Christians, do you get offended if someone says Happy Holidays?

Question

Instead of Merry Christmas?

Do you still shop in stores that say Happy Holidays?

Just wondering. My business partner and I are having a debate on whether we should send Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday fliers.

Answer 1

OMG. Good question though.



I was once called by a woman who demanded I spell out "x-mas" on a marquee because I was taking the Christ out of Christmas. Let's just say I left it up.



But, to answer your dilemma... use happy holidays. That way it covers all religions. And if anyone gets offended then they can just... well, you know.

Answer 2

I'm not Christian, but I prefer people say Merry Christmas, at least to me. I would shop at a store with signs that say Happy Holidays. If you happen to know the people whom you are sending the fliers to as well as their religion, I would say it should be OK to send the Merry Christmas fliers to those who you know to be Christian. The Happy Holidays might be sent to those who are not Christian. When in doubt, perhaps the Happy Holidays fliers instead. That should be general enough, and would cover all bases without offending anyone.

Answer 3

Im Jewish and have never been offended when someone wishes me a "Merry Christmas". However the term "Happy Holidays" is more inclusive as Jewish families celebrate Hanukah at roughly the same time and also are out there buying gifts. So if you have a retail business and wish to put up a sign that says "Merry Christmas" you might want to consider also having a sign that says "Happy Chanukkah".



Please dont put up a sign that says "Merry Xmas". It looks like you're cheap with the lettering.



Also I am Jewish and I do plan on having a merry Christmas. I will be celebrating it with my family the way my people always have, by going out for Chinese food.

Answer 4

The company I work for was going through this same debate. As a company, you're clients opinions do matter - above your own. Some church leaders may be offended, others may not even take notice. You and your business partner could buy two sets of cards and send out "merry christmas" ones to Christian clients and "happy holidays" to everyone else.

Answer 5

Not at all!



I'll say Merry Christmas to someone I know celebrates Christmas, but to a client in the law firm, a stranger on the street or whatever I might say Happy Holidays instead. It's always safe when you can't tell what the person might be celebrating.

Answer 6

I'm Christian and I think there is nothing with a store saying "Happy Holidays". I don't expect everyone to celebrate everything the same way I do but all I ask is that people don't make a big deal about those who do say Merry Christmas. I mean it's the "holiday season" for crying out loud. The last thing we need to do is fight about it.

Answer 7

LOL - good one...



As a buddhist, I can tell you that it strikes me as a little thoughtless when people say "Merry Christmas" instead of Happy Holidays.



I don't go around protesting or anything, but I do prefer "Happy Holidays" because you don't know if I'm Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Atheist.



Furthermore, If you think that Jesus was actually born on December 25th (Pagan Yule) then you have another thing coming...



The Holidays are for everyone and I think if you keep yourself in good cheer, the little things don't matter as much. I'm just glad that someone is wishing me a happy anything.

Answer 8

I wouldn't say offended...but it does bother me when stores purposely choose to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." If they are profiting off of Christmas, then they should at least have the character to mention the holiday.



However, I have to admit that its not enough to keep me away from shopping at that store - but I do remember which stores avoid the "Merry Christmas" slogan in a negative light.

Answer 9

Most Christians, by command, are peace-makers. That's why, even though there are more Christians in this country, all you hear is the offended voice of the non-Christian population. I wouldn't be offended or boycott your business because of a Happy Holiday sign. I think most Christians would agree. On the other hand, if a store made a point of celebrating the Christ side of the holidays, I'd probably make a point of buying there. Not sure I was much help. Sorry.

