like to hear Merry Christmas to move away. Ummm....I've never met a single person who would get offended by this. I've only met people who are offended when you say Happy Hollidays instead of Merry Christmas....I still cannot figure out why you would get mad at someone wishing happiness on you.

The real assault on Christmas is not something as trite as how people greet one another, but on the mass consumerism that has taken over. We all feel preasure to buy things for people that they don't need or want, to accept gifts that we don't need or want. The consumerism that has taken over the holidays is terrible. That is why Thanksgiving is my favorite...it has not been so corrupted by marketers as has Christmas and Easter.

[HappyChristian]

[quote="kindofblue1977"]I find it odd that people get offended when people tell them to have happy holidays. People are not required to greet you and give you well wishes. I just enjoy interacting with people. I've told Jewish people Happy Hannakah, other people Merry Christmas, and others Happy Holidays to encompass everything from Christmas to New Years. It is a holiday season. I usually say Merry Christamas.

I don't know why people get up in arms over this. No one is taking away your right to do anything. Say what you will. A letter to the editor in our local paper this morning told people who do not like to hear Merry Christmas to move away. Ummm....I've never met a single person who would get offended by this. I've only met people who are offended when you say Happy Hollidays instead of Merry Christmas....I still cannot figure out why you would get mad at someone wishing happiness on you.

The real assault on Christmas is not something as trite as how people greet one another, but on the mass consumerism that has taken over. We all feel preasure to buy things for people that they don't need or want, to accept gifts that we don't need or want. The consumerism that has taken over the holidays is terrible. That is why Thanksgiving is my favorite...it has not been so corrupted by marketers as has Christmas and Easter.[/quote]

Thanksgiving is my favorite, too. I don't like to hear it called "turkey day." Take away from it being a day of thanksgiving - although I know the majority of people who call it that aren't saved, or are being cutesy.

Consumerism has run amok during this time of year. That's a sad thing. Materialism is so predominant in our society - even amongst Christians.

I, too have wished Jewish people "Happy Hannukah." I used to work for a Jewish lady - she didn't like Christmas at all, and didn't like us saying "Merry Christmas" to our patrons. I did - not to aggravate her, but because I love saying that (and she was fine with that, really). To me, that's what the season is! And I would often tag on a happy holidays as well, since many people get more than just Christmas Day off. I usually wait until after Christmas to wish people a happy new year.

I have experienced people offended by "Merry Christmas." But these are usually people who have a virulent hatred for anything that smacks of religion.

cote - one of the hard things about working for others is that you have to follow company policy. If it's company policy that you don't use the term, then you shouldn't do it. If, however, it's only one person's desire, you need to decide what's most important...using the term or not, offending that one person or not. If you are fired and it's not company policy, you might be able to get your job back - it depends on how public your usage of the term was, and how liberal the judge you would get is.

[no name joe]

cote - one of the hard things about working for others is that you have to follow company policy. If it's company policy that you don't use the term, then you shouldn't do it. If, however, it's only one person's desire, you need to decide what's most important...using the term or not, offending that one person or not. If you are fired and it's not company policy, you might be able to get your job back - it depends on how public your usage of the term was, and how liberal the judge you would get is.

This is correct. A company has every right to instittute policies about what you may and may not wear, and what message you give to their customers. As their employee, you must follow their polcies. If you don't you risk losing your job. As their employee, you are thier agent, and you should not convey a message they they do not want to send. Telling you you cannot say Merry Christmas (though I doubt this is an official company policy....if you are not sure, ask the manager's boss and consult your employee handbook) does not violate your rights. They are a private company, and are not discriminating against your religion. If they prohibit you from saying Merry Christmas but permit a Jewish person to say Happy Hannakah, then there may be a discrimination. However, if their policy is to greet everyone with "Happy Holidays," then you must follow that. No discrimination there...it is the message the company wants to convey.

Paul instructs slaves to submit to their masters in love. Today that means employees ought to follow the instructions of their employers. If you don't like their stance, or if it goes against your religion, then you can quit and go elsewhere.

