Question about the phrase "Merry Christmas"?

It's beyond ridiculous.

If someone gets offended because I say "Merry Christmas", then they deserve to be offended and I will feel no guilt.

When someone says "Happy Holidays" to me, I ask them which holiday, and make them commit.

I also hate it when people say "holiday tree".

I think you make a good point, but we no longer live in a Christian based society. We now live in a pagan based society with those of us Christians hanging on the best we can to all that was good and Holy. And, I hasten to add that Happy Holidays was a term used long before the atheists started whining about having Merry Christmas said to them by all us haters. Happy Holidays, was a reference to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.... also, when Christians and Jewish people became less biased Hanukkah was added to the term Holidays. Now, Kwanzaa is considered one of the Holidays. I don't have a problem including all the religious holidays, most Christians don't. It is the atheists and pagans that are causing discord among us. The important thing is to just be loving to everyone and considerate of each other's needs in relation to religion. Peace to you.

No, it's not weird at all. If you look at the calendar, you'll find that there are other religious holidays in December other than Christmas.

I don't think people are "afraid" of being politically incorrect. I think people are just trying to be courteous in awareness that we live in a religiously diverse society.

If I know someone celebrates Christmas, I'll say Merry Christmas. If I know someone celebrates Hannukah, I say Happy Hanukkah. If I don't know what someone celebrates, I'll say Happy Holidays. That's not about political correctness; it would be like calling every woman "Mary" if I didn't know her name. A pointless assumption.

I celebrate the Winter Solstice (Yule), but I don't go around saying "Happy Solstice" to people when I don't know if they celebrate it. It seems silly to do so.

If someone says Merry Christmas to me, I don't think it is offensive, but you might as well have said, "Happy Thursday," because that's about how much meaning it holds for me. However, if someone says Happy Holidays to me, it reminds me of my actual holiday, and is meaningful then to me. I just try to extend others the same courtesy.

I don't think the calendar is a good argument to use on this issue...

In any case, I have no problem saying Merry Christmas and would not be the least bit offended if someone came up and said Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa.

yes the calendar is based on Jesus the term ce (common era) doesnt change that it just tries to cover it up. I say either accept it as Merry Christmas or volunteer to work that day if it means nothing.

Let's clarify the situation. Some people are *choosing* to say greetings other than Merry Christmas in order to be more inclusive. Political correctness implies an insincere gesture. I think most people are sincerely trying to spread cheer to people of all backgrounds.

There's no rule against people who still choose to say Merry Christmas. Being inclusive of others does not exclude you, unless you decide to exclude yourself.

In fact, doesn't it make Merry Christmas more special? It's like Hannukah greetings -- they are more religion-specific instead of general and secular.

Me and my boss just LOVE to go the stores and wish people a "Merry Christmas". They look at you strange and wish you a Happy "Holidays". When you say "Merry Christmas" to people here in the SF Bay area, it's like saying "F" you to people. They get SO offended. I simply live off the thrill, sorry, I know it's against the season but I'm only human!!

I prefer to override politically correct/incorrectness with Spirtitual correctness. I'm wished by my Muslim and Hindu colleagues and friends with Merry Christmas as they respect me and so do they respect my festivities not to mention they celebrate with us.

It ain't weird that Christ put a split between History but most people prefer to be ignorant of the fact to suit themselves/their unbelief.

CE stands for Christian Era, no sweat.

From now on, 11 months out of the year, I will wish people "Happy Holidays", since there are holidays that people observe throughout the year.

December is reserved for "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Or maybe just "Happy Jesus' Birthday".

That is why I use the Chinese calendar. Sure it makes the life of every one I know more complicated but I think it is the right thing to do.

All I have to say is that without the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit people are full of foolishness and non-sense.