Am…musings

I’m guessing this post isn’t going to be popular with many people … even some I call close friends. But when I hear grumblings about having to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, it bothers me a bit … ok, really, it bothers me a lot.

I felt exactly the same way when some people zealously said “we are a Christian nation” after our President uttered these words, “One of the great strengths of the United States is … we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”

Yes, Mr. President, I agree … because last I checked, we were the land of the free … free to be whatever religion (or lack thereof) we want to be. The very first amendment of our constitution makes it pretty clear … Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

So to those that would prefer to say Merry Christmas … particularly in public settings like the mall, offices or public schools … I say to you that not everyone believes what you believe.

To me, saying Happy Holidays (whether it be to my friends who I know have different beliefs or to strangers or acquaintances who may or may not believe what I believe) doesn’t mean my faith or beliefs are jeopardized or weak, rather I think it shows an openness and empathy towards others, which for me is part of the true meaning of the season.

Happy Holidays!

By MNkiteman on Flickr

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm and is filed under rants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.