"We say Merry Christmas here" Or, "If You Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk"

[Zephie]

First, a confession. I got roped into bell ringing for the Salvation Army today. I don't support them, however my elderly mother does and she coordinates for her church to ring the bells at the local supermarket. She called me in a tizzy last night because one of her church friends had backed out last minute and now had a two hour stretch where no one would be ringing the bells, and before I knew what happened I had agreed to do it with her. I showed up today and, even though the bells were obnoxious and I disagreed with many of the Salvation Army's policies, I felt good to be doing at least a little to help out in these tough times.

Well about half way through the two hours, a gentleman put in $10. I thanked him and wished him a happy holiday - and he went through the roof. He stopped dead in his tracks as he was leaving and turned around, looking me in the eye. "We say Merry Christmas here," he said "Not that liberal hippie mumbojumbo "happy holidays". It's unAmerican." I looked around dumbfounded, at my mother for direction. I didn't want to embarrass her. "Now wish me a Merry Christmas instead", the man said while I was dumbstruck. This irritated me too much. "Not everyone is Christian sir. It's just a kindness. I don't celebrate Christmas myself." I said. Enraged, he told me that "People like me shouldn't be doing charity work", since we don't have any "moral fiber". My poor mother was panicking. She's a pacifist to the point of being a doormat in the face of conflict, and she knows my strong convictions are sometimes hard to hold back.
"Shouldn't I?" I said. "Well I suppose you're right." I smiled and took off my smock and held it out with my bell. "I should leave this to the true Christians, you're right." He looked at me blankly as I held out the bell ringer garb to him. "What do you expect me do to do with that?" he said. "Well sir, you're a true Christian right?" "Yes Ma'am, I am, and damn proud of it." "Then since I am unfit to serve the needy, and you obviously are, you should probably take these and have a seat, because SOMEONE has to help out, and since I can't it might as well be you." He closed his mouth, looked at my mother (who by now has turned a scarlet red that pretty well matched the donation kettle), looked back at the bell and smock, and left.

Please don't be intimidated by the Christ-Warriors this holiday season when you say "Happy Holidays". Saddly, very few are willing to back up their pro-Merry Christmas talk with action. It's sad really: If only they put that militant spirit to work on things like actually getting food and clothes for the needy, think about what good could be done!

Blessings, and Happy Holidays.

(edited for typos.)

[gratuitous]

1. Very much in keeping with the Sermon on the Mount

You were sued for the coat off your back by this jackanape, and by offering your shirt as well, turned his power trip on its head and re-asserted the dignity of the oppressed. Jesus would say "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Have a happy holiday yourself, and a better new year.

[tomg]

2. Wonderful. That is a true

community spirit. The more we call them on this nonsense in intelligent, compassionate and - in this case - funny as hell ways, the better we are. Happy
Holidays.

[RainDog]

3. now THAT is an inspirational story

and that man is an asshole to the core of his being and there is, apparently, nothing christian about him... which is what I observe repeatedly from those who use their claim to any religion as a bludgeon.

:yourock:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. remind the ass that it's a PAGAN holy day.

[Zephie]

22. Ironically enough, I'm Pagan myself

However I knew that if I took that route my mother WOULD be angry. She prefers I don't start on that and I forgive her for it. She's very afraid of the "wrath of the Lord" (Born in the early 40s, what can you do?), but tries to keep quiet about it. I try to give her the same courtesy. =)

Happy Thanksgiving and whatever you celebrate afterwards! :pals:

[vduhr]

53. Unfortunately the fear of the "rath of the Lord" is......

where religion lost its Christianity. People are too afraid for their own soul to realize that they forgot what Jesus' message actually was, or should be - to be kind and care for others. They're all in it for themselves and running over each other to make it into Heaven. My own sister believes that, no matter how much good you do toward people on this earth, if you don't believe in Christ, you won't go to heaven. Imagine that! If what she believes is true, I want no part of that.

[vduhr]

55. Then reminded me of a joke....

I had to look it up on the internet because I could only remember the punchline, but here it is:

Seems this man died and was ushered into heaven, which appeared to be an
enormous house. An angel began to escort him down a long hallway past
"many rooms".

"What's in that room?" the man asked, pointing to a very sombre-looking group
of people chanting a Gregorian mass.

"That's the Roman Catholic room," said the angel. "Very high church."

"What's in that room?" the man asked, pointing to a group of half-naked
dancers gyrating their hips and occasionally shrieking out loud.

"That's the Balinese group," said the angel. "Very lively."

"What's in that room?" asked the man, pointing to a group of bald-headed
people meditating to the sound of an enormous gong.

"That's the Zen group," said the angel. "Very quiet. You would hardly know
they were here."

Then the angel stopped the man, as they were about to round a corner. "Now,
when we get to the next room," said the angel, "I would appreciate it if you
would tiptoe past. We mustn't make any sound."

"Why's that?" asked the man.

"Because in that room there's a bunch of very fundamentalist Christians; and
they think they're the only ones here."

[MsPithy]

56. Proof of how mind-numbingly stupid these folks are.

Saying "Happy Holidays," is being POLITE! Don't back down. I think the way you handled the situation you describe is perfection! Great on you, Zephie! I hope your mom realizes your deferring to her anachronistic beliefs is an act of love on your part. The objections to "Happy Holidays," are manufactured by radio and TV personalities who have to fill their on-air minutes with outrages so their audience keeps listening and watching.

Not only is Christmas a usurping of a popular pagan celebration, ( a slimy and dishonest, yet typical, Christian method of gaining power) but, Jesus was actually born in the spring. And, where are the stories of "The Christmas Tree," or the worship of consumer spending in the Bible, I can't seem to find them.

The way I see it, anyone who objects to "Happy Holidays!" might as well walk around shouting, "I AM STUPID!"

[whathehell]

5. Good. For. You.!

"UnAmerican" my ass.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Stories like this make me say, "Thank God I'm not a christian!'

[LWolf]

7. When I say "Merry Christmas," I'm not referring to the birth of Christ,

even though that's what the word "christmas" refers to. Obviously, since Christ wasn't born on December 25th, lol. I'm referring to the holiday season. I'm more likely to say "happy holidays." If I decide to send out greeting cards, that's what the cards will say. There are so many holidays connected to the winter solstice; why not be ecumenical and include them all? As a matter of fact, a "Happy Solstice" greeting, in person or in the mail, works too.

I like your solution. You offered him a chance to embody "peace on earth and goodwill toward all," and the spirit of his Jesus by serving. He wasn't Christian enough to take that opportunity, and will probably never "get" it, since he's been conditioned by un-christ-like "christians."

[hlthe2b]

11. Yes... I think "Merry Christmas" has become pretty generic...

for many people, reflective of a season and the "peace on earth and goodwill toward all" kind of messaging.

At some point I think we have to be a little less sensitive about these kind of things. After all, are we insulting a Chinese American by wishing them a Happy New Year on January 1, though their own "New Year" is months later?

That said, the guy depicted was an absolute ass.

[LWolf]

23. An ass, to be sure.

My way or the highway...is there ever a time that attitude results in something positive?

[CLANG]

48. That guy would have made a good Nazi

[socialist_n_TN]

52. Exactly Wolf. Happy Holidays...........

encompasses ALL of the late year holidays and not just Christmas. And I agree that I LOVED the way the OP handled this. She stood up to a bully and made him THINK (even if only briefly) about his beliefs.

I'm not a fanatic about this. I'm just wishing people well during the holidays and if Merry Christmas is what I think people want to hear, then I'll say it without any problem, but Happy Holidays IS more encompassing. Of course, that all encompassing IS the problem with the Merry Christmas fanatics.

