It's obvious I'm on facebook a lot. Today, a friend posted something about how she was so happy to see a business greeting everyone with "Merry Christmas" and how amazing it was. Well, I'll be honest in saying that I can't keep my mouth shut when it comes to things like this.
So, this is how the conversation goes:
BM: just saw the most AMAZING thing... a business saying "Merry Christmas"!
BM: And even more amazing, no one was complaining or offended!?
ME: I have to admit that it is little offensive when someone assumes that you are Christian when you are not. Everyone needs to remember that. This time of year is fun but there are people out there that may not believe in the same things that you and I do.
ME: And, my last comment was not meant to be rude. Ü
BM: I understand that, but we have to remember our heritage that this country was founded upon. The majority of people do still believe and celebrate Christmas, so when you go to only serve a small population, you are excluding the majority. And hey, if you don't believe in Christmas, God bless ya, but don't infringe on my and most others beliefs! I'll get off my soap box now!
ME: That's why "Happy Holidays" is best said rather than "Merry Christmas" because you don't know who you are really speaking to (if you are working with the public.)...but you can still be in the holiday mood. Ü
Explaining this conversation to my dad this evening, he tried to REMIND me that I can't persuade people like BM to "think" like I do. I just chuckled and said that I wasn't trying to persuade her to do anything. I just wanted her to remember that not everyone is alike. The funny thing is, is that most people who consider themselves the most "christian," are the ones that tend to forget about those around them that ARE different from them. This is something that needs to be recognized.
P.S. I'm not really surprised that my friend feels this way. Her husband is a southern baptist pastor. The ultra "holier than thou;" "Put 'C' in CHRISTmas;" "Keep CHRIST in Schools!" Gag me with a spoon already.
1 comment:
You know what's interesting about all of this is that our country's roots are Masonic. And Masons aren't necessarily Christian - but Christians have co-opted those roots.
I love Christmas AND I think other holidays during the same time (i.e. Hannukah today) are awesome as well. So I love to say & hear "happy holidays" because I think it's a great conversation starter about religion... but nobody takes it that far. They just assume "merry Christmas to you whether you're Christian or not and don't you dare get offended, it's my right to wish you a Merry Christmas."
I agree with your dad that you can't persuade her to think like you do and I know you weren't trying to... and besides, with the folks I know who are like that... "thinking" isn't really very high on their list of things to do.
LaShawn
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