[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: What's wrong with "Merry Christmas"?

[Lee Kaiwen]

americanghosttour blessed us with this gem On 22/12/2007 10:23:

 > Wiccan We celebrate Yule. (Most of your modern Christmas traditions
 > come from our ancient ones, btw.) But if I dare say, "Blessed Yule"

Well, debatable as your premise is, in that case I would expect Wiccans 
of all people to be most at home in the holiday, rather than 
(apparently) dead-set against enjoying it.

As for myself, I've been singing "yuletide carols" since I was young 
enough to mouth the words to "Harold Angels" in church, so I'm not sure 
why your coworkers are such a contrary bunch.

americanghosttour:

 > No reason to force your beliefs on everyone you meet,

Alla:

 > I personally don't understand why anyone would want to insist that
 > "everyone" should celebrate Christmas

When did wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" became tantemount to trying 
to force religion (whatever that means) on anyone? It's an expression of 
good will, period. No one's asking you to celebrate the holiday, just 
hoping your December 25th is a happy one.

Alla:

 > It was fascinating being in southeast Asia where most people were
 > Buddhists, their major holiday was Tet, and almost no one celebrated
 > Christmas.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I live in east Asia, where nearly 
everyone is Buddhist, Christmas is not a holiday at all -- and no one 
takes offense at being wished "Merry Christmas".

Alla:

 > not everyone wants to be reminded of the holidays. One friend of mine
 > said she wanted not freedom of religion, but freedom "from religion."

Which, near as I can tell, is code for, "I never want to hear religion 
mentioned", so all those Christians should just keep their religion to 
themselves.

So everything is to be tolerated and supported EXCEPT public displays of 
religion? I hate to sound callous, but I think your friend needs to 
learn a little more tolerance herself.

CJ (who just can't believe so many folk take offense at being wished 
happiness)