[jpljr77]

8. Was he really expecting a "Merry Christmas" the day BEFORE Thanksgiving?

Minor point, because I know the Kristmas Krazies really come out starting Friday, and we'll have to defend against that for a whole month.

But for today, I think a simple, "Sir, it's not even Thanksgiving yet" would have shut him up.

[muriel_volestrangler]

39. Good point - this was before the holiday before Christmas

The Christian season of 'Christmas anticipation', Advent, hasn't started yet either. Anyone saying 'Merry Christmas' now is jumping the gun.

[Matariki]

9. Great story! Great reaction! Thanks for sharing that ;-)

[hlthe2b]

10. The guy was an ass...

There is nothing wrong with saying "Happy Holidays".... That said, I really don't think there is anything wrong with wishing even non-Christians a "Merry Christmas." It is a day that is marked by many as a holiday. Wishing that day to be a "merry" one is hard for me to understand as offensive. I take no offense at someone wishing me a "Happy Hannukah," though I have no one in my family that is Jewish. Yet, I am careful to send only Happy Holiday cards because I do know that some Jewish friends do not feel the same.


Frankly it all just makes me want to burrow in and miss the entire season. :shrug:

[Iggo]

12. Happy Holidays! Joyous Festivus!

Or my personal favorite: Scintillating Solstice!

[hlthe2b]

13. I'm guessing I shouldn't wear my festive "DOG is GOD" shirt...

during the season. ;)

[cleanhippie]

14. Great story. I would not have been so nice. Good on you for that.

[LeftinOH]

15. Show him one of these - it'll shut him up fast :

(courtesy of another post)

[riderinthestorm]

16. This is a great christmas story!

Not sure how I've missed you before Zephie, but a belated welcome to DU!

I work volunteering at a secular women's shelter and my local food pantry (also secular), and have found that there are more non-believers like me actually DOING that kind of work than believers. These aren't faith based orgs so I assume believers tend to congregate within their own religious organizations but your Christian customer obviously doesn't have any real world experience helping out in these kinds of front-line service type charitable activities or he'd know that there are many, many of us.

[Dappleganger]

17. Absolutely brilliant response!!

OMG, you're amazing!!!

[asdjrocky]

18. Nicely done. nt

[Joe Fields]

19. That man was in the wrong. However, since it is Christmas

that is being celebrated, I think (IMO) that saying happy holidays is so generic it borders on the meaningless.

It is the Christmas season, and I always say Merry Christmas, even though I do not practice any organized faith.

[Flubadubya]

25. So Thanksgiving is chopped liver?

It's the day before Thanksgiving and it is obligatory to say Merry Christmas? I think Happy Holidays is much more appropriate, especially right now as we do celebrate Thanksgiving as part of the Holiday Season, n'est-ce pas? :shrug:

Oh... and don't forget Hanukkah is part of the season too, and so on.

[Joe Fields]

66. You can say whatever floats your boat. I'm telling you ....

I say Merry Christmas.

And yes, as far as I'm concerned, Thanksgiving is chopped liver.

[nessa]

20. Salvation Army Mission

"The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.
Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination".

If you strongly disagree with that mission you probably shouldn't be ringing their bells. This particular man was rude and obnoxious, but you shouldn't be surprised if when people see you ringing an SA bell, they assume you are Christian.

[Mariana]

21. Expect more of this kind of behavior.

Some of the preachers around where I live are stirring these people up. The flocks are being encouraged to regard the phrase "Happy Holidays" as an intentional insult to them, their religion, and their god, rather than a simple expression of goodwill and cheer.

[Raine]

24. The term Holiday is actually taken from Holy day

and that's what it means. I guess the dummy doesn't know that. :dunce: Really people should have some knowledge before they go mouthing off and making a fool of themselves. :silly:

edit: added word

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

26. Good job! I wish I could think of something that fast.

I want this on a t-shirt.

[pipi_k]

27. Well, I don't normally hold with telling people off in public, but...

I give you :fistbump: for what you said to this asshat.