If you are not happy, ask your manager. If his response is not satisfactory, ask his supervisor. If that does not get anywhere, go higher up until you discover the company policy. If there is no company policy, then you can do what you want.

If they let you wear a button that says Merry Christmas, they may fear that they must let others wear buttons with derogatory messages, etc. It is easier to say, "No buttons." If they want their message to be "Happy Holidays," then follow it....it is not that big of a deal. You can say Merry Christmas on you own time.

LIke I said, I don't know if companies actually have these kind of policies....it is widely beleived among the "Merry Christmas" folks that they do, but I've never seen a company policy about this. Many times, I suspect a cashier says "Happy Hollidays" and a person assumes it is company policy and gets mad about it.

[HappyChristian]

This is correct. A company has every right to instittute policies about what you may and may not wear, and what message you give to their customers. As their employee, you must follow their polcies. If you don't you risk losing your job. As their employee, you are thier agent, and you should not convey a message they they do not want to send. Telling you you cannot say Merry Christmas (though I doubt this is an official company policy....if you are not sure, ask the manager's boss and consult your employee handbook) does not violate your rights. They are a private company, and are not discriminating against your religion. If they prohibit you from saying Merry Christmas but permit a Jewish person to say Happy Hannakah, then there may be a discrimination. However, if their policy is to greet everyone with "Happy Holidays," then you must follow that. No discrimination there...it is the message the company wants to convey.

Paul instructs slaves to submit to their masters in love. Today that means employees ought to follow the instructions of their employers. If you don't like their stance, or if it goes against your religion, then you can quit and go elsewhere.

If you are not happy, ask your manager. If his response is not satisfactory, ask his supervisor. If that does not get anywhere, go higher up until you discover the company policy. If there is no company policy, then you can do what you want.

If they let you wear a button that says Merry Christmas, they may fear that they must let others wear buttons with derogatory messages, etc. It is easier to say, "No buttons." If they want their message to be "Happy Holidays," then follow it....it is not that big of a deal. You can say Merry Christmas on you own time.

LIke I said, I don't know if companies actually have these kind of policies....it is widely beleived among the "Merry Christmas" folks that they do, but I've never seen a company policy about this. Many times, I suspect a cashier says "Happy Hollidays" and a person assumes it is company policy and gets mad about it.

I just wanted to add here - there were several Wal-Marts around the country that tried to implement saying only "Happy Holidays." But there was such a backlash, they lifted that. I have friends who were told by the clerks (in various states) that they weren't allowed to say "Merry Christmas." That year, also, Wal-Mart had talked about not selling many religious items. But they decided against that move because of the protests, too (that included the one near me).

[deafnva77]

I find it odd that people get offended when people tell them to have happy holidays. People are not required to greet you and give you well wishes. I just enjoy interacting with people. I've told Jewish people Happy Hannakah, other people Merry Christmas, and others Happy Holidays to encompass everything from Christmas to New Years. It is a holiday season. I usually say Merry Christamas.

I don't know why people get up in arms over this. No one is taking away your right to do anything. Say what you will. A letter to the editor in our local paper this morning told people who do not like to hear Merry Christmas to move away. Ummm....I've never met a single person who would get offended by this. I've only met people who are offended when you say Happy Hollidays instead of Merry Christmas....I still cannot figure out why you would get mad at someone wishing happiness on you.

The real assault on Christmas is not something as trite as how people greet one another, but on the mass consumerism that has taken over. We all feel preasure to buy things for people that they don't need or want, to accept gifts that we don't need or want. The consumerism that has taken over the holidays is terrible. That is why Thanksgiving is my favorite...it has not been so corrupted by marketers as has Christmas and Easter.

It's the fact that people tell you to stop saying Merry Christmas and use Happy Holiday instead. And so whenever people use "Happy Holiday" They are being reminded many times they have been told not to say Merry Christmas like Coto's company just did (or you will get fired). Who cares which people decide to use when they greet people during this holiday season? maybe "Happy Holidays" wouldn't be so offensive anymore if they just ease the policy. If a company don't like it, they shouldn't be hiring Christians and problem solved. (we can find a business who do appreciate christians) But Don't be censoring them. But oh well, that's how secular gov't work, they expect to us be blindfolded on people's religions when it comes to hiring but set policy that censor would them because they don't like their religion. But that's how "Don't ask, Don't tell" military policy works too.

