Offended? Too Bad!
Still having a hard time with our culture's assault on public expressions of religious Christmas music and decorations. The holiday Christmas is celebrated in America because of its Christian heritage. All countries are entitled to celebrate the traditions of their heritage, and people that move there DO NOT have the right to change that. If one moves to another country surely they can not expect it to remove all public expressions of its heritage simply beacuse it's not in-line with thier own. Why why why then is it expected here? Put liberalism and litigation together and that's what you get. I'm sorry, if you are in store during the holiday season and they are playing Christmas music too bad if that offends you. Live with it! America needs to get a backbone and put its foot down. Just like every other country, it has the right to public expression of its traditions.
posted by tgags @ 7:06 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Tom - I've never ever been offended by any show of religious art, music, faith, or just plain old good cheer. Most Christmas music is beautiful (including all those Christmas songs written by us Jews :-) ) and so many of the more religious melodies are beyond beautiful. (although after a while, the repetition does begin to fray the nerves) I have always enjoyed all shows of all cultures.
Now, sir, having stated that, you might also become aware that it does not hurt to sprinkle a little bit of holiday joy towards a few other cultures and other religions as well. Doesn't diminish Christmas or Christianity one bit!
Do not forget that not everyone who ventures out in public is an adult. You have never experienced the sad look of disappointment and even downright dejection in the face of a young child who walks into any given Dunkin Donuts jammed full of only wall to wall Christmas decorations and wonders why they are not included, but in fact, are excluded. No matter how much, as an adult parent, you might try to explain the concept of majority, heritage and so forth, the child will only see that there is nothing of their own heritage, culture or identity there for them. Sometimes, it is not only about sheer numbers.
OK - say "too bad!" That's your right. But does a tiny draydel, menorah, or yes, a Kwanza decoration really dispel the Christmas cheer? OR perhaps maybe you might view it as simply adding to the festive holiday season, as I do.
I do not demand nor even expect to see a nod to my background, but I SURE DO APPRECIATE IT when it does occur. There is something to be said about inclusion, consideration, a welcoming spirit, sharing, and added cause for celebration.
Try to see it as a parent, or as a child.
As I've said to you so many times before, draw your line in the sand a little less rigidly. Leave some room for other viewpoints.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and all other Happy Holidays. Nothing wrong with that either.
Val
Good points.
I'm not against holiday joy towards other cultures and religions. My gripe is strictly with people who are 'offended' by these such expressions. Some retail stores have stopped playing Christmas music during the holiday shopping season. I enjoy that element but because some athiest may find it offensive, can't have that!
20 years ago it wasn't an issue, now people get offended and our traditions have to be censored. Just like they are trying to remove the word 'God' from the Pledge of Allegiance, and there is also a lawsuite to have "In God We Trust" removed from our money, because it offends people who don't believe in God I guess. Well, too bad to them!
A bit hard nosed, yes. But in a case like this I would like to see some hard nosed responses. If I was offended by a draydel, menorah, or Kwanza decoration I would be OK if those cultures told me 'Too Bad!'. We need a little "Too Bad!" in our world when it comes to this kind of issue.
Fair enough. I was probably a bit (or a lot) too harsh and judgemental myself. I guess what I said wasn't exactly in response to what your post stated, but rather a response I've been holding in a little too long. You just provided an opportunity for me to vent. So, sorry if I came on too strong, and if you want any draydels to keep your candy canes and such company, we have a surplus. Come and get them!
Val
Back in grammar school we had a Holiday Concert every year and we sung songs about Hanukkah and Christmas (maybe Kwanza I don't remember?), but it was so nice to sing all of those songs. All of us of different faiths enjoyed it. NOONE ever complained. One of the Hanukkah songs was one of the catchiest songs I had ever heard! I agree with what Val said I think we should have something that celebrates all Holidays that fall in that time frame. I think that's great. I have never heard of a Jewish person "offended" by anything Christmas specific, nor have I ever heard of a Christian "offended" by Hanukkah specific. It's the liberals and atheists I believe. They don't want anything "shoved" down their throat. Since when does seeing a Christmas tree (not to be called a Holiday tree in my opinion) or a Menorah mean they have to become that religion. Let's face it lights are beautiful whether they are in celebration of any Holiday whether it be the lights on a Menorah or the lights on a Christmas Tree....so those who can be that easily offended by an object really need to loosen up. Also note that these are, many times, the same people who are not offended when Janet Jackson flashed her breast when or they decided to show more and more sex and foul language on regular tv but the site of anything religious specific sends them crying.
I think they should wish people "Happy Holidays" and I don't think it should be changed to "Merry Christmas" because Hanukkah falls around that time as well...but I do feel that a Christmas Tree should be called a Christmas tree. Last year I went into Target to find one of those outdoor flags that said "Merry Christmas" and they didn't sell them. Only "Happy Holidays" with a picture of a Christmas Tree??? I found that odd. If it says Happy Holidays then it should be in celebration of all Holidays, and if you are going to only have a Christmas Tree on it it may as well say Merry Christmas.
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