It's Called Christmas

[MomTimesFive]

I saw this link on WoodlandsOnline.com. I LOVE it! It's so true that people are so worried about offending non-believers but don't give a hoot if they offend the rest of us. Personally, if someone were to wish me "Happy Hanukkah" I wouldn't be the least bit offended. Good wishes are never a bad thing and neither is calling something what it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

[baby duck]

Happy Hanukkah!

Started yesterday, yes?

[MomTimesFive]

Yes, it started yesterday at sunset. Thanks! :)

[eaglesprings]

I liked that "It's Called Christmas" video. For something a little more irreverant (as the Rabbi who posted it on The Chronicle described it), here's a little something that absolutely cracked me up!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/352871/chanukah_vs_christmas/

[MomTimesFive]

LOL! That was funny! :D

[Wilson]

I've said Happy Holidays to people for as long as I can remember and have been sending out "Holiday" cards for many, many years. To me, it's not about not offending somebody, it's about wishing my friends and family of many faiths and non, happiness. Christmas just doesn't apply to a lot of people, y/k? I don't care what other people do; this is what *I* am comfortable with.

[eaglesprings]

Wilson, I tend to agree.

We haven't sent out Christmas cards in a long time, but when we did, I tried to be aware of who I was sending them to. I wanted to send them something (Christian and non-Christian, alike) something they would appreciate. Some Christians like the funny stuff, some like the serious, and some people aren't Christian at all, but might be celebrating a different holiday.

I love Christmas! I really want to be wished a Merry Christmas, but if someone says something else, I appreciate the well wishes, anyway. I think the whole issue is that people feel like Christmas is being pushed out. That's not really right, either.

How hard would it be for a store clerk to see what a customer is buying? Say "Merry Christmas" if that customer is buying holiday stuff that "looks" like Christmas, or "Happy Holidays," if they are in doubt? I don't like the whole political correctness thing, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not really a big deal.

[Candleman]

The "holiday" is to celebrate the birth of Christ, therefore it is and should be addressed as Merry Christmas.

[Wilson]

The "holiday" is to celebrate the birth of Christ, therefore it is and should be addressed as Merry Christmas.

Um, to Christians, yes. But I have many friends that are not Christian and are celebrating something other than the Birth of Christ.

Including, but certainly not limited to:

Winter Solstice & Yule
Chanukkah
Kwanzaa
Lunar/Chinese New Year
Luciadagen

[eaglesprings]

Agreed, Wilson. There are many holidays going on this time of year. To me, this time of year is meaningful because of the birth of Jesus Christ. That doesn't mean someone else's holiday is any less meaningful to them.

It's the whole "Do unto others" thing, ya know? Under the same token, I don't want to sacrifice my holiday for theirs.

[Candleman]

Um, to Christians, yes. But I have many friends that are not Christian and are celebrating something other than the Birth of Christ.

Including, but certainly not limited to:

Winter Solstice & Yule
Chanukkah
Kwanzaa
Lunar/Chinese New Year
Luciadagen

Well considering the majority of our country is Christian, Merry Christmas is appropriate. It is also a Federal Holiday (Christmas). Wish your friends whatever holiday they partake in. This is "The Christmas Season" not The Kwanza season. I have no problem with those that celebrate a holiday I don't, so why should they have a problem with the one I and the majority of Americans celebrate? Because I don't celebrate Cinco de Mayo should I insist it be called Margarita Day instead, since I have enjoyed a good drink before.

[Wilson]

Who said *not* to say "Merry Christmas"? Say whatever you want, but I didn't sell out or whatever because I choose to say something else.

[Carpe Diem]

I bought cards today that are patriotic and say (front) "Season's Best" (back) For a Year Full of Peace". I bought those for my non-Christian friends and my political friends. I am going to send the leftovers to military men/women.

[eaglesprings]

Not a sell out at all, but I can understand why some are really miffed that "Merry Christmas" is not used. People feel "picked on." Not me. Heck, I'll take "Happy Holidays" over "Eat Crud and Die," for instance! LOL!

I still don't understand why it's such a big issue. The fact is, there are many, many holidays celebrated this time of year. I don't think anyone should be excluded, but I don't feel excluded if someone says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." I often say "Happy Holidays" myself. (New Year's pretty closely follows Christmas).

[eaglesprings]

I bought cards today that are patriotic and say (front) "Season's Best" (back) For a Year Full of Peace". I bought those for my non-Christian friends and my political friends. I am going to send the leftovers to military men/women.


That's a good idea, Carpe Diem.

My step-son graduated from a military school a few years back, and the invocation ending was "In Your Name, we pray." You know, 99 percent of that audience was probably Christian, but we can still respect those of other faiths. It's not a sell out, or a trade off. At least they still had a prayer, true?

[TXrose]

What's wrong with saying "Happy Holidays".

There's that one Christmas song that goes.

Happy Holidays. Happy Holidays. And the merry bells keep ringing Happy Holidays to you.


That's all I can remember of it at the moment.

[Candleman]

I don't have a problem with Happy Holidays as long as it's not a trade off for Merry Christmas. It's always about offending the minority while offending the majority seems to have an open season.

[futurenurse]

I don't know if you were trying to funny with the Margarita Day thing, but that is hilarious!

[Wilson]

It's always about offending the minority while offending the majority seems to have an open season.

You're always the first one to bring this up... are you overly sensitive or something? Because I've gone through life without being able to recall a single time somebody has offended me regarding my religious beliefs. Maybe you should reconsider who you are hanging out with if you are always being offended by them?

Besides that, you have no problem bashing people that believe differently than you in the political arena. You don't want to be offended? How about starting with not being offensive?

[msmichellemiller]

I don't know if you were trying to funny with the Margarita Day thing, but that is hilarious!
I laughed at that, too. (I thought it WAS margarita day---are they celebrating something else?!:p)
kidding...I know they are. As far as this whole thread and everyone's holidays: I don't care in the least bit about any of it and I'm glad I don't because none of it offends me either way. I think all the PC crap is silly, silly, silly. People that go around whining about how it "offends" them are equally as silly. So much more in life to be concerned with.
***No, I'm not saying anyone on here is whining or silly. Unless you've stated that you are offended by someone saying Merry Xmas to you or whatever. Or if you're Al Sharpton.

[eaglesprings]

I think Mrs. Michelle Miller hit the nail on the head. The ruckus these things cause, (mostly commercial based), are "silly." I don't take it as a personal offense if a store employee wishes me "Happy Holidays" as opposed to "Merry Christmas." Heck, this day and age, it's just nice to find a friendly store employee! LOL!

Now, I agree, calling a Christmas tree anything other than a Christmas tree IS silly! I just don't get my panties in a wad over it.

[MomTimesFive]

I agree that people shouldn't be offended by "Happy Holidays". What I don't like is when people go out of their way to avoid saying, "Merry Christmas" even to people who celebrate it.

[eaglesprings]

Agreed, Momxfive! Why would anyone do that?

I think we all get a little too sensitive, sometimes. Man, we would have been terrible New Testament Christians! (Seriously, not being wished a Merry Christmas by a politically correct or perhaps anal friend, or getting eaten by a lion! Uh, let me think!)

[MomTimesFive]

(Seriously, not being wished a Merry Christmas by a politically correct or perhaps anal friend, or getting eaten by a lion! Uh, let me think!)

LOL! :D It's all about perspective, isn't it?

[mdonn76405]

:rolleyes:

Happy Holidays
Happy Candle Holder Days
Happy Loud Clothing Days
Have a nice walk to the special land

Did I miss anyone?
I sure as hell don't want to offend anyone by missing someone's special season.

[Candleman]

You're always the first one to bring this up... are you overly sensitive or something? Because I've gone through life without being able to recall a single time somebody has offended me regarding my religious beliefs. Maybe you should reconsider who you are hanging out with if you are always being offended by them?

Besides that, you have no problem bashing people that believe differently than you in the political arena. You don't want to be offended? How about starting with not being offensive?

Not sensitive at all when it comes to this type of stuff. I save the sensitive side for family and friends.

I have not been offended by my religious beliefs either. But I am offended at the constant Christian bashing. I rarely hear Christians bash those that aren't. I have never heard a Catholic bash a Baptist, or a Methodist, etc. But, I have heard plenty of all religions bash Catholics.

I rather enjoy my small group of close friends. Among them are many religious beliefs and political beliefs. But, thanks for the advice anyway, but I think I will keep it the way it is.

Your idea of political bashing is more on the sensitive side than most. But I will strongly disagree with those that think it is OK to kill a child but think the death penalty is just a horrible act by mankind. In all my years I have just not been able to understand that way of thinking.

I don't get offended by someone elses views. About the only thing that can really offend me is something done wrong to a family member, a close friend, or those that cannot defend themselves. Well, people like Quanell X I do find offensive.;)


Off topic a bit but I loved this response.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-BFEhkIujA

And might I add wolf is an idiot lol

[Wilson]

But I am offended at the constant Christian bashing...But I will strongly disagree with those that think it is OK to kill a child but think the death penalty is just a horrible act by mankind.

