General Discussion

Nonhlanhla

(2,074 posts)

32. The distinction is a simple one

Tue Dec 8, 2015, 10:05 AM

Dec 2015

"Happy Holidays" is a way of wishing everyone a happy time celebrating whatever they're celebrating: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Solstice, New Years, whatever. A Christmas tree, although originally pagan, is a Christian symbol. (It is not a particularly religious Christian symbol, more of a cultural one). It is not a Hanukkah symbol, a Kwanzaa symbol, a New Years symbol, or a Solstice symbol. I'm not going to insist that a large menorah placed in a public place be called "A Celebration Candle Holder" in the name of political correctness: it is a Jewish symbol and should be respected as such. Same with a Christmas tree. Instead I will wish everyone a Happy Holiday, and enjoy the various symbols of the various holidays, whether it be a National Christmas tree, or anything else that people want to put up.

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I�m confused. �Happy Holidays� is good, but the �National Holiday Tree� isn�t? [View all] fwiff Dec 2015 OP

Instead of a national tree, how about a karaoke night where we can all sing whatever we randys1 Dec 2015 #1

Interesting idea. We can call that night... Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #31

"Christmas" is a US national holiday, and is not a religious holiday jberryhill Dec 2015 #2

Yep! Kelvin Mace Dec 2015 #6

This is actually the most relevant reply to my question. fwiff Dec 2015 #9

And in a 1000 years or so when Christianity has gone the way of Odin Kelvin Mace Dec 2015 #11

Yes, you absolutely should be offended! FrodosPet Dec 2015 #35

It comes under "intent" Kelvin Mace Dec 2015 #3

Yes, intent matters. LuvNewcastle Dec 2015 #17

Yeah, that puzzles me Kelvin Mace Dec 2015 #19

I'm not Christian either leftynyc Dec 2015 #4

It's not outrage, simply a diffrent POV fwiff Dec 2015 #8

Disagree leftynyc Dec 2015 #23

Happy Holidays ecompasses Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Kwanzaa lunamagica Dec 2015 #5

I think it depends on the context el_bryanto Dec 2015 #7

This is all part of our "War on Christmas�", it helps confuse and disorient the enemy. Glassunion Dec 2015 #10

And you think making the mere mention of the name of the holiday a big offense........ WillowTree Dec 2015 #12

Again, I'm not objecting to anyone celebrating Christmas. fwiff Dec 2015 #13

And the tree....... WillowTree Dec 2015 #14

"Get over it" ? Seriously, THAT'S your response? cleanhippie Dec 2015 #39

Yes. WillowTree Dec 2015 #41

It seems obvious you are unable to see this issue from outside your own worldview. cleanhippie Dec 2015 #42

Ditto. To both statements. WillowTree Dec 2015 #43

Ahh, the old "I know you are, but what am I?" retort cleanhippie Dec 2015 #44

Look.....part of inclusiveness is learning to enjoy the cultures of others. WillowTree Dec 2015 #16

And before the 1800s....... WillowTree Dec 2015 #33

You might want to contemplate what "inclusive" means whatthehey Dec 2015 #29

If it is relevant to your argument that 2/3 of the world's population is not Christian, Nye Bevan Dec 2015 #15

Perhaps, but it would be more relevant to show that the "nones" are growing exponentially cleanhippie Dec 2015 #40

There is no such thing as a holiday tree in the U.S. in December. Snobblevitch Dec 2015 #18

I think it means something different if LuvNewcastle Dec 2015 #20

It doesn't bother me a bit if people wish each other Snobblevitch Dec 2015 #21

I agree about "Holiday Tree." LuvNewcastle Dec 2015 #22

Frankly I think we should just strike fucking December from the calendar. CBGLuthier Dec 2015 #24

I'll remind you this spring when it's Passover so you can go picket the WH onenote Dec 2015 #25

I would rather save my energy for other issues... Kalidurga Dec 2015 #26

You know, Tommy Lee Jones was asked about this very topic. Tommy_Carcetti Dec 2015 #27

No, Happy Holidays is not acceptable Cosmocat Dec 2015 #28

It's all bullshit. If you like Christmas, celebrate it. Period. Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #30

The distinction is a simple one Nonhlanhla Dec 2015 #32

some nice people are hearing it differently than we here at DU...they are told that it is CTyankee Dec 2015 #34

National Holiday tree sounds dumb. ileus Dec 2015 #36

Consistent application of your conclusion suggests changing the name of the holiday LanternWaste Dec 2015 #37

Here's what's going on with this issue that some don't seem to get Major Nikon Dec 2015 #38