Answer 10

I've been a Christian all my life. when I think of "Happy holidays iI think of lumping all the winter holidays into a single greeting. It does not offend me. There are some theories that you need to think about. 1. "Merry Christams" will offend some. 2. "Happy Holidays" may offend others. 3. Christmas is a pagan holiday to some christains and a religious holdiay to others. 4. Luke 12:8 & 9 "I tell you whoever acknowledges me before men, the son of man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. but he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God." And again in Matthew 24:9 "...And you will be hated by all nations because of Me." The point is, who do we need to be concerned about offending? God or man? so Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas, Happy new year and all the rest too. (I'd go with Merry Christams personally but one might get raked over the coals for it)

Answer 11

properly, in a lot of places you're informed now to not say Merry Christmas or demonstrate the nativity scene notwithstanding it really is alright to say chuffed holiday journeys. If we do have freedom of religion then we ought to continuously be able to wish the position and each and each and every time we favor, say Merry Christmas, and demonstrate nativity scenes. yet others get offended through this. I absolutely have continuously believed that Jesus changed into the reason of the season so in case you're taking out that section there's no vacation. Why ought to we stop saying Merry Christmas or In God we believe, One u . s ., below God? We been saying those products for properly over one hundred years.

Answer 12

i am not a christian and i would rather hear Merry Christmas tha Happy Holidays. the phrase happy holidays suggests that there is something holy about the upcoming event. both phrases are addressing the same day. we all know that.



when somebody says "happy holidays" they probably are not thinking of quanza or haunakkha, so it is more insulting to hear someone refer to christmas as a "holy day" when it really is just a corrupt, commercialized event that keeps people in debt, kills trees, and brings up gas prices.



EDIT: i try to wish everyone a warm winter. it's pleasant and is actually neutral and even the atheists can appreciate it.

Answer 13

No I don't get offended...b/c when someone says happy holidays I usually think of Christmas and New Years day and other cultural celebrations going on that time of the year...it all depends on the meaning behind the words

Answer 14

I'm an atheist, but if someone tries to wish me a "Happy Holidays", I'll actually tell them that it's OK to just say "Merry Christmas".



Whether I personally celebrate it or not, December 25 is always going to be Christmas, so why not just call a spade a spade?

Answer 15

I am not offended by happy Holidays! I am much more offended when someone takes Christ out of Christmas by writing or saying Merry X-Mas instead of writing or saying Merry Christmas.

Answer 16

I don't have a problem with it.



I remember last year people trying to cause a stink because Wal*Mart employees were told to say "Happy Holidays". . .shrug. . . .If that is what the place I worked for told me to do I would do it too.



Not eveyrone celebrates the birth of Christ on Christmas. . .Happy Holidays is neutral. . .and not a big deal. Some people want to make issues over everything, sigh.

Answer 17

As a Christian I usually do not get offended because they say Happy Holidays. I would say the thing that bothers me most about the Holidays is the commercialization. When I go to a store and see more Santa's, snowmen (although they are cute), more Reindeer and all other sorts of things, it tends to make me sad at how the true meaning of Christmas has been lost. As a Christian I try to have traditions that focus on Jesus rather than commercialization. Although I haven't had a chance to do this...my ideal Christmas setting is to put white lights around the house with a Nativity Scene and other Christian related ornamentas up. I wouldn't have a Christmas tree....and on Christmas morning each person will have 3 gifts, the amount of gifts Jesus received from the wise men. We would have a Christmas dinner where we would spend time in prayer afterward..then have a big Happy Birthday Jesus Party....Which My friend has done and its always a hit with the kids. Its fun too. they get a birthday cake and put on 1 candle, then they all sing happy birthday and celebrate why Jesus had to come.



Aaronsque, you said that there are many ways to salvation in Christ Jesus, but I beg to differ with you.



"Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me." John 14:6



"1Jo 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1Jo 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God;

1Jo 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.





These 2 sets of verses contradict what you say. Jesus is the only way of salvation and anyone claiming salvation some other way is not a true convert of the Lord. 1 John says that anyone claiming Jesus came in flesh is of God, but anyone claiming that he didn't is not of God. By claiming that there are more paths of salvation than Jesus is to blaspheme God, because you are defaming who God says that he is in His word. Also, claiming many paths of salvation would nullify Jesus needing to come to die. If Jesus isn't the only way of Salvation His death was in vain. We wouldn't have to have a savior if we could do it on our own, but as it is, we need a Savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ. The reason we celebrate Christmas.





Have a wonderful Christmas Season everyone!

