I must admit I am not very politicaly correct because I always make a point not to say “Happy Holidays”. In fact, if someone says “Happy Holidays” to me, I answer back “Merry Christmas”. So, have a very Merry Christmas!
I must admit I am not very politicaly correct because I always make a point not to say “Happy Holidays”. In fact, if someone says “Happy Holidays” to me, I answer back “Merry Christmas”. So, have a very Merry Christmas!
Generally speaking, I do say “Merry Christmas” but not without some misgivings. After all, the Jewish population in the Glens Falls greater area is substantial, as is the agnostic contingent… not to mention a small minority of other non-Christians, and atheists. As to Hartford itself–it’s clearly not an island–I know that there are a significant enough number in the first mentioned groups to warrant “Happy Holidays.”
And, of course, many of us leave the area from time to time, and should be aware that is generally more diversity elsewhere, so that the “HH” is the more acceptable greeting.
I guess the real rule or sensitivity should be that if you’re not sure of the others religion or are speaking to a group, use “HH” Otherwise the “Merry Christmas” is fine.
Sorry Gerry but I am going to stick with Merry Christmas. I am not the slight bit prejudicial but if a heathen has a problem with that then maybe they should be “sensitive” and worry that they might offend me.
pass it on
But “HH” is not specific to a religion, while “MC” is specifically Christian. So “HH” should never offend anyone, and certainly not the majority, which has more social and political power.
This said, I’m trying to be clear about an issue, not to convert my supervisor.
Gerry, bless you for advising me not to mix religion with politics…
When Christians say Merry Christmas, they are
celebrating the birth of their Lord and Savior.
If, as Gerry says, Happy Holidays is not specific
to a religion, then what holiday are you
celebrating Gerry? Please educate me.
This post is actually helpful for someone who has been having troubles with this position. I have seen at a number of resources but to no avail. I will keep reading and reading here in the desire of at long last getting past this.
Theresa, I said above that Christians, especially active Christians, do and should say “Merry Christmas” to each other, but they probably should not say it to those they’re unsure of.
Thomas Jefferson introduced the concept of “a wall of separation between Church and State” and this country has followed his dictum (Rogers Williams founded Rhode Island as a haven from State religious oppression in Mass) So, the US is supposed to be a country of religious toleration–which means sensitivity to non-Christian religions, to those who practice no religion, and yes even to lapsed Christians who rarely go to church (many do have their reasons).
And I really should add that since we live in an era so close to the Jewish Holocaust, that the motivation for sensitivity about this greeting should be even stronger.
Finally, non-Christians may be very tolerant of the greeting “Merry Christmas” but I don’t think one should necessarily expect that tolerance.