Merry Christmas? Not according to this man in Saskatoon

[moon]

Originally Posted by 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.

Perhaps it is different in Europe but having been in Canada and US most of my life I would say the opposite is true over here and that is with a long time spent in very Christian Southern Alberta.

[Thor]

In Europe most everyone says a version of Happy Yule in their own language, just don't tell Fox News, they will lose their collective sh*t

[troutman]

Originally Posted by 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.

The true spirit of Christmas. Violence against the disagreeable.

[Thor]

Meanwhile at Fox New's war on Christmas...

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

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".

Have you asked any of your colleagues if they are offended if someone wishes them a Merry Christmas? I'm genuinely curious.

I know if I lived in China it wouldn't bother me if someone wished me a happy Chinese New Year. Would you be offended if one of your Indian colleagues wished you a happy Diwali?

[Devils'Advocate]

*bangs head against wall*

How many times do I have to say this isn't about one individual saying "Merry Christmas" to another? If Bob says "Merry Christmas" to Mohammed, Mohammed can rightly brush off the fact that Bob is using a Christian greeting because Bob is (a) wishing him well and (b) probably is giving that greeting out of habit of what he has grown up with. Now, if Bob is a known bible-thumping zealot who actually goes out of his way to push his religion, or a xenophobe that would like to see these immigrants go back to the country they came from then maybe he does say "Merry Christmas" for nefarious reasons, but 99.9% of the time it's just a habitual thing. On an individual basis, most people are reasonable and will welcome that the person is wishing them well and disregard the Christian origins of the phrase.

HOWEVER, HAVING AN ORGANIZED WORKPLACE EVENT, OR A PUBLIC EVENT/MESSAGE FROM PUBLIC INSTITUTION/FUNDS IS DIFFERENT. They should be inclusive of EVERYONE. I am fine with that bus saying "Merry Christmas" so long as it says "Ramadan Kareem" at the appropriate time of the year as well. And I'd be happy with organizing a Christmas event if my superior had also asked me to organize similar events for each holiday celebrated within our division.

I could ask my employees if they are offended with just having a Christmas event while not having something for their religious/cultural holidays. In terms of my employees, I'm sure each and every one of them would say that they are not offended. I don't know how honest a response that would be. First, most of them just don't like to stir the pot. They know that they are in the minority and admitting to something against the majority doesn't play well. "What is Don going to do with this information? Is he going to go to management and say that we can't have a Christmas party because I, Mohammed, feel self-concious about attending an event celebrating a Christian holiday? I don't want to get myself in that kind of trouble!" But secondly, there is that "I know my boss is the head of the social committee and typically organizes the parties, and my boss is a good guy and treats us employees well - it will probably make his life easier if we all just go along with the wishes of the majority".

But let's say for the moment that all 14 of my employees, and all 150 people in our division, no matter what their religious upbringing and culture.... every single one of them say with absolute 100% honesty that they have no problem whatsoever with only having a Christmas party. *I* think that it is more polite and more respectful TO THEM if we are inclusive. As their supervisor, I know these people are really great people and have done some fantastic work over the last year and I'm going to thank them for that work by celebrating someone else's religious holiday?

I've heard of several workplaces having "Festivus Parties". Festivus, is the made-up SECULAR holiday that is made up just for having fun. What I like about the idea, is again, it is inclusive. It welcomes everyone.

So.... in the end, it's not about a fear of offending Mohammed. It's out of respect for Mohammed as a person that I chose to have a "Holiday Season Party" rather than a "Christmas Party". I WANT to be inclusive and WANT him to feel 1000% welcome.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I remember when we finished a major project that I put an incredible amount of work into. I poured my heart and soul into that project and we had just delivered it to the client and they loved it. It was a major success. My boss at the time was delighted so he organized a surprise celebration pizza party for all staff involved on the project. He ordered pepperoni, meat-lovers and Hawaiian. He hadn't taken the time to get to know his staff, to know their beliefs and who they are as people to know that one of the key players (myself) was a vegetarian. I left the party. All that pizza was making me hungry and with each sniff of the pizza and grumble in my belly just made me more irate. I think that we, AS THOUGHTFUL AND POLITE PEOPLE, should strive to recognize EVERYONE, including recognizing the things that make us different. One extra pizza would have made a world of difference, but my supervisor had not taken the time to get to know me well enough to include me.

[jammies]

The difference between your example of inclusiveness and Christmas celebrations is that I've never been to a Christmas party that forced you to pray to Baby Jesus if you wanted to get to the free booze. It's just an excuse to get people together and spread a little good feeling, there is no reason for non-Christians - like me - to get offended or feel left out. It's a cultural tradition that you need not share in if you don't want to, and getting mad about it makes about as much sense as decrying Chinese New Year because you're not Chinese.

Too much is being made of the idea that we should never do anything that might offend anyone. There has to be give and take, you cannot expect that everyone else is always going to defer to your sensibilities, and a world where that always happens is quite simply impossible. Does Mr. Solo care that his ridiculous stand against a greeting intended to convey good wishes offends a great many people? I suspect not, so I'll reciprocate with equal indifference to his complaint.

[CaptainCrunch]

To me this is a whole jacka%% scenario. Wishing someone a merry christmas is not preaching or attempting to convert, its a well meaning statement.

If you can't accept a merry christmas from someone and react like this tool then your a small human being and have more problems then religion.

Putting Merry Christmas on a bus is not a government policy supporting organized religion, its not an evil plot to convert you to Christianity.

People need to grow the frack up. People need to realize that this isn't a human rights issue, its a personal issue with your own stinky ######ed attitude and you really need to hire a hooker and have sex you bitter bitter moron. (PS I'm talking about the bald headed idiot who filed this in the first place)

[Jbo]

Guy is seeking attention and that is what he is getting.

If nobody got outraged or cared, he would fade away back into obscurity.

[CaptainCrunch]

And still be wasting taxpayer's money with his complaint.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by saskflames69

Found the asshat's facebook page!

Watch some disgruntled Christian bus driver run him over tomorrow.

http://www.facebook.com/amgsolo

This guy has "mall shooting" written all over him.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by 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?

I work with a muslim guy from Bangladesh and he tells people Merry Christmas every chance he gets. He's only been in Canada for a couple of years, so the novelty hasn't worn off I guess, but he seems to love the holiday. He is pretty devout, but I think he realizes that there is secular inclusion around Christmas.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Deelow

Why is Christmas Day a national holiday then?

So everyone can get drunk, duh!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by troutman

The true spirit of Christmas. Violence against the disagreeable.

Obviously you never celebrated Christmas at the Bender household

John Bender: You know what I got for Christmas this year? It was a banner ####in' year at the old Bender family. I got a carton of cigarettes. The old man grabbed me and said "Hey. Smoke up Johnny."

[Jacks]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2.../20437231.html

'Merry Christmas' to stay on Saskatoon buses

REGINA -- Saskatoon city councillors voted Monday to keep flashing "Merry Christmas" on transit buses after receiving a complaint from a city man who said he was offended by the holiday message.

[Bigtime]

I heard on the radio this morning that this guy now wants Merry Christmas off buses all over the country, not just in the 'stoon.

I say the courts should not only throw this case out, but also legally change his last name. Like I said, he is not deserving of such a cool last name.

[Resolute 14]

I see Calgary busses are also flashing "Merry Christmas". OH GOD! THE HUMANITY!!!!

[GreenLantern]

So apparently this guy is unemployed... but we are the ones who are wasting tax payer money.

/thread

[CaptainCrunch]

I would love to see Merry Christmas put on each of his probable unemployment checks and to find a guy named Jesus to sign them. We'll see how hardcore his beliefs are and if he refuses to cash the checks.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Thor

Why would a city bus be exclusive and not inclusive of all the people who use its services.

Is it really that big of a deal to say Happy Holidays to include all people instead of singling out just one group to wish well?

Christmas in our culture is about as secular a holiday as you could possibly get at this point. Is it really that big a deal to just be cool with 'Merry Christmas'? The purpose of which is to impart feelings of good cheer and glad tidings on random passerby?

It's Christmas time. If you celebrate something else, by all means, hit me with a Happy Hanukkah. Happy Holidays is meaningless PC BS that only serves to further limit the ability of our society to engage in polite discourse.

Merry Christmas Thor, and praise Odin.