Answer 18

I'll be interested in how they respond. To me, there is nothing offensive in "Happy Holidays." You're wishing someone a nice holiday. To me, it's far worse to say "Merry Christmas" to someone who does not worship Christ as a god. Don't the Jewish people in this country, for example, have to put up with enough without having to accept greetings for a holiday they don't celebrate?

But, you can't go by me; I tend to be more tolerant about such things than many Christians I know.

Answer 19

It doesn't bother me in itself. I prefer Merry Christmas, for there's nothing wrong with it. Besides, how are you going to know you're offending someone of a different faith when you say it to them unless they're wearing a burqa, yarmulke or some other type of religious paraphernalia until AFTER you've said it?

Answer 20

No because saying Happy Holidays means that you have respect for the other culture around the world. Happy Holidays can mean to those other cultures, not just Christmas

Answer 21

I know why they say it because they don't know what religion you are. If I was Jewish and they said Merry Christmas I would get offended, so Happy Holidys is better4 everyone

Answer 22

Nope. But I may be the exception to the rule. However, if you are in business and want to be politically correct, you will need to know something about ur customers and what beliefs they hold. Be it religious or otherwise. That, I think, should be ur guide.



However; I believe it could be a great opportunity to share your personal beliefs or non-beliefs with your community. Sometimes people are more accepting than you think they will be.

Answer 23

I am one hundred percent non -religious , but I wish people a Merry Christmas .

Answer 24

American Dad did an episode entirely based on this.



Stan, the main character, went crazy over people saying "Happy Holidays."



In the end, he really ruined the true meaning of Christmas. :-)

Answer 25

No, b/c people celebrate different holidays during this season. I don't dictate which holiday they want to celebrate.



BTW--my atheist ex-husband LOVED Christmas, nativity scenes aside. Why? I wonder.

Answer 26

Offended, not really...Im a wee bit irritated that there's so much hoopla over being PC at Christmas but I have to make special arrangements with the teachers to make sure my kids dont participate in schoolwide Halloween parades.

Answer 27

I only shop in stores that are completely honest. So, I don't go into any stores that use any greeting other than "Merry Orgy of Consumerism"

Answer 28

Being a Christian is something that is in your heart and God wants us to use our faith in Him to tell people about Christ. There are a lot of people out there that don't believe in God and still others that believe in some other god. You can either respect other beliefs and compromise your own or share your beliefs with others and risk offending a few. Personally, I think it is worth the risk to share your beliefs and let others worry about whether they are offended or not. Never compromise Christ because YOU may be the only Christ that others know. Show His love through you...

Answer 29

Well, the holiday, whether one observes it or not is still Christmas. Why not say so, if only to wish a person merriment during the time?

Answer 30

No, I don't get offended. I just assume they are referring to Christmas and New Year.

Answer 31

It does upset me. The whole reason Christmas came about was to celebrate Christ's birth. It's all so commercial now and the real reason for it is getting lost.



best wishes



Star

Answer 32

In business you might consider a more neutral approach. But, it depends on the nature of your business. How well you know your customers and their religious background. We keep it simple and no one complains about the neutral nature of "Happy Holidays".

Answer 33

I have no problem with it whatsoever



I do find it odd though that ppl are demanding the Holidays be de-spiritualized, I am not offended by menorahs or any other faiths holiday festivities

Answer 34

No, I'm, not offended if they can explain to me what Holiday they are celebrating and why? If the secular people want to turn Christmas into another Holiday,,then they should pick out their own day and name it...maybe instead of Christmas,,,they could call it,...the Anti-Christmas Day...or something....

Answer 35

I don't get offended, but I don't like it nor will I use it and I would rather support companies with my money who use Merry Christmas.

Answer 36

AWW! Did some body get offended? In that case, let's not say,"Good Morning" or "Have a good day" or "Good Luck on your job interview" either. God forbid.

Answer 37

Of course they do. Why do you think I start saying that in October!

Answer 38

Don't offend me.

Answer 39

OMG such a trivial thing to debate.

Answer 40

Of course not. Whether Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim or Hindu, there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

Answer 41

no problem

Answer 42

NO