Thursday, December 6, 2012
"We Wish You a Generic Holiday & a Happy New Year"!
1. Read the following article about the latest controversy regarding the holiday season.
Write a thoughtful response below.
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-tree-feud-to-be-brought-to-light?hpt=us_bn4
2. 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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20 comments:
I think the whole, "its offensive to non-christians if we display chirstmas trees and it's offensive to Christians if there's a menorah" is a load of crap. We founded this country based on religious tolerance, not religous hatred and denial. We all know the symbols of christmas and Hannukah, if a Christmas tree is up ,everyone knows its a Christmas tree and not a "holiday tree". Technically calling a menora, "holiday candles", is anti-religous because you're not allowing a person to express their religous views, and this, furhtermore denies the freedom of speech and expression.Everyone has to be tolerant and not be offended by a holiday greeting. So Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a happy New Year.
It is true that you see “Happy Holidays” or “Happy New Year” written on Christmas cards then “Merry Christmas.” People are afraid to insult somebody of a different religion and being politically wrong. I think that today’s society has become too conscious of their words that we are losing our religious freedom. People came to this country to for religious freedom, so why are we afraid to do express it now? I don’t think that saying “Merry Christmas” is really going to insult somebody.
1. No matter what we call it, a tree is a tree. A giant tree in the December month is going to give the same message despite it's title. Yes, I do believe we should stick to calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree (because other holidays, such as hannukah, use Menorahs, not trees) but I see the good intentions in referring to it as a "holiday tree." If Chafee was so concerned with how everyone would react, he should consider that: a. It's a tree lighting, so Catholics and Christians will most likely be at the event. b. If he wanted to represent every religion, he should have found a way to do it... putting up a tree represents only one religion no matter how one refers to it. 2. It amazes me that people are worried about offending someone by saying "Merry Christmas." How about all of the racist and sexist comments that people throw around every single day... Take this election for example. Do I really need to list all of the things that people called Obama? I don't understand why, at this time of year, we become so much more considerate. We'll probably never know what it is about December that has people putting others before themselves, and why society can't be like this all the time. You're seriously telling me that you've never cracked an innappropriate joke about a jewish man or someone who celebrates kwanza... you're telling me they haven't heard it before? And you're telling me that people don't hear things like this all the time?
I think that everyone is taking this whole situation and blowing it out of proportion. Everyone is raised knowing that a tree decorated with lights is a Christmas tree, it’s just common sense. And that a menorah resembles Hanukkah.
I think calling a Christmas Tree a "Holiday Tree" and a Menorah "Holiday Candles" is ridiculous. Everyone knows what each thing stands for. It's in the constitution that all Americans have a right to religion. I think this country is becoming too politically correct. Saying "Happy Holidays" is more than okay if you are speaking to someone and you don't know what holiday they celebrate, but completely getting rid of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hannakuh" is completely unnecessay! Nobody should be offended by saying these more specific sayings. The holiday season is turning into a fued.
I believe that yes, society is becoming way too politically collect today. If you see someone in the halls around the holidays or someone at a grocery store and you politely mention “Merry Christmas” should they really be offended? Weren’t you just offering an act of kindness and trying to be friendly? Sure not everyone may celebrate Christmas but it’s the holiday season and it’s better to be kind and friendly to others rather than completely ignore them. And does it really matter how you address someone’s holidays. Obviously someone’s just being friendly and people’s reactions are very overrated.
Everyone should be able to express their religions through what they say like "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa" or anything along those lines. People shouldn't have to restrict themselves because of other religions or atheists, they should be able to put up CHRISTMAS TREES or even a MENORAH! I celebrate Christmas and another person in my family celebrates Hanukkah, and it's ok to say whatever we celebrate. Many people just say "Happy Holidays" so they don't offend anyone, but I don't think saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" is really an insult.
1. I honestly feel that is is ridiculous that Christmas can’t be expressed the way it used to be anymore. The fact that the governor had regarded to the tree as a ‘holiday tree” is very irritating. The governor is trying to promote safe haven for different religious groups, but all he has done is anger a great amount of Christians and cause more conflicts. I’m hoping that statements shadowing Christmas spirit don’t continue to be made, because it is extremely angering at this point.
2.Political correctness is increasing in our society today and is slowly diminishing the image of Christmas. People shouldn't have to hide the fact that they celebrate Christmas, for those who don’t celebrate Christmas shouldn't have an issue with this. Not only is the expanded use of the expression “Happy Holidays” angering many people, but local businesses are also being affected. People don’t want to be purchasing clearly themed Christmas merchandise that is labeled with a “happy holidays” expression. This problem overall is not only ridiculous, but pathetic as well.
It's true that around the holidays all you hear is "Happy Holidays" and "Happy New Year" because people want to avoid insulting others. I think its completely harmless to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hannukah" to people. Your just expressing yourself and trying to be friendly! So what if you aren't a Christan and someone says "Merry Christmas" or vice versa, just say thank you and be polite. It's really not that hard or it's not a big deal. Everyone always says "Happy Holidays" but why can't we say "Happy Hannukah" or "Happy Kwanza?" Is it really that big of a deal? Express your religion and say "Merry Christmas" because after all, we live in a free country with religous tolerance. We all need to learn to accept each other and not be offended by holiday greetings.
1. I honestly feel the governor changing the name from "Christmas tree" to "holiday tree" is in the top ten stupidest things I have ever heard. Religious diversity is fabulous. If you are Christian, awesome. If you are Jewish, good for you. But the fact of the matter is the "tree" is a symbol of Christmas. It is completely unrelated to any other religions' holidays, therefore it is simply unnecessary to call it a holiday tree.
2. That being said, there is no reason why blatantly saying "Merry Christmas" should "offend" anyone. It may not apply to you, but it does not "offend" you. There is nothing offensive about someone wishing you a happy day out of the kindness of their heart just because it is not the particular day you celebrate. Simply put, this whole this is stupid.
1.) The governor of Rhode Island has no reason to call the Christmas tree a holiday tree. There is no such thing as a holiday tree, there's only Christmas trees. People have become to sensitive to what other people do during the Christmas season. If people don't celebrate Christmas they don't have to look at the Christmas tree. To many people today are getting offended by others calling Christmas trees by their name which is ridiculous.
2.) We are becoming to politically correct in today's society. We don't need to say happy holidays to others. I don't see how saying Merry Christmas to someone could be offensive. If people don't celebrate Christmas they should just stop being so sensitive about other people saying Merry Christmas. In the past people would wish others a Merry Christmas even if they didn't celebrate Christmas. If people don't celebrate Christmas, they don't have to wish others a Merry Christmas, but don't ruin it for everyone that is just trying to enjoy their holiday.
1. I don't feel it's a good idea for the Christmas tree to be called a "holiday" tree. It just doesn't make sense because the tree is specifically made for christmas only. Jewish and other religion don't put a christmas tree up in their house since it doesn't relate to their religion. I think it's something even the other religion wouldn't like because it's not for them at all towards their holiday.
2. Yes I think we are becoming too politically correct with the term "Happy Holiday." I believe most people celebrate christmas and I think most people know who celebrates what. Christmas is Christmas and shouldn't be something to be ashamed to hear about if you don't celebrate it.
I don't get why there is such a huge debate about whether to call a tree a "holiday tree or a Christmas tree". By calling it a Christmas tree people are not disregarding other religions. They are just expressing a symbol associated with the holiday of their religion. I don't believe it should be called a holiday tree because it should keep it's traditional symbolism. Other religions have their own traditions just like the menorah for those who are Jewish. I don't see anyone demanding a menorah to be called a holiday symbol either. Today is it such a huge problem to decide whether to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" in fear that you may offend someone. Of course it is polite not to offend someone of a different religion. It is getting to a point where it is almost as much of a political-social problem as the whole Obama-Romney Campaign. A lot of people do celebrate christmas and they will say "merry christmas". If they so happen to say it to someone who is Jewish then so what? It is just a nice gesture; there is no need to be offended by a simple greeting.
I think that people should be allowed to express their views during the holidays. America is a country of religious freedom and different religions should be allowed to promote or display their holidays. We cannot try to change Christmas, Hanukah, and other holidays simply into “the holiday season.” Sure there are people who hate the holidays or at least certain holidays, but that doesn’t mean they should be complaining and trying to ruin it for others. The use of “happy holidays” instead of Merry Christmas is only going to ruin the fun and take away what every young kid or adult looks forward to. People should be allowed to express their holidays how they want.
I think that we are becoming to poltically correct because people who aren’t Christian or don’t celebrate Chirstmas should take offense to "Merry Christmas". We need to calm down and just go back to how the United States used to be. we shouldnt have to worry about saying the wrong thing to someone, we are just being friendly and kind there is no need to be offended by what someone says to you around this time of year. When people say Merry Christmas we aren’t trying to insult anybody, it is just how it has been forever people aren’t going to changes their ways because they are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings because they aren’t Christian.
In my opinion if the tree has always been named as a Christmas Tree there is no reason to change the name of it now. Just because there are other religions out there doesn’t mean they are not respected because people still call a Christmas Tree, a “Christmas Tree.” The tradition of Christmas should not be changed or renamed because of other religions out their. All religions are respected throughout the holiday season even if a tree is still known as a Christmas Tree. If people celebrate Christmas I don’t think there is a problem with using “Merry Christmas” as a holiday greeting. Although “happy Holidays” becomes more popular every year I don’t see anything wrong with saying “Merry Christmas” if it is the holiday you celebrate. Yes we are becoming too politically correct because over the years there has been a dramatic change in the amount of people who send Christmas cards, and those who send holiday cards. I don’t believe that it is offense to say Merry Christmas to someone who doesn’t celebrate because it’s the thought of being courteous that counts. People shouldn’t be afraid to say Christmas this time of year because it might offend people. It offends those who do celebrate Christmas by taking away the importance of the holiday meaning. For some people this has been a tradition they have followed for their whole lives so why stop now?
I truthfully believe that the phrase “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” is the perfect generic greeting for this time of year. People need to realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas and deserves a proper holiday greeting. If I said ‘Happy Hanukkah” to someone who celebrates Christmas, it wouldn’t be right. People should at least have the decency to say “Seasons Greetings” or “Wishing you a warm and bright holiday season” to respect everyone’s religions and holidays. However, I completely disagree with the fact that a Christmas tree should be called a “holiday tree” because I do not believe that phrase would offend someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas. If a menorah isn’t called a “holiday menorah” then why should they take Christmas out of the phrase Christmas tree?
I personally believe that it should not be a big deal for us to celebrate our holiday. We should all be able to celebrate the holiday we believe in, the way we want to. I believe that it is ridiculous for us to have to call a christmas tree, a holiday tree. Todays society is too worried about what we say and who is going to get affended. We all need to relax and let everyone celebrate our holiday the way we have been for years. There should be no reason for us to change our ways.
I believe that the country is becoming to politically correct, however i think in the sense of "Happy Holidays" rather then "Merry Christmas" it's better to be politically correct. However i believe people make too much of a big deal about it. If someone wishes you a merry Christmas you should respectfully thank them and maybe say the same back. If you feel necessary you can correct the person and tell them what religion you believe in. This shouldn't be taken as offensive in anyway. You should be grateful that person is taking the time too wish you a happy holiday. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas have become somewhat of synonyms and they should be taken as just that meaning the same thing. Acceptable either way you say it.
I believe that we aren't getting too politically correct because it is wrong to favor one holiday of the other. America is a home to a variety of people and to put so much emphasis on only one holiday is an injustice. It is morally wrong to act as if your religion is the only important one. I feel that everyone should respect each other and celebrate the holidays their own ways.
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