"Holiday Insensitivities"

2

Replies

  • Cali_Chica
    Cali_Chica Posts: 895 Member
    Congratulations OP, your trolling flame-baiting post has taken off!!

    LMAO!

    Hey it's not christmas, er, i mean "the holiday season" without a little family drama (in this case Mfp family)
  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
    Political correctness can kiss my a**! I'm not religious but people get ridiculous with it. Christmas isn't even about religion anymore, its all about spending money and buying crap for others. If you can't even say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas', then what the hell else is there to say! Umm...."Happy Winter?" or "Merry Gift exchanging?"

    You can't say "happy winter"...the religious people would freak saying your supporting paganism or druidism

    If I wanted to support the pagans or Wicca I'd just say "Happy Winter Solstice" or "Merry Yule" :-) I can be inclusive, I seriously know at least one person from every religion, so I do prefer to say "happy holidays" My uncle is a Muslim(married in), a coworker is Jewish, I have pagan friends, and most my family is either catholic or protestant. Don't know anyone that celebrates Kwanza tho, but I might meet some-one who does someday. I won't be offended either. lol
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    I don't believe that people actually get offended by someone wishing them a Merry Christmas. It certainly doesn't offend me.
  • la8ydi
    la8ydi Posts: 294 Member
    I'm good with "Happy Holidays" or whatever you choose to say...but I guess what I was questioning was that they (the school district) was "not allowing" them to celebrate any sort of holiday or use any sort of holiday-ish greetings. I've heard of districts that say if you're going to celebrate one, you need to celebrate them all...but not celebrating any of them? I thought that was a bit harsh.
  • Sapporo
    Sapporo Posts: 693 Member
    Happy Giftmas!
    The only people who sound offended are people whining about people not saying Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings are old and in use for a long time. Happy Holidays = Merry Christmas, Have a Great Boxing Day! and Happy New Year! all in one when I use it.
    It is common sense in diverse populations to be more generic when addressing masses of people.
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    Well, I took it upon myself to go look this up:

    1) it's not a "school district" in Texas, it is one school. One, single, solitary elementary school
    2) they are banning references to Christmas or any other religious holiday

    This goes against the "Merry Christmas Law" that Texas has that "clarifies and codifies the fact that students and district staff are permitted to discuss winter holidays as they please, including using the terms "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," or "happy holidays," among others, as greetings. The district may also display scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter holidays (e.g. nativity scenes, Christmas trees, menorahs, etc.)."

    But there is no penalty for violating the law.
  • la8ydi
    la8ydi Posts: 294 Member
    Well, I took it upon myself to go look this up:

    1) it's not a "school district" in Texas, it is one school. One, single, solitary elementary school
    2) they are banning references to Christmas or any other religious holiday

    This goes against the "Merry Christmas Law" that Texas has that "clarifies and codifies the fact that students and district staff are permitted to discuss winter holidays as they please, including using the terms "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," or "happy holidays," among others, as greetings. The district may also display scenes or symbols associated with traditional winter holidays (e.g. nativity scenes, Christmas trees, menorahs, etc.)."

    But there is no penalty for violating the law.



    Thank you for clarifying. I wasn't sure if it was a complete school district or where it was. And the article I read must not have included the "whole picture." ;-)
  • levicrouch
    levicrouch Posts: 99
    Here's the deal. No one is telling anyone that they cannot say "Merry Christmas" to anyone else. If you celebrate Christmas and want to wish someone else a "Merry Christmas", go for it. No one should be offended by a honest sentiment.

    The problem is when a non-religious organization promotes a religious celebration. As far as I can tell Christmas is a religious holiday. When a non-religious organization throws a "Christmas" party or event, they shouldn't be surprised\offended when non-christian folks decline to attend.

    Most non-religious organizations seek to include everyone. Since there are many folks (especially in the United States) that have varied religious views, it is probably best to avoid a religious holiday themed party or event, if you seek to include 'everyone'.
  • Mother_Superior
    Mother_Superior Posts: 1,624 Member
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  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    can I celebrate Yule?


    I'm not pagan though.
  • ZombieGeezUs
    ZombieGeezUs Posts: 476
    Inb4L
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    I don't get the ban on "happy holidays," and I don't think the children should be prevented from wearing colors they want to as long as there isn't already some uniform, but I am glad for more inclusive policies. Let the kids bring in whatever they want, but don't have the school promote it.

    I grew up saying "Merry Christmas" and really only knew people who practiced Christianity, but as an adult, I've tried to break the habit and switch to "happy holidays." I don't consider myself any one particular religion, and I know people of many different faiths now.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    Changed my mind
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    I agree with you 100% OP!

    People are more and more rude each year in general... EVERY day. So if during this cheerful, holiday-stuffed season somebody tells me "Merry Christmas" I like that they're sharing happiness with me. If they say "Happy Haunaka" I like that they're sharing happiness with me. If they tell me "Have an EXCELLENT Kwanzaa!" I like that they're sharing happiness with me. If they tell me "Happy holiday!" I'll wonder why I only get ONE happy holiday... but still: I like that they're sharing happiness with me.

    I don't think either one is rude or insensitive and I don't see how any of them are politically incorrect. I don't even see how "Happy Holiday!" is PC because some people don't celebrate anything this time of year. Why can't we just be happy that people are sharing something nice with us??

    When I was in elementary school, we had a "Holiday Party" every year on the day before winter break. My teachers taught us about all three holidays. We played the dradel game, decorated Christmas cookies and we made paper kinaras. Nobody had any problems with it and ALL of the children had fun. Things are so stupid these days....
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    I'm from Texas and that definitely doesn't sound like us.

    Saying anything Christian might get the PC crowd on your case, but if you say any other religion you will have the crowd questioning your patriotism!
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Ah what the hell; let's just blame Obama:drinker: :tongue:

    Already did.

    thanks.gif
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Ah what the hell; let's just blame Obama:drinker: :tongue:

    Already did.

    thanks.gif

    :laugh: :laugh:
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Just read an article about how one school district (Texas maybe?) is really trying to "curb the holiday insensitivities" by only allowing "winter" parties - the staff and children aren't allowed to wear red or green, serve any red or green beverages or snacks and aren't allowed to greet each other with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" (unsure how they will deal with that). This overboard political correctness has gotten SO crazy. I'm just shocked. I don't get it.

    F'em.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    Oh who cares. Not everyone celebrates the same things for the same reasons.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Surprised that was in Texas - they are generally less liberal than northern states

    Notwithstanding the lack of evidence to suggest that this is a real story, rather than the usual crop of early December "shock, horror, its so unfair..." media stories about Christmas, the idea of restricting anyone in recognising their own tradition is profoundly illiberal.

    I think what you meant was Texas does seem to be very conservative in comparison to less benighted places ;)
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    You can't say "happy winter"...the religious people would freak saying your supporting paganism or druidism

    So paganism or druidism ( a form of paganism) aren't religions then...?

    hmm

    :)
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    t the "Merry Christmas Law" that Texas has that "clarifies and codifies the fact that students and district staff are permitted to discuss winter holidays as they please

    The fact that any public servants saw fit to expend legislative effort actually processing this says a lot more about the profoundly dysfunctional nature of representative democracy than anything else one might say in the thread.

    Mind you, if they're debating this then it avoids them interfering in other things.

    Land of the free eh???
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    merry christmahanakwanzaa to you too.


    seriously though people are too sensitive, that includes the people upset about not being able put up a "christmas" decoration. i also find it hilarious that parents are more upset about their kids not being able to wear red and green to school a few days out of the school year more than the sh*tty edcation those kids are receiving the majority of the days the kids are there :laugh:

    QFT!
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    I think it is wrong to exclude certain holidays from being celebrated, people just need to include other holidays. So have a holiday party where all winter holidays are celebrated and have the option to wear your favorite holiday color. I think it would be more fun to celebrate all the holidays rather than none of them.
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    Just read an article about how one school district (Texas maybe?) is really trying to "curb the holiday insensitivities" by only allowing "winter" parties - the staff and children aren't allowed to wear red or green, serve any red or green beverages or snacks and aren't allowed to greet each other with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" (unsure how they will deal with that). This overboard political correctness has gotten SO crazy. I'm just shocked. I don't get it.

    Yeah, I don't get it> It seems like a way to snuff out one's individuality. Why is it okay for me to wear a sports jersey on game day to support my team at a Catholic hospital, but not okay for school children to wear green and red or even have a picture of Jesus on the wall (when no one really knows what Jesus looks like)? Just putting it out there. Anyway, it reminds me of the book "1984" which is a great read, but so scary at many levels.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    t the "Merry Christmas Law" that Texas has that "clarifies and codifies the fact that students and district staff are permitted to discuss winter holidays as they please

    The fact that any public servants saw fit to expend legislative effort actually processing this says a lot more about the profoundly dysfunctional nature of representative democracy than anything else one might say in the thread.

    Mind you, if they're debating this then it avoids them interfering in other things.

    Land of the free eh???

    Well, that is spelling out a freedom. Why the need to spell it out, you mean? Imho, because school districts are a strange bastion of not-quite-freedom that is allowed to be that way because of the number of minors (and their pushy parents) involved. Some cases make it to the Supreme Court but mostly it's a system that runs the way it pleases and civil rights, etc, don't always apply.

    I have a thing against how schools are allowed to make policy in the US, just to be clear :) I know they are kids, but the disparity between 'governing' them and laws dictating governing American society is too great to be reasonable, I think. (Don't get me started on Family Court!)

    But that little law there? Yeah, it protects a freedom and I'm all for that :) Hopefully it didn't take much time or effort to be put through!
  • starrylioness
    starrylioness Posts: 543 Member
    My husband and I aren't religious but we still certainly say Merry Christmas!
  • missomgitsica
    missomgitsica Posts: 496 Member
    Where did you read this article? Because it sounds incredibly fake. Especially for Texas.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    Oh, I say lots of things :) I even make sure to say 'Happy Christmas' if the folks are from the UK or ROI, lol.

    If I don't know the person, I tend to say Merry Christmas because that's what we say around here. Then the Jewish or Muslim or Hindu or Pagan folks usually say their greetings back or mention what they'll be celebrating. That's the tradition, that exchange. Then we each ask about the food or whatever :) It works great. We all end up wishing each other happy everything.

    The people who are hard are the ones wanting to gripe when you bring up any of it! Oops. Didn't really want to hear an undergrad lecture on consumerism or the stupidity of religion just because I greeted you, thanks ;)
  • gertudejekyl
    gertudejekyl Posts: 386 Member
    It's insane and despicable. It sounds just like my town !:explode:

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