Festivus...for the rest of us?
Are the holidays getting too politically correct? And, hm, does my use of the word “holidays” rather than “Christmas” reveal anything?
boudicca40 posts this on In The News: “Christmas without a Christ? Sound odd? Turns out, Jesus in a Christmas festival may offend non-Christians… ‘[Chicago] Officials have asked organizers of a downtown Christmas festival, the German Christkindlmarket, to reconsider using a movie studio as a sponsor because it is worried ads for its film "The Nativity Story" might offend non-Christians. An executive vice president with New Line Cinema, Christina Kounelias…said she finds it hard to believe that non-Christians who attended something called Christkindlmarket would be surprised or offended by the presence of posters, brochures and other advertisements of the movie."One would assume that if (people) were to go to Christkindlmarket, they'd know it is about Christmas," she said.’”
isabella710 writes, "I read that today. Sorry but if it's called a 'Christmas' festival, people shouldn't be offended by 'The Nativity Story' and a nativity scene. And if they are, they should stay home. People have to stop caving into this nonsense."
kathleen__mary responds: “The Christkindlmarket in Chicago is basically an outdoor market (food, crafts, gifts), not a religious event, although I understand your point :)”
cl-libraone : “It would be a shame to change the intended tradition because it might offend.” Um, yes, but you know, things racism and sexism are also traditions in many places. I know I’m taking libraone’s words out of context, but doing something a certain way just because it’s “traditional” seems like specious logic to me.
kathleen__mary : “It's so interesting how things go, isn't it? Bringing Christ into the marketplace, ie. commercialization of Christmas, has been around so long now. Some Christians want that changed, some don't, and both consider the other stance offensive. “
Personally, I have mixed feelings. I’m Jewish, and so of course love nothing more than Christmas. Ever heard that song from “South Park,” “A Lonely Jew on Christmas”? Well, yeah! You feel a little left out. But not from the religious trappings. It’s everything else you want when you grow up without Christmas – the Macy’s windows and “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the good cheer and the tree and egg nog and light and sparkles and what have you. To me, that’s all Christmas is – a time of the winter when everything gets sparkly. So the less religious Christmas is, the more I’m okay with it being EVERYWHERE – Christmas blaring in every story, people greeting you with “Merry Christmas.” If all that really has to do with Jesus, then yes, count me out, don’t make any assumptions about my religious beliefs and say “Merry Christmas” to me, thanks but no thanks. But if it’s just a way of lighting up the long, dark nights of winter (in the same way that, hello, Hanukah is) and appreciating the people we love, then bring it on.
Know what I mean?
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It seems an odd place to draw the line - advertising for a film with television commercials and print ads.
I'm not Christian - but I think the removal of the reasons for holidays is the wrong response. Instead of promoting exclusion of things, maybe these festivals simply need to work on opening them and creating a more INclusive atmosphere. Maybe adding events representative of other winter holidays and festivals would be a better option.
Well, my father was a minister, so I grew up with his taking offense at all the Christmas hoopla because it was all about the marketplace and "drinking parties" -- so much so that the spiritual and religious core of the holiday was almost totally drowned out... The idea that somehow being greeted at WalMart by someone saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" means "taking back Christmas" seems ironically ludicrous to me. But then maybe it's time to just acknowledge the fact that capitalism has won over religious observance and just go ahead and get the Christ OUT of Christmas, give it up to Santa and ignore the origin of the holiday's name...
Personally, I think making things inclusive is a *good* thing, despite the efforts of certain people to demonize those who would rather not assume the entire world is Christian.
we don't assume the entire world is Christian
But the majority of people in this country are
I was taught that the majority rules. I think enough surveys and quizes have been conducted to justify that more people than not would rather say Merry Christmas than Happy Holidays, no Christmas..then what holidays are you celebrating? It is a Christmas Tree not a holiday tree We are not here to appease non-christians. If you don't agree, believe or just simply don't like it Fine, ignore it and leave the rest of us be I could not care less what the person thinks. But if anyone thinks I will be told what to do because of a few,
they are soooooooooooooo wrong.
This whold war on Christmas has gotten out of hand. I understand how people can think Christmas is being attacked but we need to respect other peoples beliefs and the constitution. I think we should have light and decorations up but as a happy holiday theme. They should just call it Festivus. Its for the rest of us. whatisfestivus.com is a good resource if you have never heard of it.