Merry Christmas? Not according to this man in Saskatoon

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Thor

Wow atheists d-bags? Really.

Well first not everyone is Christian, and most Atheists I know could care less about this stuff, in fact its usually the Christians who are the ones all upset over the use of Happy Holidays. We are utterly draped in Christmas decorations, songs and TV for almost 2 months.

This has always to do with the idea that a civic or government institution not be picking a religious side, since Merry Christmas is aimed towards one religion, there are people who wonder why not just be inclusive and say Happy Holidays.

If that's d-baggery than sure, have at it hoss.

Yes, athiest d-bags. I've no issue with athiests any more than I do religious types - so long as they don't behave like d-bags in the process. This moron is one of them, unfortunately.

And no, this has nothing to do with a government institution "picking a religious side". This is all about a small little man attention whoring. One really has to be a fool to think that using the word "Christmas" is pandering to a specific religion. It's a generic term these days. And I have no respect for sad little people whose lives are so miserable that simply uttering the word drives them to such anger.

[Minnie]

This is my favorite 'war on xmas' bullpoopery to show up in my newsfeed on FB...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln01p1M2cH0

[To Be Quite Honest]

[Minnie]

Mr Hankey the Christmas Poo!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

One really has to be a fool to think that using the word "Christmas" is pandering to a specific religion. It's a generic term these days.

I guess it makes me a fool, I associate Christmas with Christianity.

And I have no respect for sad little people whose lives are so miserable that simply uttering the word drives them to such anger.

Have to agree, the war on Christmas and guys like this do nothing but make noise, its a waste of time.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Thor

Christmas.. Yes Christians certainly don't think its a secular holiday, even though yes I agree 90% of that holiday has nothing to do with Christianity.

But i think this is a huge point here that the anti government involvement in Christmas folks miss. It isnt the government supporting a religious holiday its the government supporting a cultural festival.

Wishing someone a Merry Christmas is as about as offensive as asking someone if they have been to stampede yet or putting go stamps go or go flames go on the buses. These are all things that not all people participate in but are part of a culture that is deeply rooted in this country.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by GGG

But i think this is a huge point here that the anti government involvement in Christmas folks miss. It isnt the government supporting a religious holiday its the government supporting a cultural festival.

Wishing someone a Merry Christmas is as about as offensive as asking someone if they have been to stampede yet or putting go stamps go or go flames go on the buses. These are all things that not all people participate in but are part of a culture that is deeply rooted in this country.

Well, then we're going to have to agree to disagree on that one. I think that if I walk down the street and grab 100 people at random and ask them if Christmas has anything to do with Christianity, I think a majority would say that it does. It is to Christianity what Yom Kippur is to Judaism, what Eid al-Fitr is to Islam, what Diwali is to Hinduism. The day is, and forever will be, tied directly to the birth of the Christian Lord. You can claim that you have wrestled the day away from the Christians and co-opted it into a secular over-commercialized gluttony-fest (I obviously have a greater distaste for the "cultural" side of Christmas than the religious aspect), but as much as Santa coming down the chimney bringing X-boxes may be all that Christmas is to some people, but to many, many others it is THE most important religious holiday on the calendar.

[nik-]

Christmas is a christian holiday and that's fine. It's celebrating the birth of a central figure (historical accuracy issues aside) it's not celebrating the exclusion of Muslims, Jews, Hindus etc.

Lighten up and allow societies you join continue to practice their customs. It's not like they just sprung Christmas on you as a surprise.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by nik-

Lighten up and allow societies you join continue to practice their customs. It's not like they just sprung Christmas on you as a surprise.

Well, see, are we Canadian or American? Are we about multiculturalism or a melting pot? Do we want to integrate or assimilate? Do we want minorities to STFU while the majority revel? I thought we were more about inclusivity rather than excluding people?

I don't think anyone - ANYONE - is saying that Christians shouldn't be able to celebrate their holiday. The guy in the article isn't even saying that and he's on the extreme radical fringe. He's saying that public funds shouldn't go towards promoting one religion.

[nik-]

There's a city supported Chinese New Year festival in Chinatown every year and there are no complaints about that (well, I'm sure there is actually, but those would be stupid too).

It's the major holiday for the religion of the founders of this country. If you get offended because someone says Merry Christmas to you because you're not christian when you're well aware of the holiday season built around it, you're a ######bag, straight up.

[WCW Nitro]

I'm a minority (Muslim) and stories like this really annoy me. We're allowed to practice our different religions here, can't we just let the majority enjoy their main holiday in peace?

[Minnie]

Sure. But I do have to say that I get awfully tired of being maligned at not saying Merry Christmas (I don't make a practice of NOT saying, it's just sometimes, I say Happy Holidays too). Having songs leveled at me and the places I do business, exhorting that if they dare say anything BUT Merry Christmas, then they should not go in there. So stupid. If a xian is going to adhere to the tenets of the Christmas story, then said xians wouldn't even bother with the gifting part of this. So why then exhort everyone to basically tell a business to eff off for not saying Merry Christmas? That video link I posted above, the singer mithers on about how they shouldn't be told what to say - really? How about you give that same consideration to the rest of us who aren't xian then? And if you can't, then piss on you, IMO. I just stopped listening.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Well, see, are we Canadian or American? Are we about multiculturalism or a melting pot? Do we want to integrate or assimilate? Do we want minorities to STFU while the majority revel? I thought we were more about inclusivity rather than excluding people?

I don't think anyone - ANYONE - is saying that Christians shouldn't be able to celebrate their holiday. The guy in the article isn't even saying that and he's on the extreme radical fringe. He's saying that public funds shouldn't go towards promoting one religion.

So should the government have no involvement in Stampede? It is essentially a holiday that celebrates a historic culture (a fake one) that any new immigrants to our. Community arent a part of. It features a drinking culture which is very exclusionary to many groups. So should the government stop flipping pancakes?

Now if you say many immigrants adopt stampede and celebrate it, I would also argue that many immigrants, especially those with kids, take up secular christmas and embrace trees, gifts and santa.

[CaptainCrunch]

Honestly I think if you file something stupid like this and you lose, it should be directed that you receive one sharp punch to the face.

I'd volunteer for the job of the punchy bailiff

I'd even throw in a shrill Hyyyyyy yah for good measure.

[Minnie]

We refer to that as the halibut of reality.

[ken0042]

I remember a few years ago I worked for a company that was beside a synagogue, and my company rented out their parking lot for the employees. It was about 1.5 blocks to walk. I would always pass a rabbi on my way into work, and we would usually say good morning to each other as we passed. I made a point of looking up when Hanukkah was that year, and one morning as we passed I wished him a Happy Hanukkah.

His immediate response- extended his hand to shake mine, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

I have friends who belong to different faiths, and each of them tell me that when they are wished a Merry Christmas, they take it for what it is- a greeting of good wishes. It is unfortunate that this man cannot take it for that.

[Julio]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't think anyone - ANYONE - is saying that Christians shouldn't be able to celebrate their holiday. The guy in the article isn't even saying that and he's on the extreme radical fringe. He's saying that public funds shouldn't go towards promoting one religion.

It's not any public finds specifically to Christmas signs...it's a rotating sign on a bus saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Route 3" or "Go Blades" And this guy does not want any sort of mention of anything Christian in any way with anything having to do with the civic government in Saskatoon. Have a look at the link I posted earlier.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Julio

It's not any public finds specifically to Christmas signs...it's a rotating sign on a bus saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Route 3" or "Go Blades" And this guy does not want any sort of mention of anything Christian in any way with anything having to do with the civic government in Saskatoon. Have a look at the link I posted earlier.

Well, as I said earlier, my belief is that government should be all or nothing. If they are going to teach one religion in public school they should teach all religions in public school. If they are going to promote one religion's holiday, they should promote all religion's holidays. Nobody, not even this guy on the fringe is suggesting that people not be allowed to enjoy Christmas with their PRIVATE funds.

And again, this isn't about people saying "Merry Christmas" or people who are ridiculously offended by someone saying that to them. It's the use within public institutions. Or even within the workplace.

Here is an example. On Dec. 24th my division of 150 people are having a potluck brunch at work. We are an IT shop and my team is a prime example of Canadian multiculturalism; I'm the *ONLY* 2nd generation Canadian in a team of 14. We have 2 Sri Lankans, 2 Indians, 2 who immigrated from China, a Korean, 2 from Greece, one from Romania, a Somali and myself. And we all get along together perfectly fine. Different religions, different values, different customs, different cultural beliefs... but we all share and learn from each other and work extremely well together. Now, I was asked by a superior if I, as head of the social committee for our division, would organize the "Christmas Brunch" this year. I said I would organize the brunch, but I was going to call it the "Holiday Festivities Brunch". I think it would be disrespectful to my team to thank them for all the hard work they have done this year to have an event named for a Christian holiday when most of my team is not Christian. She was adamant that I had to call it a Christmas Brunch because "these people shouldn't come here and ruin my holiday!". I don't think having an inclusive celebration should "ruin your holiday".

[Thor]

My experience in Canada and of course more so in the US is that for every 1 non Christian complaining about Government sponsoring anything "Christmas", there is 9 Christians getting very butt hurt at people saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

If we want to play this game of laugh at the people getting upset over nothing, lets keep that perspective accurate then.

Also prepare for the "keep the Christ in Christmas" , "Its not Xmas, its Christmas" posts on FB as well, always good times during this holiday season in social media and of course for Fox news in this dramatic war on Christmas.

[Joborule]

I find Happy Holidays a cop out; fight the power corporations! Who cares about those overly anal complainers. They'll be the type to bitch and moan about everything when they retire just in order to have something to do.