Arenti wrote:I'm really getting pissed off with names having to be changed like Christmas or that in some countries Santa clause can't say: Ho Ho Ho... If people get offended by it, it's their problem. I don't see them changing names of their religion's holidays or special days. Why should we? I mean isn't it so that we should all accept each other's religion? For me It's Christmas and always will be Christmas, and if I can't say it , I will still say it. It's just sad it;'s even an issue. Don't people have anything better to do?
Should I weigh in? Some people's attitude towards Christmas is akin to a common European or third-world countries feeling towards America/American corporate culture. Namely, it seems to be very "in your face". I have my own culture, going back centuries, thank you very much. Don't need to see your MacDonalds and Starbucks and Coca-Cola everywhere I turn. Now, translate that from country-> religion, and maybe you can understand their point.
Additionally, in the US in particular, we have two clauses in our Constitution that are considered fundamental -- the freedom to worship as own chooses, and the separation between church and state (the prohibiton of promoting by government one particular religion over any other). And these are a balancing act. So, whereas the state can't stop you from, say, putting up a 50 ft tree in your front yard, and enough lights on your house or store or hotel to blind a polar bear (unless they can prove there's a compelling state interest), the same cannot be said for public places such as public schools, courthouses, airports, etc. (There are different legal tests for what's allowed and lwhat is not, which I won't get into here).
That being said, there are certainly "politically correct" dicta that are just plain silly. Snickie can't SAY, "Merry Christmas"? If that's a school policy, that is certainly not a policy justified by law, and in fact probably runs afoul of the free exercise clause, as well as the free speech clause (although schools are held to different standards in the eyes of the law, and I am not a lawyer). The school is probably just trying to cover themselves against some overly-litigious nutcases. Nonetheless, if true, it's probably actionable. But can a school have a concert and call it a Christmas one? No. Because that would be counter to the establishment clause.
OTOH, I can't stand it when businesses* have obvious Christmas displays and say "Happy Holidays". No. It's Christmas. Call it what is. Don't wimp out. I don't expect you to celebrate my holidays. Celebrate yours, and be proud of it.
(* and when governmental places do it, it's worse than wimping out. It's illegal)
As an Orthodox Jew living in the USA, I have no problem with people's displays of lights, creches, etc at this time of year. I find many of them pretty (others are just tacky...). I enjoy a lot of the music, too. But it should be enjoyed in the private/commercial sphere. Don't bring it into properties that belong to the public, that I pay taxes to support, that subtly proclaims, "you are merely tolerated here, for the moment, but you don't really belong."
(And no, I don't happen to agree with those muncipalities who put up symbols of all different faiths is some sort of ecumenical display. It should not be "all" (as if it really could be. Do you know how many religions there are out there?), it should be "nothing". My two cents)
