When our ancestors migrated to America from various foreign lands to escape religious persecution, I don't think this is what they had in mind. So with that...
Merry Christmas.
There. I said it. The dreaded taboo phrase that makes some people cringe and some others see red. But why is that, exactly? I mean, in the land where religious freedom is a right written in the United States Declaration of Independence Bill of Rights, why then are we so afraid to fully celebrate a religious holiday?
I'm not trying to bust anyone's balls or piss in anyone's Wheaties, but get the Hell over it. If I walk up to you and say Merry Christmas, it's not the same as beating you over the head with a Bible and forcing my religion on you. If someone of the Jewish faith wishes me a Happy Hanukkah, I'll wish them a Happy Hanukkah right back. I'm not Jewish. I don't celebrate Hanukkah. But I'm not offended. If someone wishes me a Happy Yule, I'll wish them a Happy Yule as well. And if someone says Happy Kwanzaa, I'm going to wish them a Happy Kwanzaa too. And you know what? I'm not offended by someone wishing me a happy or merry anything. Good wishes are the same in every language, in every faith, and in every good deed. So exercise that freedom of speech and the freedom of religion while you've still got the right to do so.
Whether you call it a Christmas tree, a Yule tree, or a Holiday tree, it's the same damn thing, but one restricts the use of religion. Oh, you say you celebrate all religions by saying Happy Holidays? Great. You better have a tree, a Yule log, a menorah, a pentagram, and something to represent every known religion in your home. Otherwise, you're just trying to be "politically correct" by sacrificing your own beliefs.
That, my friends, it's a far cry from religious freedom. As a country, we've gone so far with religious tolerance that we've circled back to intolerance out of fear. Are you offended if I wish you a Merry Christmas? If so, step back and really consider if the deity that you worship will applaud your intolerance of other religions. If so, perhaps you should relocate to a county that thinks, feels, behaves, and believes exactly the same as you do. Does that offend you?
Good.
Be glad you live in a country where you are allowed your own opinion; allowed to be offended openly. Stop taking the rights and freedoms you've been given for granted. They may not be around forever; we've lost so many already. Don't you think it's time we stop bickering over the various holidays we all celebrate, and remember why we celebrate them in the first place?
Our finding fathers would kill for the freedoms we have. In fact, they did. Our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends have been dying for over 200 years trying to protect what few freedoms we have left. It's a battle we're slowly losing. So stop bitching about someone wishing you well. Thank them, say it back, and go on with your merry little day, perhaps with a little extra bounce in your step. Or move to another country.
Merry Christmas.
Very well said. :)
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