'Merry Christmas' Simply Does Not Apply to a Pagan or a Jew

[drakonyx]

Wishing a non-Christian a merry Christmas is like an American wishing everyone in Beijing a happy Fourth of July. It’s like telling someone who doesn't like football to "enjoy the Super Bowl!" Or buying a litter box for someone who doesn't own a cat.

http://www.theprovocation.net/2011/11/merry-christmas-simply-does-not-apply.html

[Taverner]

1. Happy Holidays! Eo Saturnalia!

[etherealtruth]

2. Or like telling someone "Eid Mubarak"

I like to take these things in the spirit in which they are intended ... and welcome anyone to wish me happiness on their holiday (religious or secular).

You can bless me or wish me well in any way you choose ... if the sentiment is heartfelt ... I an uplifted.

[LeftishBrit]

24. I've been wished an Eid Mubarak or two in my time

And Shana Tova (Happy Jewish New Year) and Happy Chinese New Year very regularly, as well as Merry Christmas of course.

I live in a very multicultural area!

The more greetings and goodwill messages the better, as far as I'm concerned.

[arcane1]

3. As an atheist, it doesn't bother me at all

There are various religious and cultural holidays all year long. If, on a particular day, someone wishes me to be merry, I thank them for the sentiment. I interpret it as "I hope you are happy today".

-edited to spell "atheist" correctly.

[MarkCharles]

6. I think most atheists and simple non-declared non-believers feel the same way

some atheists like to challenge the believers, but we don't have to disrespect their wishes, nor their own ways of celebrating in their lives.

[arcane1]

10. I certainly wouldn't turn well-wishings into an argument

and I have no problem saying "Merry Christmas" to people who celebrate it, in any form :)

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Or an Atheist. Or a Muslim.

Merry Christmas is not generic and does not apply to everyone.

[roguevalley]

5. when I say it I mean a personal wish for their joy. I'm not bothered

by it.

[ClassWarrior]

7. Cutting out the coffee might be a good first step.

NGU.

[the other one]

8. I'm Jewish and you can wish me Merry Christmas

I love Christmas, because all the crazy goyim have stopped there madhouse shopping. Suddenly the world around me is at peace. It's a beautiful day.

[rug]

9. I guess we can simply sheepishly nod at each other or retreat to clan gatherings.

[provis99]

11. Christmas is more pagan than Christian.

Early christians did not celebrate Christmas. It only started to be celebrated by stealing the Pagan ideas of Yule and Midwinter Fest, as well as stealing from Mithraism.

Gift-giving is pagan, the "Christmas" tree is pagan, Dec. 25 is a pagan day; most of the idea of Santa Claus was stolen from Germanic paganism; the Yule Log is pagan; even the door-to-door carol singing is based on pagan tradition.

[REP]

15. And it's all fun as hell - great ways to pass the dark, cold days waiting for the sun to come back!

Anybody can call it what they like, but I know that done right, it's too much fun to worry about what anyone calls it.

[Crunchy Frog]

21. One of the things that I most like about it.

:P

[DonCoquixote]

12. Festivus

for the rest of us!

[NMMNG]

13. Meh

I myself say Happy Holidays but it doesn't bother me if the other person says Merry Christmas or whatever. On the other hand, if I encounter one of those Christmas Warriors who insists it must be Merry Christmas...OR ELSE!!...I'll give them a what-for.

[REP]

14. It's really low on the list of things that get up my nose

I just got through sending out my holiday cards, carefully selected to be pretty (and weird); appropriate for any/no religion and every/no holiday, because my friends and family fall into all of those categories. I personally like the idea of preparing for a big party while it's cold and dark - it's fun and makes the time go by while it's so miserable out, and then there's a big celebration with presents, and then we get more sunlight. So whatever anyone is celebrating, I'm good with it.

[qb]

16. Christmas has been almost completely secularized in the US.

This is why, as an atheist, I am no longer bothered by hearing "Merry Christmas".
I wouldn't inflict it on anyone else, however.

[Kurmudgeon]

17. Easter is the important holiday anyway, enjoy your mid-winter feasting festival.

[laconicsax]

19. Easter is another co-opted holiday

Even the name is stolen.

[NMMNG]

22. Don't bother the pious with facts n/t

[Leontius]

25. Please bother us with the "facts" of the previous post.

We all wait with baited breath to be "educated" from our profound ignorance.

[cleanhippie]

26. Try this... and be enlightened.

I doubt you will listen, though.


http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/history-of-easter.html

http://www.thehistoryof.net/history-of-easter.html

http://godkind.org/pagan-holidays.html

[Leontius]

27. Nothing new and nothing to validate the previous claim.

I mean really since a few pre-christian practices that happen around the same date have clung to a Christian one that's co-option, that's remarkable, I don't think so. Maybe you do but I don't think something to entertain children like the Easter bunny, pagan or not, is damnable evidence against the Christian tradition of Easter and its meaning in the Church.

[cleanhippie]

28. As I said, I doubt you would listen.

[Leontius]

29. So reading your supplied links finding nothing new means not

listening. What would constitute listening just blindly accepting what you presented? Would that be what you need to hear? Sorry but that's not going to happen. I've seen the points presented before and they just don't point to co-option of previous customs as a primary source for Easter. If you have something new let's hear it, if not it's your failure to provide it that's at fault not mine to accept old debunked suppositions.

[cleanhippie]

30. Debunked?

Where is YOUR proof that these assertions are false?


I guess I am also missing what it is, exactly, that you are disagreeing with? The fact that the modern day "easter" has its roots in pagan observances? What, exactly, has been "debunked?"

[cleanhippie]

31. I see you ran away when asked to support YOUR assertions.

[lbrtbell]

18. Xmas is borrowed from the pagan Yule

Pagans know the truth, and aren't offended by the Christmas holiday. In fact, they enjoy being able to celebrate Yule openly, as they privately chuckle at the ignorance of the Christians. ;)

[Crunchy Frog]

20. I'm not a Christian, but I still love and celebrate the holiday

and I personally have no objection to somebody wishing me "Merry Christmas".

So, sue me for being inconsistent. :shrug:

[LeftishBrit]

23. Not entirely true

It has become a very secular holiday for many. Most atheists do celebrate Christmas; and many Jews and members of other faiths celebrate it along with their other festivals. Sometimes in idiosyncratic ways - I once had knaidlach as part of the Christmas dinner at a Jewish friend's home; and a very tasty dinner it was, too!

As regards Paganism, Christmas is largely based on an old Pagan festival, and Oliver Cromwell's Puritans waged a real 'war on Christmas' for just that reason.

But certainly no one should be trying to force a 'Merry Christmas' on those who don't celebrate it. The political aggressiveness that some have on the subject is very unpleasant and inappropriate to any holiday and certainly to the concept of 'peace on earth, good will to all men'.