"Its not that simple. the majority doesnt rule. the bill of rights was written so that people could be protected from the cruelty and tyrannyof the majority..."
While I don't really care one way or the other what someone says regarding this season, I'd hardly call asking that "Merry Christmas" be said instead of "Happy Holidays" an act of cruelty and tyranny.
As I see it, if I were in an Eastern country, nobody would be saying "Merry Christmas," but they probably wouldn't be saying "Happy Holidays" either. They'd probably be saying the greeting associated with the religious belief of the majority of people of that country. And you know what, that would be absolutely fine by me. I wouldn't consider it a matter of respect, I'd consider it a matter of culture. I'd smile, nod, and greet them according to their custom.
In fact, I'm living in Vancouver, and just a little while ago there was a Hindu celebration taking place, the Festival of Lights I believe. Those who celebrated (Hindu and non-Hindu alike), dressed in traditional Hindu clothes, and celebrated the whole day, and greeted each other in a way befitting the festival. I didn't see matters of respect arising there, and I certainly wasn't offended by it.
While there are several festivals taking place during this time of year, the one that most blatantly used in commercialism and most recognized in these western countries is that of Christmas. I don't see it as a bad thing that the others are recognized, and included in the greeting "Happy Holidays," but I also don't see it as a bad thing that people would want the most widely celebrated one (at least here in the West) to take precedent. As far as I'm concerned, it's a matter of choice.
However, as it seems to me, there seem to be a lot of people pushing that "Happy Holidays" be said instead of "Merry Christmas," precisely for the reason of respect. However, as I have said earlier, it isn't an issue of respect as far as I'm concerned. Of course, who am I to account for the extreme sensitivities of others? At any rate, one greeting shouldn't be pushed over another. At the same time, if one is going to use one particular greeting over the other, then one should understand why.
By this I mean that by saying "Happy Holidays," one should recognize that there are in fact many holidays being celebrated during this time and that one by saying "Happy Holidays," one is giving recognition to those holidays. At the same time, when one says "Merry Christmas," one should recognize the significance of the celebration for which the greeting is being said.
If anything, I'd be worried more that Western culture is undergoing an unwitting sterilization. By this, I mean that if many people say "Happy Holidays" without understanding why, and the real significance of those holidays being celebrated is lost, the the rich cultural heritage associated with those celebrations will become lost, and the culture emptied into a massive shift into pure materialism. ie, "holiday" will become taboo
, and be transformed into "gift-giving" day, or season. Buy! Buy! Buy!
Anyway, I guess that's my take on it.