"Christmas" vs "Holiday"

[souwa]

I realise that this is getting more annoying that I thought: are we suppose to feel afraid of saying, "Merry Christmas"?

It's all about "politcal correctness", I know, but sometimes I feel like they are just going a bit too far, to a point where it doesn't really make much sense.

Okay, saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas" may make some customers more comfortable. But what is this that I read in the student newspaper the other day? Saying "holiday tree" instead of "Christmas tree" and having wintery colours (in some stores) such as blues and whites instead of the traditional happy combination of red and white - just because it reminds them too much of "Christmas"? Come on!!

And you know what the ironic thing is (if the above text was not enough)? The State claims that all they want to do is to please as many people as possible - but what percentage of the US population is Christian again?

That said, I must admit that I loved the way in which the GW Hatchet (college paper) columnist ended his article, "In this season of the birth of Christ the Lord our Saviour, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas". Amen.

[The Candyman]

Christmas has not always been a Christian holiday. Originally, the Romans held a celebration dedicated to the god of agriculture, and this lasted through December 25, which at this point in the time was the date of the winter solstice. Only later, around the 4th century, was it turned into a religious holiday.

Also, there's little evidence to suggest that Christ was born on December 25, or even in that month. It's not actually His birthday, it's just the day Christians celebrate it on.

And nowadays, it's not even much of a religious holiday. It's been commercialized. It's a capitalist holiday. Non-Christians celebrate just as much as Christians do. It has become a holiday dominated by Hallmark and consumerism.

So, basically, the nature of Christmas is changing. It started out an agricultural festival. Then it became a religious one. And now it's a commercial one.

In terms of its new commercial nature, it makes sense to say "Happy Holidays" simply as a way of indicating that it now is not a purely religious day. However, I agree with you that it makes no sense at all to do that out of fear for offending people. Who's going to be offended? Other religions? They have their own holidays they can celebrate. Heck, I've even heard it argued that the Jews have commercialized Hannukah simply as a way of keeping up with the Christians and Christmas.

It makes sense to say "Happy Holidays" if the motive is simply to acknowledge the commercial nature of Christmas. However, it's stupid to do so as a way of being "politically correct" and not wanting to offend anyone. Frankly, if a Christian wants to say "Merry Christmas", he/she should be allowed to. And if someone wants to say "Happy Holidays", that's fine too.

I think people are a little more open-minded than to be offended at the mention of a holiday even non-Christians celebrate anyway.