[JerryNumbers]

Well, if your boss tells you not to do something like saying the words, "Merry Christmas," during your working hours, seems he would have that right, same about wearing buttons or t-shirts with sayings on them.

I believe I know what I would do in such a situation, I use the words think what I would do because I have not been tested on that subject, but I feel I would change jobs, I just don't feel it would be proper for me to sue. And I really don't think law suits reflect good on the name of Jesus.

I totally dislike the words "Happy Holiday" of any other political correct way to avoid saying Merry Christmas.

A long time back in a health group I was asked to take Merry Christmas off my signature or leave the group, moderator said I was offending people. I left the group, the did not have to ban me, telling them I sure did not want to be in a place where God was not welcome.

[deafnva77]

I agree. We should quit and find a job that welcome God in their businesses. Sometimes the problem is that other people sue those businesses for doing that.

[Guest Guest]

A letter to the editor in our local paper this morning told people who do not like to hear Merry Christmas to move away. Ummm....I've never met a single person who would get offended by this. I've only met people who are offended when you say Happy Hollidays instead of Merry Christmas

Highlighted area: You obviously don't live around me.

[HappyChristian]

I agree. We should quit and find a job that welcome God in their businesses. Sometimes the problem is that other people sue those businesses for doing that.

Quitting a job is not always an option, especially when jobs are scarce. And if God gave a person the job where they aren't allowed to say certain things, wouldn't it be disobedient to quit?

[deafnva77]

No, I don't think it would be considered as disobeying. Sure, the door may be opened for you but if you feel ungodly in that workplace, you shouldn't work there. I think God would understand and would never put you in that position. But hey, if you don't mind not saying Merry Christmas or discuss any christian topics at work, it's not a sin either. But some people like to be more expressive in their faith than others.

Many Christians ended up in their own businesses because of this. Trade businesses mostly, such as plumbing or electricians. Some end up working at chick-fil-a or christian family bookstores or other christian- based workplace.

[HappyChristian]

No, I don't think it would be considered as disobeying. Sure, the door may be opened for you but if you feel ungodly in that workplace, you shouldn't work there. I think God would understand and would never put you in that position.

Many Christians ended up in their own businesses because of this. Trade businesses mostly, such as plumbing or electricians. Some end up working at chick-fil-a or christian family bookstores or other christian- based workplace.

Not being able to say "Merry Christmas" shouldn't make someone feel ungodly!!! If a place is so corrupt that a person feels they are ungodly working there, then perhaps God never intended them to be there, as you said. But perhaps God has placed someone in the position they are in, in order to be a witness. There are many ways to witness without having to say "Merry Christmas."

[no name joe]

This is not government censorship.

It is the policy of a private company. A private company has every right to determine what message it wants to send to its customers. If they believe saying Merry Christmas would offend their customers, then they can tell their employees not to use the term. The point is, when you are at work, your time belongs to your employer. They have every right to determine what message their business sends.

I don't see how that discriminates at all. If they allowed "Happy Hannakah" but not "Merry Christmas," then it might be discriminatory.

[Guest Guest]

The point is' date=' when you are at work, your time belongs to your employer.[/quote']

I actually agree with you for once, kind!! Hallelujah!! At least for me...that is. :-)

[deafnva77]

the point is, when you are at work, your time belongs to your employer. They have every right to determine what message their business sends.

Which why I wrote, people ought to quit if they don't like it. Seriously, I really don't know the purpose of telling people not to say Merry Christmas. It's like telling them not to say "God bless you" when someone sneeze. Personally, I wouldn't be in that type of environment.

I don't see how that discriminates at all. If they allowed "Happy Hannakah" but not "Merry Christmas," then it might be discriminatory.

This is where the gov't censorship step in.

[HappyChristian]

I don't see how that discriminates at all. If they allowed "Happy Hannakah" but not "Merry Christmas," then it might be discriminatory.

This is where the gov't censorship step in.