Is 'happy holidays' really so terrible? 2010 edition

The only people that are offended either way are morons.

Who cares, really? That said, Hanukkah has evolved into a 'major holiday' simply because it gives Jewish kids something to celebrate while the Christians have their trees, gifts... (which is a fine reason btw). Otherwise, Hanukkah would be no more significant than many other Jewish holidays that aren't as widely celebrated because of the time of year they fall into so let's not kid ourselves about the significance of Hanukkah or its status as a major holiday.

Really, I'd imagine the Jewish population in the US is small enough that this shouldn't be much of an issue.

Yup, it offends me. It used to be called "Christmas Break" from school. The Macy's "Thanksgiving" parade used to be called the Macy's "Christmas" parade. The change to "Happy Holidays" is to me a sign of weakness. Cowtowing to a very small number of whiny people who are insignificant and have done nothing with their lives, other than to try to be self-important by taking on the system ... for the sake of making themselves important.. by saying they are offended by the term... "separation of church and state", etc.. (the phrase does not exist in the constitution, btw). It is a devaluation of a significant source of good in the country. A small number of people can bitch, but The Church is a major source of good. I'd rather donate money to Big Church than the US government, 'cause I know it'll will be better spent. OR you could see it as a BIG attack on what founded this country. If power comes from God, then it does not come from the State. So any acknowledgement of God is bad. Hence, "you can't say 'Christmas'". It's an attack on what started this country. "Endowed by their creator..." etc. "Happy Holidays" is not inclusive. "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hannukah" (never could spell it) are inclusive. 70 to 80 percent of US citizens self-identify as Christian. So why not say "merry Christmas"? Shalom. * (edit) It isn't the Jewish population causing "Happy Holidays" to be said. It's lame-assed "political correct" types.

Why can't we just say Merry Christmas when it's Christmas time, and Happy Hannukah for friends/people we know who celebrate/care about it? If toes are stepped on, then they'll correct us. Fucking PC types.

What Fred said. Also, this is a non-issue. If I want to say Merry Christmas, who's gonna stop me?

I only get offended when people wish me a a Happy Halloween instead of a Happy Samhain.

Very disrespectful to me and my fellow Satanists.

No, it's not. People who are offended by it, like the three posters above Magician, are morons. Conversely, those offended by someone saying Merry Christmas to them are also morons. That being said, I don't really care either way. Say what you want. I've always viewed Happy Holidays to acknowledge the holiday season of Thanksgiving through New Years. Merry Christmas seems more date specific, as in it would seem odd to me to say it to someone when it's not actually Christmas. But I've also been nonreligious my entire life so that's just my perspective.

Why can't we just say "Hey, fuck you and your beliefs!"

Attack on what started this country? Please... I'm not offended by any of it. Say whatever you like. Being offending by people who say Happy Holidays is ridiculous and rather self-important.

Pretty much

"Happy Holidays" is part of the culture war, and carries significance because of that, regardless of whether you realise it or wish to acknowledge it as such. The only reason this time of year is a holiday to begin with is because of Christmas. (Distant pagan roots not withstanding.)

I've often wondered how the phrase managed to take off in America, a country that continues to hang on to it's Christian heritage, while the public in Britain, a much less religious society, refuse to accept it or any of the other ghastly neologisms, despite the best attempts by the usual suspects to introduce them.

As a Jew, I have to say this level of PC is absurd and offensive. Why does everything need to be so damn vanilla? When you try pleasing everyone you end up pleasing no one. Offer Christmas greetings to Christians and wish me a happy Chanukah! Finally, Jews who prevent Christians from expressing their Christianity incites anti-Semitism. Let them celebrate their holidays, dammit! Would you like it if Palestinians complained about Israelis celebrating Chanukah?? Live and let live!
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On that note, happy Chanukah!! I'll be celebrating here in DC, and I hope all of you find great ways to celebrate wherever you are!

Ignoring the other reason why its a holiday, celebrating the birth of a guy who was born in spring is the ONLY reason the start of winter is a holiday!


(I don't care. Say whatever you want. I usually say Christmas since I celebrate it non-religiously, which is more than possible.)