What's wrong with "Merry Christmas"?

[sistermagpie]

> Geoff:

> Hence, I like to feel that we can "own" our festivals without folk 
who are 
> outside Christianity apparently trying to dilute our belief to suit 
their own 
> taste. My apologies if that seems critical but that is how it often 
looks 
> from my point of view.

Magpie:
I'm afraid I still don't get it. Certainly any Christian can "own" 
Christian as a holiday that's very significant to them in a religious 
way. Though of course Christmas has a complicated history, I think, 
like all holidays--there was a time where Christmas was *illegal* in 
some parts of the US for religious reasons. It was considered abhorrent 
to God--by one group of Christians, and obviously not others.

When it comes to Christmas and other holidays the more secular holiday 
exists and is important in whatever way it is important to somebody 
else. If somebody is Christian I would wish them Merry Christmas 
because I'm genuinely wishing them a good holiday as they celebrate it. 

But who are you referring to here? Are you making a comment about what 
I guess would be just called "bad Christians?" Or "weak Christians?" 
People you don't think practice their faith correctly--like basically 
an internal disagreement amongst people of the same church?

-m