More and more we hear greetings this time of year expressed as "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas." Because of that, we hear more and more dissatisfaction in private conversation over the use of this politically correct, generic greeting.
Are we becoming too polically correct in today's society?
Read the following article and write a thoughtful response.
http://theintermountain.com/page/content.detail/id/539318/Can-we-be-politically-correct-an---.html
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When someone says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays," We're wishing good things upon them. We aren't saying Christmas is better than any other holiday. I think that we are being a little too politically correct over the holidays. People should learn to loosen up a little bit. The holiday season is stressful enough, we shouldn't have to worry about offending anyone by trying to wish them a merry Christmas or a Happy Hannuka. I know that if someone came up to me, and told me Happy Hannuka or Kwanza, I'm not going to get offended because I'm Christian.
-Danielle Johnson
I personally think that people need top stop being so sensitive.I don't see the big issue if you don't say "Merry Christmas" or you do. Saying "Happy Holidays" is just as good. I think that if you want to say "merry Christmas" then you say it, but there shouldn't be a set term or saying. People sat "Happy hannukah, Happy Kwanza and Merry Christmas",say what applies to you. I really don't see this as a big issue that needs attention and controversy.
I think that although it may not be politically correct to say "merry christmas" but that in certain situations, like the week of Christmas, that it's okay. I know that I am coming from a Chirstmas celebrater point of view but even so, I wouldn't get offended if on Hannukah someone told me "Happy Hannukah" because I would understand that for those days we are celebrating their holidays. I think that over time a solution to this controversy will be solved but that there will still be people who don't agree with the general flow of things.
I think that the whole happy holidays or merry christmas thing is a little rediculous. I dont see why anyone could find it offending if someone doesnt say their holiday. First of all in America we have freedom of speech so why someone feels that they should be able to make a big deal about not hearing someone say their holiday is stupid. I personally am half catholic and half jewish. I celebrate both holidays and if im walking somewhere and someone just wishes me a merriy christmas then that is fine. I think we need to stop being so sensative and realize that nobody is trying to offend you by not mentioning your personal holiday.
In my opinion, i think we are becoming too politically correct. If you know someone celebrates a specific holiday, then wish them that. I dont think its necessary to say Happy Holidays or Seasons greetings to everyone. For example, Hannakah is over now so saying Happy Holidays is pointless. During Hannakah I wish it to the appropriate people, and when its near Christmastime i wish the people who celebrate it a Merry Christmas. If you send out cards for Christmas or Hannakah i think you should send which ever you celebrate eve if the person youre sending it to doesnt.
I believe that saying "Merry Christmas" during the week is Christmas is fine, but besides this one week, I think everyone should say "Happy Holidays". I don't believe we are becoming too politically correct because that is how it should be. People celebrate all different holidays, so if you are saying "Merry Christmas" to someone to doesn't celebrate it, they might take it negatively, thinking that everyone thinks Christmas is more important.
I love hearing people say "merry christmas" it seems more personal and sincere the happy holidays. I believe our society is getting overly poiltical to the point where you can't say anything any more without some group getting offended. I personally never get upset when people say happy hannukah during hannukah so why should people be upset if we say merry christmas. In certain situations a happy holidays might be needed. At work the whole month on decemeber i had to say happy holidays which makes sense to me because we get a wide variety of people coming into the store.
This issue is definitely something I can relate to because I celebrate both Christmas and Hannukkah. I can see why many people would get offended when somebody says "merry christmas." How would you feel if somebody said "happy hannukkah" to you? Personally I don't think I would care. Everybody has their own beliefs and we should all respect eachother and live in harmony. Why should people get offended? It's not like anybody is bashing their holiday. There should be nothing wrong with wishing someone a merry christmas even if they don't celebrate it. People should stop worrying so much about being "politically correct" and worry about what the holidays does to people. The holidays have just turned into a reason to be materialistic. Everybody rushes out to get the most expensive present when they are forgetting the true value of the holidays. To spend time and love your family.
I do think that in today’s society people are too focused on being politically correct and by doing so they forfeit a sense of holiday spirit. Rather than wishing someone “Merry Christmas” as you pass them in the December, a number of people insist on wishing “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.” Although I understand why some people choose to use these terms rather than Merry Christmas, I believe that wishing someone a Merry Christmas is in no way offensive. I believe it is the thought that counts, and the fact that someone takes the time to wish a Merry Christmas is an appropriate gesture during the holiday season. Traditionally people used the phrase merry Christmas without thinking twice as the term is a longstanding custom during the winter. I do think that we have to keep the values of other groups in mind, but I believe that forfeiting the personal touch of the holiday season and in that not wishing someone a merry Christmas is unnecessary.
There can be no denying that over the last few years, people have had a heightened sensitivity towards holiday greetings, perhaps as a result of increasing religious diversity in this nation.Although the Bill of Rights does protect our right to live in a secular society that offers Equal Protection to all religious groups, I think we are getting a little carried away. People have the right to wish each other "merry christmas" as long as they aren't doing so in a governmental role. As someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas religiously, I do not feel offended when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas; its a holiday important to them and I respect that. Overall, we need to look at our society and see if we're taking this a little too far.
I think that we live in a world where people look to make a big deal out of a minor problem. I do not believe that saying Merry Christmas during the month of December is a problem. If someone was to walk up to me during Hanukkah, and said Happy Hanukkah I would not be insulted or affended. I would actually consider it a kind gesture. I think that during the time of Christmas and Hanukkah being politically correct is not necessary. The fact is, no matter what you celebrate, it is a time of giving and family. So no one should be offended by either statement. Being politically correct is destroying our world. People live in fear of saying the wrong thing. So much for freedom of speech.
Although I do celebrate Christmas, I feel that the greeting "Merry Christmas" is not insensitive to those who are not Chrisitian. This new "politically correct" trend seems to be getting carried away. For example, new terminologies have to be created to replace the names of games related to a certain religion. Instead of having a secret Santa, we now have a secret snowman. If I saw a poster that said Happy Chanukah, I would not take any offense from it. While I recognize how some people believe it is necessary to be politically correct, I think it is getting too extreme.
When someone tells me Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, i really dont notice any difference. When they are saying these they arent trying to say that one holiay is better than the other they are jsut trying to be politically correct. There are so many religions in the world that we have to be aware of other people's feelings. I for one do not get upset when some tells me happy holidays because it is showing me and everybody else that they are just trying to make everybody happy at the same time.
I think there are certain situations where each of these phrases should be used. If you know someone celebrates Christmas, you should just say Merry Christmas! And if you know someone is going to celebrate Hannukah or any other holiday, wish them a happy one of those! The Happy Holidays greeting is perfectly fine when adressing a big group because there could be a whole slew of holidays that are being celebrated and it is nice to not leave someone out! However, if someone is being general and saying Merry Christmas because most of the people are going to celebrate Christmas, that's fine! No reason to throw a big fit. Just say what you want!
You don't have to celebrate Christmas to experience the joy and kindness of it around Christmas time. Whether people like it or not, the majority of our nation is Christian and therefore Christmas will be the most popular holiday being promoted in stores and all around American cities. "Merry Christmas" shouldn't be offensive to anyone whether they celebrate the holiday or not. Why change how we do things if it's not necessary. Nobody is saying that Christmas is the best holiday, but it's fact that most people are followers of Christianity and stores will continue to emphasize on Christmas as long as this continues to be true.
Today's society is definitely over obsessed with the idea of being "politically correct" when it comes to Christmas greetings. When I went into stores in the days leading up to Christmas, I said Merry Christmas to cashiers. I did not do it to offend anyone, but as a Christian who celebrates Christmas for the religious reasons, I found it appropriate to share the greeting. If a Jewish person came up to me during the season of Hannukah, I would not be offended if they greeted me saying, "Happy Hannukah." I have a Jewish friend whose family sends my family a Hannukah card and in return, we send them a Christmas card. Neither family takes offense because we are simply trying to spread the happiness of the season.
I persoanlly don't realize the difference between when a person says, "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas." Either way you choose to say it, we are wishing joy and happiness to the holiday they are celebrating. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so by saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone some people might be offended by it and might think that Christmas is a more important holiday.
I think people these days are way to sensitive about anything concerning their religion. I really dont understand how saying "Merry Christmas" could possibly offend anyone. The problem is its not possibly to never offend anyone and to be constantly politicaly correct with everything we say and do. I always say merry Christmas during the "holiday season" and honestly I dont really care if antone gets offended by it because its something that people say with nothing but good intentions, its meant to be something nice to say to someone.
I believe that people look too far into this subject. So many things in life had to be altered in this generation because few people see them to be "politically incorrect." It's understandable that the term "Happy Holidays" should be used more often because not everyone celebrates Christmas. However, "Merry Christmas" has been used for so long now, why change the past. I don't understand why we must change all of our customs and traditions to satisfy the few who actually truly find this offensive. I feel as though people shouldn’t take it so seriously and just enjoy the holiday season.
I honestly take a position of apathy on this one. it doesnt matter who says what, because in reality, i dont believe that anyone becomes truly insulted with a harmless mistake such as saying merry christmas to someone that is jewish. All in all, the time around christmas usually is a happy time, so its just a phrase to be happy either way. it doesnt matter to get all worked up on the words that are used to wise people to have a happy time.
I think the way it is worded in the article, "too politically correct," is too dramatic of a way to explain the movement of today's societal behaviors. However, I do agree that people should not be offended by the words "Merry Christmas" and Christmas displays. Christmas is a holiday which is vastly celebrated throughout our country, and a nametag for much of the country's beliefs. I don't think that because there are minorities, we should diminish the value and importance of Christmas. I believe that minorities much accept that they are minorities. Their religion is no less important, just less practiced. I certainly do not believe today's society is "too politically correct," but there is a time and place where you should not use "Merry Christmas" as a greeting, because as obsurd and extreme it is for someone to take offense to it, some people do, and it is a reality that we will have to mend our society around.
Well, although I don’t see it being a big deal saying “Merry Christmas” over “Happy Holidays” I could understand how someone would being somewhat upset with it. If I were of the Jewish faith and celebrated Hanukah, I would be a little offended because I don’t celebrate Christmas. Now, I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it because with either greeting, I’m being greeted. It’s not like they’re saying “Merry Christmas” out of spite to annoy me or anything. Now here’s the thing… It’d make sense and be reasonable for those who say “Merry Christmas” over “Happy Holidays” to just say “Happy Holidays”. That way no one would take any offense to it. Why not be the bigger person and just say “Happy Holidays” to please all of any religion? Those who make a big deal about having to say “Merry Christmas” are taking it too far... Get over it. You couldn’t possibly be offended or hurt that you can’t say “Merry Christmas” to everyone you meet… Happy Holidays :D
To me, there isn't much of a difference between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" because i only celebrate Christmas. In general, Christmas is a more common holiday than Hanukkah. People view Christmas as the holiday that brings joy to everybody, not Hanukkah. I can see how those who celebrate Hanukkah get offended when people say "Merry Christmas" to them. But the truth is, Christmas is a more popular holiday. Kenny Anello
When I think about the problems associated with people being too sensitive now adays, I am reminded of how holiday cards don't say, "merry Christmas" anymore, they say "happy holidays". Well consider this, if i only celebrate one holiday (i.e. Christmas) then why would someone wish me happy holidays? The "s" in holidays is a redundancy. If i only celebrate Christmas, then what other holidays are you wishing me happyness for? And its even worse when the festival of Chanukah (thats how its spelled people I know im a little late on this entry but come on i know you guys can do better then "hannukah"[<3]) has ended and people still wish me "happy holidays". The only only other holiday that I could possibly celibrate is Christmas. The entire thing just eerks me... Just say Merry Christmas to me.
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