The next time you come across "Christian bashing", could you please point it out to me? Sincerely... I'd like to see exactly what you are talking about.

I support a Woman's Right to Choose and I oppose the Death Penalty.

[FamilyGal]

"Eat Crud and Die,"

Heehee, where can I buy those cards?

[Candleman]

The next time you come across "Christian bashing", could you please point it out to me? Sincerely... I'd like to see exactly what you are talking about.

I support a Woman's Right to Choose and I oppose the Death Penalty.

One small example
Rosie O'Donnell on "The View:"

"Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIoDTzvEdGw

[Wilson]

Do you happen to have a transcript? I really can't stand those people enough to watch that.

[Candleman]

Do you happen to have a transcript? I really can't stand those people enough to watch that.


LMAO


According to a transcript of the show obtained by TruthOrFiction.com, O'Donnell brought up the subject of a national speech made by President George W. Bush on September 11. In it, the President said that the safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle on the streets of Baghdad. O'Donnell said she felt the the outcome "...depends on the battle in the streets of New Orleans," referring to reconstruction and relief efforts after the gulf hurricanes in 2005.

Another of the hosts on The View, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, spoke on behalf of the President and his actions in Afghanistan and Iraq saying, "I mean, it's been five years, we have not been attacked," Hasselbeck said. "We're also in a- We're on the on the offense here. We have to be, because we were attacked five years ago."

O'Donnell said, "We were attacked, not by a nation, and as a result of the attack and the killing of nearly 3,000 innocent people, we invaded two countries and killed innocent people in their countries."

Hasselbeck replied, "But do you understand that that the belief funding those attacks, okay, that is wide spread? And if you take radical Islam and you want to talk about what's going on there, you have to..."

O'Donnell interrupted with, "And just one second. Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have a separation of church and state. We're a democracy here."

"Hang on," Hasselbeck replied. "We are not bombing ourselves here in the country. We are being attacked."

"No," said O'Donnell. "But we are bombing innocent people in other countries. True or false?"

Another co-host Joy Behar, added, "But, but Christians are not threatening to kill us. There's that difference, This group is threatening to kill us."

[MomTimesFive]

But I will strongly disagree with those that think it is OK to kill a child but think the death penalty is just a horrible act by mankind. In all my years I have just not been able to understand that way of thinking.

This has always been a head scratcher to me too :confused: Even more so since I had my first baby 20 years ago. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, my "mother bear" instincts kicked in, and I wouldn't let anything harm my baby .

I believe that a woman has the right to choose NOT to get pregnant if she doesn't want to have a baby. There are just too many ways to prevent pregnancy these days for me to believe that abortion is a necessary choice. I like to believe that women are smart, responsible and capable of making good choices when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies.

[eaglesprings]

So, now Christmas is tied into political views somehow? Birth control views?

Come on, ya'll! It's Christmas! (Or, whatever holiday you choose). I just think this one time of year, we could leave politics and such aside.

Happy Holidays! (Happy Holy Days. Hmmm.....has a nice ring to it, actually!)

Candleman, you seem to have a talent for hijacking a thread. (Snicker). I can understand that, you know, being the Queen of changing a subject? But, dang!

I don't mean to offend. Go talk about me on your blog. (Which I can't read. LOL! Trash me! But, Merry Christmas to you and yours, anyway).

[Wilson]

I'm really scratching my head here. O'Donnell pulled that out of nowhere; it doesn't seem relevant to the conversation. The others pretty much nipped that.

Isn't it her *job* to be controversial? Doesn't that inspire higher ratings? I have a hard time taking the conversation seriously! Evenmoreso, I can't see where she is being offensive.

[Wilson]

I'm not going to get into an Abortion debate tonight. I believe in a Woman's Right to Choose. Period.

[mdonn76405]

Now that we have left the subject to talk about pro or con choice, I have one last comment.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

[Candleman]

You're always the first one to bring this up... are you overly sensitive or something? Because I've gone through life without being able to recall a single time somebody has offended me regarding my religious beliefs. Maybe you should reconsider who you are hanging out with if you are always being offended by them?

Besides that, you have no problem bashing people that believe differently than you in the political arena. You don't want to be offended? How about starting with not being offensive?

Jane this is where the thread changed. I do accept your apology in advance, and Merry Christmas to you and your family and a very happy and safe New Year!:)

[Wilson]

Actually, today is St. Nikolaustag!

Lieber Nikolaus Komm in unser Haus,
laß die Rut nicht raus, pack die Taschen aus!
Alle Kinder essen gern Äpfel, Nüsse, Mandelkern.

:p

[Wilson]

Excuse me? That was simply in response to this:

It's always about offending the minority while offending the majority seems to have an open season.

[Candleman]

I don't have a problem with Happy Holidays as long as it's not a trade off for Merry Christmas. It's always about offending the minority while offending the majority seems to have an open season.;)

[Candleman]

Actually, today is St. Nikolaustag!

Lieber Nikolaus Komm in unser Haus,
laß die Rut nicht raus, pack die Taschen aus!
Alle Kinder essen gern Äpfel, Nüsse, Mandelkern.

:p

Is that interpeted as have another beer?;)

[Wilson]

You've got to have *something* to wash the nuts down with!

[mdonn76405]

John F. Donnelly
NASA/Aircraft Maintenance Officer

The bitterness of poor quality
remains long after the sweetness
of the low price has been forgotten

Look at this one and be proud……….
Arlington at Christmas

Had no idea this was done. Thought you might enjoy seeing it.


Arlington National Cemetery


Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.


Know the line has held, Your job is done.


Rest easy, Sleep well.


Others have taken up where you fell; The line has held.


Peace, Peace, and Farewell...


Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington , Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this si nce 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.


Please share this with everyone on your address list.

We hear too much about the bad.

[Candleman]

I have been reading about and seeing this true Patriot on TV for a few years now. Check out this info for this year.
http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/

[mdonn76405]

I've asked to be buried in Arlington. It is kind of comforting to know that I will not be forgotten.
The wreaths give that comforting feeling.

[Candleman]

Caution: The videos can be emotionally draining.

[mdonn76405]

I can't watch them. I went to the mobile wall once. I lasted about thirty seconds and my wife suggested we leave. Those guys are truly my brothers and I miss them. I also have that guilt that goes with, "Why them and not me?".

[msmichellemiller]

Actually, today is St. Nikolaustag!

Lieber Nikolaus Komm in unser Haus,
laß die Rut nicht raus, pack die Taschen aus!
Alle Kinder essen gern Äpfel, Nüsse, Mandelkern.

:p


CRAP!!!! I forgot about that. I looked up at my calendar today and thought there was something about the date but then thought it was Pearl Harbor day. (It's a dry-erase calendar so no holidays already marked) Doh....oh well I guess the kids just missed another opportunity to eat candy; not a bad thing.

[Wilson]

Today (the 7th) is Pearl Harbor day. Nikolaustag is the 6th.

[msmichellemiller]

This has always been a head scratcher to me too :confused: Even more so since I had my first baby 20 years ago. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, my "mother bear" instincts kicked in, and I wouldn't let anything harm my baby .

I believe that a woman has the right to choose NOT to get pregnant if she doesn't want to have a baby. There are just too many ways to prevent pregnancy these days for me to believe that abortion is a necessary choice. I like to believe that women are smart, responsible and capable of making good choices when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies.
Yeah but what about women that are raped, victims of incest or if the pregnancy is endangering mother's or baby's life? Or what if the baby had such a terrible congenital problem that it's quality of life would be awful? That's about the only time I would make the choice to have one, personally. I have placed a child for adoption in the past; my choice to do so because I figured although it wasn't a planned pregnancy, I would at least carry it to full term and give him to a couple that wanted him. I was healthy, he was healthy and it was *my* own fault for getting pregnant so I wasn't going to just terminate the problem with no more reason than just pure inconvienience.

[mdonn76405]

Isn't amazing how your quality of life can be controlled by others. Men are usually behind Pro Choice. They also kept women from voting. They built the Glass Ceiling, wouldn't let women work, join the military, or handle money.
Now that you women have gained all that responsibility, I guess it is time to give you control of your own body. If you make a bad choice, like none of us men have ever done,:cool: I guess you'll have to live with it.
Boy, I'm glad i am a male and have never made a mistake. I thought I did once, but I was mistaken.

You guys are all grown up now, I'm not going to judge you.

Merry Christmas!

[MomTimesFive]

Yeah but what about women that are raped, victims of incest or if the pregnancy is endangering mother's or baby's life? Or what if the baby had such a terrible congenital problem that it's quality of life would be awful? That's about the only time I would make the choice to have one, personally

I totally understand how a woman could and maybe should terminate a pregnancy in certain situations. I've just known too many women who use abortion as a method of birth control. I think it's sad that babies are seen as disposable. We make a lot of choices as adults, and sometimes those choices lead to consequences. Everybody makes mistakes. I admire you so much for handling the situation you found yourself in in a mature, responsible and unselfish manner.

