'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays': Christ Debate Rages on Grinch Alert Site

Rev. Robert Jeffress of a Dallas-based First Baptist Church has launched a web site called 'Grinch Alert', where people can add businesses and companies to the so-called naughty list for not saying "Merry Christmas". Christians on the 'Grinch Alert' site have logged comments complaining about being "offended" when told "Happy Holidays" or something similar.

'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays'? The Debate Rages On...But Why?

One post was from a Delta Airlines customer. "Though I am a frequent flyer with Delta they did not mind offending me, a Christian, with an email stating 'Happy Holidays From The Delta Family'." Funny; that seems like a perfectly lovely sentiment. What could be so offensive? Delta didn't specifically praise Christ in their invitation to fly the friendly skies in the coming year.

Is Delta supposed to know this person is a God-fearing Christian? Did they inform Delta of their religion in writing? Regardless, should it really offend someone that an email from their airline doesn't testify to the glory of one particular God over another in their mass-mailer emails?

There are several religious and non-religious holidays in November and December, not just Christmas. Saying "Happy Holidays" is an all-inclusive way of telling a person, "Whatever you celebrate, enjoy yourself and be well." Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, Good Eid Al-Adha, Joyous Kwanzaa, and so on.

When someone says, "Happy Holidays", they usually do not mean, "Your God is false and I refuse to recognize your faith! Ha! I mock your worship and scorn your beliefs!". They usually likely mean, "Happy Holidays". Plural, and non-exclusive. Simple as that.

GrinchAlert.Com: Christians Offended By 'Happy Holidays'

One Texas contributor to Grinch Alert mentioned they were upset with their bank for not having a tree up. "I told them I was offended because there aren't any Christmas trees.", the post read in part. There were also a few complaints about Sonic fast food.

With several of the positive comments about those who did readily say "Merry Christmas" or display proper signage, very positive words seemed to bookend the sentences. "After purchasing items from Hobby Lobby in Turkey Creek, the sweet clerk happily said, "Merry Christmas," as I was leaving!", read one comment.

"Wonderful employees that are ALWAYS happy and smiling and City Hall decorated with the TRUE spirit of Christmas with a receptionist at the front desk that is very friendly, helpful and happy! She told me MERRY CHRISTMAS and it made my day!", read another.

It's great that those people enjoyed hearing Merry Christmas. However, it seems a bit strange to expect all businesses and employees everywhere to address everyone "Merry Christmas" or always decorate for Christmas considering how many people are not Christians at all. Or even to assume that if someone says "Happy Holidays" it means they're not a good Christian.

Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Hinduists, Buddhists, Native Americans and many other groups may not want to hear "Merry Christmas" or "God Bless" every time they pay for something any more than you would want to be told to "Praise Allah" or "May Moses watch over you". The point is, if one group is irritated that they aren't being affirmed in their faith when they, say, go to the store for a rug or a sandwich, wouldn't someone of another faith feel equally, if not more so, offended at having their own beliefs dismissed in favor of a Christian God-view every time they hit the corner store?

'Happy Holidays' Vs. 'Merry Christmas': Does It Really Matter?

The most ironic post on the Grinch Alert web site for us came in the form of a comment that read, "Excessive use of 'holiday', no mention of Christmas. With a name like American Airlines, come on!" Now, the land we call America we didn't exactly acquire honestly. The reason we came here, by whatever means, was for religious freedom, among other things.

With freedom comes responsibility, and also sacrifice and tolerance. For you to be free of my beliefs thrust upon you, likewise you must strive to not cram yours down my throat. It doesn't mean we should censor ourselves or not share ideas, only that if one group feels so strongly about their entitlement to have something a certain way, they must acknowledge that not everyone feels that way and that many others feel entitled to not endure it.

What do you think? Do you care if someone says "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas"? Personally, I'm usually just glad to have been wished pleasantries, and to have received a smile with kind words. I don't expect people to guess my religion or lack of one, or to try to say the "right" thing so as not to offend me. Personally, I'm not that easily offended.

　

　
Source:

Grinch Alert web site - GrinchAlert.com