He probably thought his friggen ten bucks entitled him to act like an obnoxious piece of dogshit.



People who volunteer to do stuff shouldn't be treated the way he treated you.

[muntrv]

28. "We say Merry Christmas here" really means I don't know what happens

on December 25 'cuz I'm too lazy or hungover to get outta bed and go to church.

[bertman]

29. Good for you, Zephie!! For helping out your mom and for telling that asshat off. REC

[pgodbold]

30. WOW! Probably the best Christmas story I'll hear this year. Thank you!! nt

[PSzymeczek]

31. Merry Happy Christmahanukkwanzstice

to all.

[awoke_in_2003]

44. thank you....

I was trying to remember that holiday :)

[badgerpup]

32. We get the Salvation Army bellringers here...

...in front of the Store-That-Must-Not-Be-Named.

I usually buy them a large Snicker's bar, and if it's cold I'll stop into the McDonald's inside and get them something hot to drink (often the counter people at Mickey D's will already know what they like to drink; i.e., coffee, tea, black, white, sweet, etc.) as well.

I don't agree with a lot of Salvation Army's rhetoric either, but some of these bell-ringers look as though they've traveled a very long, hard, rocky road.
Ringing those damn bells in below-zero weather with a windchill of nasty-below-brrrr strikes me as a pretty thankless job.

[baldguy]

33. Some "Christians" think all they need to do is vote Republican and say "Merry Christmas"

For them, feeding the hungry, comforting the sick, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked & visiting those in prison have nothing to do being a Christian.

[awoke_in_2003]

45. and don't forget...

the "Support the Troops" ribbon on their vehicle.

[Arugula Latte]

50. and preferably that vehicle is a giant gas-guzzling SUV

[baldguy]

54. And the tattered, faded & weather-beaten plastic "Made In China" flag flapping in the breeze.

Christ didn't say anything against gays, but he did hypocrites.

[rasputin1952]

34. I've done the SA bell ringing myself...

I have to say that the SA is one of the few "disaster groups", the other major one being the Red Cross, that always show up and offer coffee, donuts, solace and other things that we take for granted. I don't have to agree w/their "mission", but I respect immensely that they are there to help when help is needed.

I applaud the way you dealt with this, and I can easily see where this individual was a hypocrite to the nth degree. $10 is a fine gift for the kettle, I'd say that 95% of what the SA takes in goes to various programs that aid the poor and destitute. I volunteered for them a few years ago, not just bell ringing, but also in the Thrift Shop. I was very impressed w/their "Coats for Kids" program, donations were brisk, and handing a nearly new coat to a kid who is cold is probably the closest thing I can think of to heart warming other than feeding the hungry.

:hi:

[pattmarty]

35. Good for you. I am sick and tired of these sanctimonious motherfuckers.......

.........telling me what and who to believe.


Oh..........AND




HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bluenorthwest]

36. Just so you know, when I see SA 'bell ringers' they get

the stink eye, and if they say a word, they hear what I think. That bell means 'hate and discrimination' to some of us. Have a nice holiday.

[Zephie]

37. Thanks for your contribution. I'm glad you support leaving my elderly mother sitting out there alone

Happy holidays to you too.

[Bluenorthwest]

40. I support your elderly mother not raising fuds for homophobes

let's be clear about that. Putting words into my mouth is not cool. I simply told you that I give the stink eye, if they speak to me I speak my mind, because they are a pro-discrimination group that hates my people. Those are all facts.
And no, I did not suggest leaving your mother alone. I spoke my mind, and shared my point of view. Which you rewrote into something different and crass.
The SA is what it is. No one seeing you ring the bell knows you are doing it for Mom only. That sort of makes it real service to your Mom, you know. That is sweet. But those who see you don't know that. They might give you the stink eye. It is not personal, it is about SA. If you get the stink eye, that is what it is. Not personal, see?
No, you don't see. You are there as a favor. I'm telling you you might get some reactions, so don't take it personally if you do. Some do not know that SA is seen as it is seen by so many. Wanted to hip you to that fact.
How you took from that that I said you should leave your mother in a parking lot is beyond me. Really not a nice way to go about things.

[BlackHoleSon]

57. reread OP

I think the origianl poster makes it perfectly clear he doesn't support a lot of what the SA does. In fact it's the backstory that makes the climax of his story so much more effective.

[whistler162]

42. Sounds like you and the OP's adversary would get along!

[boston bean]

38. Good on you! Throughly enjoyed reading this!

[whistler162]

Should have wished him a Happy Hanukah then worked your way down

the possiblities.

[whistler162]

41. Should have wished him a Happy Hanukah then worked your way down

the possiblities.

[madmax]

43. Bravo to you and a Happy Holiday - you lil hippie ;) nt

[CLANG]

46. How do I know you're not Jewish, ya jackass!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

47. Well played!

:applause:

Too many of those "Christians" don't seem to want to put their money or their fat asses where their big mouths are.

[NewJeffCT]

49. If I'm not mistaken, "Happy Holidays" was originated by the religious right

back in the 1950s, when TV first started getting big, a lot of the religious right leaders were upset that Christmas had become so commercialized with TV advertisements and the like. So, they decided that by saying "Happy Holidays" to cover other holidays, it would make Christmas seem less commercialized, since Happy Holidays could mean Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, etc. and the whole holiday season in general.

[Toucano]

65. +1

True this.

[bongbong]

51. Bravo!

Bravo for your quick thinking (in telling him he should take over for you). The hypocritical & lying teabaggers and repigs need to have their bluff called, since they have no idea what to do or say after they run out of Talking Points that they've been ordered to scream by their messiahs like Adolf Beck.

GOOD JOB!

[orbitalman]

58. Happy C'mas instead of Xmas...

I caught on to this abbreviation a long time ago and so far... no one has complained about it.:fistbump:

[jberryhill]

63. The "X" in Xmas is the Greek letter Chi

For Χριστός - Christos.

Using an "X" for Christ goes back to the earliest Christians.

Christians who object to "Xmas" are ignorant of their own history.

[dkf]

59. Lol. Good for you.

That man should have finished your shift though. Hypocrite.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Zephie]

61. .

.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

62. What the hell is wrong with you?

I'm not crazy about the SA, either, and I think we are all aware of the problems with that organization. But to call the OP an asshole for helping out her mother, well, that's really low.

[johnfromokc]

64. Beautiful story!

Made my day. Thanks!

[DollyM]

67. a couple of things stood out to me with your story . . .

First, you shouldn't apologize for bell ringing for the SA. They do great work and have helped a lot of people through tough times. In times of crisis in our country or abroad, they are always my first choice for a donation because they do have a solid history of helping people in a way that is efficient and makes the most bang for the buck. They don't have CEO's making a bazillion dollars on the top like so many "charities" seem to anymore. Second, I am sorry that someone who represented himeself as a Christian treated you in this way. Those are the people who give Christians a bad name and really it is unfair. I am Christian and I can't ever imagine being rude to someone in such a manner, especially someone who is working in the spirit of Christ and the season. I don't have a problem with either Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. They are both with the intention of wishing someone well. Bottom line is that you can't please everyone so do what works for you within reason. That may offend someone here and there but really, if they are reasonable and stop and think about it, the whole point is to wish someone well. It's like saying "have a nice day" or "have a good evening." As long as someone takes the time to offer me kind words and good thoughts, I am happy. I would imagine that this man has a lot of things wrong in his life and sadly, you happened to be the person he took out his anger on. Don't let it get you down. Go ring those bells and realize that you are doing something truly honorable and in the spirit of the season, and that is what is important, not the verbage used.

[backscatter712]

68. WELL PLAYED!!!

:yourock: :fistbump: :toast: