"Holiday Insensitivities"

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

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.

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'.

can I celebrate Yule?


I'm not pagan though.

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.

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....

Ah what the hell; let's just blame Obama:drinker:

Already did.

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.

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

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???

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.

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!

Where did you read this article? Because it sounds incredibly fake. Especially for Texas.

It's insane and despicable. It sounds just like my town !:explode: