‘Happy holidays': Offensive?
Okie dokie. Let's start instead saying "Happy Solstice" or "Happy Yule" rather than "Happy Holidays." Of course, if they say "Merry Xmas" to you, blessing you in their own little way, and obviously meant as something nice, why not bless them back by using our holiday, from our heart, meant in the same context? After all, the "Merry Xmas" people are not meaning us any harm, and are giving us the blessings of their religion. Why not return the favor?
‘Happy holidays': Offensive?:
‘Happy holidays': Offensive?
Friday, November 18, 2005 11:27 PM EST
- Commentary by Erik Gable
It's offensive. It's outrageous. It's an affront to all that's good and decent in the world.
Are you ready? It's the phrase “Happy holidays.”
That's right, folks, it's that time of year again - time for all the would-be martyrs in the ranks of the perpetually appalled to start complaining about the so-called “war on Christmas.”
This year, the cultural warriors have focused their ire on Wal-Mart and other department stores that use “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” in their advertising.
It's hard to understand why some people find “Happy holidays” so objectionable. It's meant to be an all-inclusive greeting, a simple recognition of the fact that we live in a diverse society where some people celebrate Christmas and others celebrate Hanukkah, while for a few, New Year's Eve may be the most important part of the holiday season. In no way whatsoever does it denigrate Christmas.
But to hear the hue and cry about store clerks wishing people “Happy holidays,” you'd think they were telling customers to worship Satan or handing out dead kittens free with every purchase.
One of the most vocal opponents of the phrase “Happy holidays” is Bill O'Reilly, host of “The O'Reilly Factor” on FOX News.
“I don't believe most people who aren't Christian are offended by the words ‘Merry Christmas,'” he said on his Nov. 9 show. “I think those people are nuts. I think you're crazy if you're offended by the words ‘Merry Christmas.' ”
Does anyone else see the irony here? The people who mock others for objecting to “Merry Christmas” have simultaneously decided that “Happy holidays” is the most offensive thing they've ever heard.