It's that time of year

[Swift Terror 0]

To be fair to Macy's--they are still using Santa Clause and they do play Christmas music. But they still feel that they cannot use "Merry Christmas" in the signs and advertising.

 

Also, many corporations have sent out memos advising employees to avoid saying or writing "Merry Christmas" in their communications so as not to be exclusionary or offensive to Jews, Muslims, Atheists, etc.

 

 

Back when I worked at a bookstore I would say Merry Christmas to the customers as they bought their stuff. Occasionally I would get the mean-faced stare of someone who apparently thought I was being exclusionary--there might have been a Jew within hearing distance I guess.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Macy's is a private institution and can do what it want. Same with the store putting up Chinese New Years stuff or whatever. It's a privately owned business, and if you don't like it, you don't have to be there.

 

Usually the cultural arguements around Christmastime stem from the use of religious symbolism on public property (i.e. city park.) This is because so many different religions have a winter holiday and if one person has the okay to celebrate theirs on taxpayer ground, it turns into everybody wanting to do the same.

 

Born out of the situation in the above paragraph, you also have the whole athiests-with-lawsuits crapola. My own personal opinion is it's okay to have a religious display as long as you have a non-religious display as well, such as Santa and snowmen and whatnot, that anybody can enjoy regardless of faith. On the other side of the coin you have the evangelist crew, who scream bloody murder about how "Jesus is the reason for the season" and how we need to burn the reindeer and kill the jolly old fat man because he's distracting the kids from getting their yearly dose of Christ.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

It's a privately owned business, and if you don't like it, you don't have to be there.

Too bad the uber PC faggots don't heed your words of wisdom...

[Vern Gagne 0]

What does Santa have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus anyways? He's purely a secular symbol.

He sympolises the meaning of the giving part of the hollyday. Also, Santa Clause is based on an actual St.Nicholas. So their is a religious affiliation.

[Vern Gagne 0]

It's a privately owned business, and if you don't like it, you don't have to be there.

Too bad the uber PC faggots don't heed your words of wisdom...

No. The pc faggots are the people at Macy's. Yes, they can do what they want. But, they're bowing down to the pc anti-christmas groups.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'm talking about the pseudo-hippies that scream and run around proclaiming that some school has a CHRISTMAS tree in the cafeteria. Thank God I'm no longer in school...

[Jobber of the Week 0]

No. The pc faggots are the people at Macy's. Yes, they can do what they want. But, they're bowing down to the pc anti-christmas groups.

I don't see what's wrong with a company choosing to go the way they want? Wouldn't that be the principle you would be arguing for if it was the other way around and groups were pressuring Macy's to take signs down?

[Vern Gagne 0]

They can do what they want. But, why after so many years are they making such a drastic change? If other way around means, supporting groups telling Macy's to promote Christmas. Than, yes. I understand it's not a holiday celebrated by everyone. But it is an actual federal Holiday, celebrated by a majority of the population. Not some Pagan Re-Birth Festival.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

What does Santa have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus anyways?  He's purely a secular symbol.

He sympolises the meaning of the giving part of the hollyday. Also, Santa Clause is based on an actual St.Nicholas. So their is a religious affiliation.

Yes, I should have known better.

 

I know not everyone celebrates Christmas, but is it too much to ask that people be tolerant of other people's beliefs? All athiests I know celebrate Christmas anyways, and there are several other major religious holidays around this time of year as well. I just don't understand Americans.

 

To be fair to Macy's--they are still using Santa Clause and they do play Christmas music. But they still feel that they cannot use "Merry Christmas" in the signs and advertising.

 

Then use X-Mas.

[Guest sek69]

Maybe it's because I live in PA, but the only time I ever hear of schools trying to remove Christmas is on right wing radio shows when the host is on a "look at how pesecuted Christians are" kick. Most of the tales of evil schools fighting Christmas seem to take place in CA, and I think we can all agree they're all fucking nuts. If you elect Arnold your governor, you're no longer fit to be used as an example of how liberals want to rape the baby Jesus.

 

 

It seems to me that companies are just acknowledging that there's more than just Christmas in December, and there's nothing wrong with being a little inclusive.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Maybe it's because I live in PA

Where in PA?

 

the only time I ever hear of schools trying to remove Christmas is on right wing radio shows when the host is on a "look at how pesecuted Christians are" kick.

 

So? Like Big Media is going to report on this type of thing. Schools removing Christmas is like red meat to us right-wingers.

 

 

Most of the tales of evil schools fighting Christmas seem to take place in CA, and I  think we can all agree they're all fucking nuts.

 

I heard of a few other places doing it this year, too. Some place in WA and IL come to mind. I'm sure a Google search or two will bring up more answers.

 

It seems to me that companies are just acknowledging that there's more than just Christmas in December, and there's nothing wrong with being a little inclusive.

 

Seems to me that companies are bowing down to the uber PC fags. And I'm with you on being more inclusive. Put up multiple religious symbols, I say...

[TheBigSwigg 0]

Maybe it's because I live in PA, but the only time I ever hear of schools trying to remove Christmas is on right wing radio shows when the host is on a "look at how pesecuted Christians are" kick.

It cracks me up that one minute, Christians are claiming moral victory because of the election, and then as soon as it blows over they play the persecuted.

 

 

And I'm a Christian.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Because you can win at the ballot box, but if a bunch of whiny bitches cry to some business or threaten to get the ACLU there's not much you can do...

[Guest sek69]

Where in PA?

 

Pittsburgh.

 

So? Like Big Media is going to report on this type of thing. Schools removing Christmas is like red meat to us right-wingers.

 

Big Media in 2004-5 is owned by companies with largely conservative Republican interests, so lets take the "blame the media" argument off the table.

 

I think it gets reported less because people are starting to realize that conservative Christians can't have it both ways. They can't talk about their overwhelming victories and "political capital" in one breath, then scream about being opressed the next.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Pittsburgh.

Ditto.

 

Big Media in 2004-5 is owned by companies with largely conservative Republican interests, so lets take the "blame the media" argument off the table.

 

So is Hollywood, yet they have a liberal slant, so it's still on the table, next to the gravy and yams.

 

I think it gets reported less...

 

Reported less? I've been hearing more of these Xmas Nazi stories more than ever this year. I think it's just getting reported more in some areas and less in others...

[Vern Gagne 0]

It seems to me that companies are just acknowledging that there's more than just Christmas in December, and there's nothing wrong with being a little inclusive.

I think stores and other venues should,either represent all significant Holidays or just leave them out altogether.

 

One annoying thing is places like the GAP and Target playing Three Dog Night, and Captain and Tenille in Holiday ads. Yes, not everyone celebrates Christmas, but songs like Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride are pretty inoffensive.

[NoCalMike 0]

It can go both ways though, a school district here was forced to remove all Halloween affiliation, namely "witches" because some christian lady was going to sue the school for promoting witchcraft or something. I mean, people from BOTH SIDES take shit way to far, and even though I am an agnostic with atheist leanings, I enjoyed every second of the holiday tradition in school and I admit I like christmas music, and carolers(as long as they sing good, haha). I don't have a problem with any of it, as long as no certain culture or belief is being systematically removed, then who gives a shit.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Yeah, Mike I certainly can believe that. Some towns even up here moved Halloween to a Saturday (not here thank God).

 

We actually had an appropriate sermon that morning saying that would respect other people's beliefs and traditions and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with things like celebrating Halloween. Back when I was younger we used to have Halloween parties every year at my Church.

 

Too many people regardless of their political or religious beliefs simply want everyone to be exactly the same as they are, and I find it quite pathetic.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

That one lady who wants everything removed (both religious stuff and Santa) simply sounds like a Scrooge type, not someone who cares about being "PC" or whatnot.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I understand it's not a holiday celebrated by everyone. But it is an actual federal Holiday, celebrated by a majority of the population. Not some Pagan Re-Birth Festival.

And so if the postal service refused to put "Christmas" on their Christmas stamps I could understand.

 

But Macy's is doing this because they want to sell to everyone. Why is it a Christmas sale, shouldn't they be reaching out to those who celebrate Huanakkah, too? Heck, Macy's wouldn't even mind someone who celebrates Festivus as long as they drop some money at the register.

[Big Ol' Smitty 0]

Heck, Macy's wouldn't even mind someone who celebrates Festivus as long as they drop some money at the register.

I'm there.

[Some Guy 0]

We've gone from a tyrany of the majority to a tyrany of the minority on the Christmas deal in America. And there is no compromise that either side seems willing to make. I have no problem with X-Mas decorations, Kwanza decorations, or any other holiday's decortaions being put up in public. I just don't care. People are supposed to be free to worship whatever or whoever they do or don't want to. These whack jobs who feel it is their moral mission to control everyone else's lives because they are offended by something should be lined up and shot. I;m sick and fucking tired about hearing how "inclusive" the Left is and about their "big tent" because it's a bunch of horseshit. There is nothing inclusive about banning X-Mas decorations. Being inclusive would allowing those and other decorations to be put up. What you have here is a handful of resentful biggots who can't handle the fact that their holiday is not number one and/or want to pretend that X-Mas doesn't exist. My advice to them is to stop obstructing every fucking thing that you don't like, cut out the rigteous indignation routine and go on with your lives. You'll be a whole lot happier that way. Running around and being upset all the time is not a good way to have a happy life, that is, I suppose unless you truely enjoy bothering people and forcing your will upon them.

[Jorge Gorgeous 0]

We've gone from a tyrany of the majority to a tyrany of the minority on the Christmas deal in America. And there is no compromise that either side seems willing to make. I have no problem with X-Mas decorations, Kwanza decorations, or any other holiday's decortaions being put up in public. I just don't care. People are supposed to be free to worship whatever or whoever they do or don't want to. These whack jobs who feel it is their moral mission to control everyone else's lives because they are offended by something should be lined up and shot. I;m sick and fucking tired about hearing how "inclusive" the Left is and about their "big tent" because it's a bunch of horseshit. There is nothing inclusive about banning X-Mas decorations. Being inclusive would allowing those and other decorations to be put up. What you have here is a handful of resentful biggots who can't handle the fact that their holiday is not number one and/or want to pretend that X-Mas doesn't exist. My advice to them is to stop obstructing every fucking thing that you don't like, cut out the rigteous indignation routine and go on with your lives. You'll be a whole lot happier that way. Running around and being upset all the time is not a good way to have a happy life, that is, I suppose unless you truely enjoy bothering people and forcing your will upon them.

When one plans to go off on some "self-rigteous" tangent about something, having correct spelling is often a good idea.

 

Anyway, first I'd like to say that I think the main goal of the liberals isn't to have one, all-inclusive group... instead I believe its to do away with the idea of a group. Its not a "big tent" my friend, its "no tent." Macy's can do whatever the hell they want, if they want to set up a Nativity scene in their lady's undergarments section, they can do that. Macy's is a private business, and they can decorate however they please. If they're going to make this move, I'm sure theres some sort of economic incentive, or at least the prospect of one, waiting in the wings. As far as public institutions go, when the matter is religious, the lowest common denominator sets the pace. If nobody complained, a giant driedal could be set up on top of the Washington Monument. I think its petty to complain about whether or not a school should have Holiday decorations up, but if one person cares, then it becomes an issue. The seperation of Church and State is an idea that the country is strongly rooted in, and unfortunately, you have to take the good with the bad.

 

As far as Christmas being a relgious holiday anymore, I have to side with the secular camp. There are plenty of people who still attend church, and celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, but the majority is families like mine. We're Jewish, but we still get a tree and pass out presents on Christmas morning, because now its about family and friends, and coming together to exchange gifts, eat a big dinner and spend some quality time with your loved-ones. As far as I'm concerned, its a far more logical reason than some dead guy's birthday.

[2GOLD 0]

Far as I'm concerned, Christmas Eve is about the dead guy.

The morning I cared about as a child didn't have to do with the dead fellow, as nice as he may have been.

 

It's nothing more than the Winter Festival. Tree, fat guy in a red suit, presents, ham and lots of egg nog or apple cider.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Everyone should just call it "The Holidays" in a general sense.

[King Cucaracha 0]

It's as bad here in England too, so it's not just a U.S thing...the whole world's becoming fearful of not being politically correct. And of course, despite the fact that the majority of people think the ideas are stupid, the minority win out. Because the minority can get supported by lawyers should they get a little tetchy.

 

AoO- If I had a pound for every time someone said 'Happy Holidays' while doing Christmas shopping, I'd be...well, moderately wealthy.

[Highland 0]

The uber-PCness hasn't quite infested here yet, but then again I live in the hinterland.

[Guest BDC]

Y'know what? I'll celebrate Christmas as a day to mark the birth of Christ. I'll call it Christmas. I'll stand in the face of some PCNazi and say "HAPPY CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS".

 

I just hate PC Cops.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

I find it hilarious how offended some people get that others would rather use "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas". I use both interchangeably and don't ever think about it. Some people complain so much about people being "PC" they simply use this as a designation for any action they don't like. I suppose if some company led by a devout atheist refused to use "Christmas" we'd be hearing about how it's because they are "PC". And Christ wasn't born on December 25th.

 

Oh, and one more thing: a big FUCK YOU to whoever decided that EVERY store in the goddamn country has to play the same fucking annoying Christmas music and endless variations on it (sung as jazz, sung as country, sung as some dumb rock knockoff in a Gap commercial, etc.) ALL THE TIME. I had to stop going to Starbucks to study and do homework because I can't stand the mind-numbing Christmas music being played over and over again. Would it kill one company, heck even one store, to say "we are not going to play this horrendous stuff, that most of our customers hate anyway, just for the sake of conformity"?

[Slayer 0]

And of course, despite the fact that the majority of people think the ideas are stupid, the minority win out. Because the minority can get supported by lawyers should they get a little tetchy.

Solution: Get rid of the lawyers