This article by Jay Nordlinger reminds me of that article by a fellow law student. She angrily demanded that we not "wish her a Merry Christmas" and "force our religious beliefs on her." Gimme a freakin' break. As I sarcastically quipped then, "Yeah, peace on earth and goodwill towards men. We don't need any of that." I'm going to look for that article. I think I saved it. If I can find it, I'll post the full text.
Merry Christmas!
I remember the article vividly. It's right in there with the article calling the second years "idiotic slackers" or "collection of neer do well slackers", whatever the terminology was. I remember the sentiment more than the language.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, taking offense at someone wishing you a "Merry Christmas" is pretty silly, particularly when you consider that the wisher is just trying to be friendly and polite. I mean saying "Merry Christmas" is not exactly issuing a religious epithet. I suppose in the alternative, during the holidays, we can all just walk around and give each other mute nods of acknowledgement, which come to think of it, is how I prefer to walk around anyway. Unfortunately, I have lapsed into Happy Holidays mode myself.
Here's my suggested holiday greeting for retail establishements:
Dear sir or madmam: Merry Christmas, Happy Hannunkah, or Happy Kwanzah. If you are agnostic or an athiest, allow me to say that I hope you enjoy your time off work while the rest of us fool ourselves by engaging in meaningless and atavistic religious rites and rituals during this time of the year. The failure to mention other religions, faiths, or persuasions in this greeting is not meant to suggest or imply that said religions, faiths, or persuasions are not worthy of adherence or celebration. Please forgive my ignorance of your customs and beliefs. I hope you enjoy this season of the year as well. Any commerical broadcast, rebroadcast or reproduction of the pictures, accounts, and descriptions of this greeting without the express written consent of Major League Baseball is strictly prohibited.
By the time the cashier finishes this greeting, the line of people behind you waiting to buy Sponge Bob Square Pants: The Movie, who don't care if they get wished "Merry Christmas" has grown to 37 and tempers are flaring all over.
You say "tomayto", I say "tomahto", let's call the whole thing off.
Krauthammer nails it again:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6396-2004Dec16.html
Hey, guys. Sorry about leaving you conservatives all by your lonesome...
ReplyDeleteI'll chime in on this one...
I've adopted the habit of saying, "Have a nice holiday" out on the west coast. Being that there are many people of different faiths out in L.A., I just think that this is easiest. You can't tell a person's faith from looking at them, so how would you know what to wish them?
I mean, if someone wished you a "Happy Hanukkah!"--it wouldn't mean much, right? Yeah, the good wishes are there--but "Happy Holidays" avoids exchanges like this:
"Merry Christmas!"
"I don't celebrate Christmas. I'm Jewish."
"Oh. I thought that I saw you passing out Christmas gifts at the office..."
It just saves a lot of explaining, especially with strangers.
I do think that it's ridiculous that anyone would get upset at the well-wishing faux pas. Lighten up, folks!
But here's the atheist take on things--
I don't consider Christmas a religious holiday. I mean, how could it be if it is considered a state holiday?
I think the philosopher Ayn Rand said it best:
"The charming aspect of Christmas is the fact that it expresses good will in a cheerful, happy, benevolent, non-sacrificial way...And the good will is expressed in a material, earthly form--by giving presents to one's friends, or by sending them cards in token of remembrance."
So, have a great Christmas everyone!
BUT WHAT ABOUT FESTIVUS?!?