[Murphy Stoffelis]

The next time you come across "Christian bashing", could you please point it out to me? Sincerely... I'd like to see exactly what you are talking about...

Are you speaking in general (as out in the real world) or just this site? :)

[Wilson]

Anywhere and everywhere...

[Candleman]

Anywhere and everywhere...
Some very good point made in the link below.
http://www.kxmc.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=182066

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/12/06/faith/18_27_1211_29_07.txt

[MomTimesFive]

It seems like atheists are all for freedom and rights.....as long as you don't have a point of view that is different from theirs :rolleyes:

[Wilson]

Ah, okay... so one particular group (the same group - American Athiests, Inc., is the one group represented in BOTH of these articles) are making a stink, right or not, so you lump all Athiests together as being represented by this one group?

Are all Christians led by Fred Phelps? No!

[MomTimesFive]

It seems like there are more cases of atheists suing to have crosses taken down than there are cases of Christians suing to have a menorah taken down or to have Jewish food removed from the grocery stores where they shop.

[eaglesprings]

I think we can safely say the "radical" atheists are the minority.

But, you never hear a story of an atheist suing to get a Mennorah taken down, or a Star of David. It could be because those things aren't traditionally on display in public squares. Perhaps they should be. Perhaps if the other holidays were recognized every bit as much, the radicals would lose their fuel? Christians would actually be "less threatened" if there were more displays around of other faiths. As it is, Christian displays are being removed. But, would these radical groups attack if other displays of faith were up? Would radical atheists be willing to take on "all faiths?"

Just a thought......

[MomTimesFive]

I, for one, would have no problem with displays of other faiths being in public places because it is not offensive or threatening to me in any way. I know that radical atheists are the minority, which is why I can't understand why they get their way so often when it comes to removing crosses and such.

[Wilson]

It seems like there are more cases of atheists suing to have crosses taken down than there are cases of Christians suing to have a menorah taken down or to have Jewish food removed from the grocery stores where they shop.

The media operates off sensationalism. *I* don't think it's fair to determine the intentions of pretty much any group based off what the news/media reports. Seriously, if that was the case, I'd *never* go into Houston because the entire Houston area is unsafe. Just look at the news - shootings every night, police officers killed, rapes, kidnappings, crosses burning in yards, carjackings, etc.

[eaglesprings]

I don't understand removing crosses, either. I could understand if someone killed in the line of duty was of another faith, substituting another symbol, and I could understand someone fighting for that. But, just to remove signs of faith from all of society, I don't understand that.

I tend to agree that the media thrives on the sensational. But, in all fairness, I have visited some atheist websites, and they are pretty much out for Christian beliefs. It's probably because that is the predominate religion in this area. It may be unfair, but I think those "radicals" really aren't about freedom or separation of church and state, they want any belief in God removed from our society. They'll go after the majority, first.

So, why not join forces, put up some other displays, try to find out the faith of a hero killed in the line of duty, and honor that individual? Let them tackle faith, all faith. See what happens, then?

I do understand it is only really politically radical people behind what we see in the news. I just think they would lose some of their steam if their focus was not only on one group.

As a side note, the sales clerk at Dillard's today wished me "Happy Holidays." I responded with the ultimate in holy response:

"Thank you! Same to you!" (Sorry, I was hungry, and ready to leave! I should have said, "Merry Christmas.")

[Candleman]

Ah, okay... so one particular group (the same group - American Athiests, Inc., is the one group represented in BOTH of these articles) are making a stink, right or not, so you lump all Athiests together as being represented by this one group?

Are all Christians led by Fred Phelps? No!

Actually the first article is a blog post telling the story. The second link is an article reporting the outcome of the story. I posted the story first and in fairness posted the outcome of the story. Seems fair and reasonable to me.

I have not posted others, because no matter what I post that you asked for, a huge wall of defense for the Christian bashers will appear in your reply. If you are interested in other stories, there is no shortage of them.

Also, I didn't "lump" any person or group into anything. Unlike many forms of media, I posted the story and the outcome.

[Wilson]

I have not posted others, because no matter what I post that you asked for, a huge wall of defense for the Christian bashers will appear in your reply. If you are interested in other stories, there is no shortage of them.

Likely... :rolleyes: