The Christmas Wars

Well it depends on what you were trying to prove with your 'example'. It sounded like you were trying to claim that your language's word for 'Christmas' is equally as void of Christian origin as those mentioned by saab93f.But as caffeine pointed out that's not true.

I think that's the exact definition of Political Correctness - tailoring your words for what you can get out of it rather than saying what you mean.Of course, retailers can offend people by saying "Merry Christmas" or by NOT saying "Merry Christmas" so they'd have to analyze the demographics pretty thoroughly to be politically correct.

Sorry for not clarifying, but it has everything to do with Christianity. The Dutch word for 'kers' is 'kaars'. 'Kerst', on the other hand, is an old word for 'Christ'. If you have a look at the Afrikaans wikipedia article on Christmas, it begins thusly:

quote:

---

Kersfees, vanuit Kerst, 'n Middelnederlandse naam vir ‘Christus’, en dus letterlik Christusfees(..)

---

and in case you're not trusting of Wikipedia, you can read a selection of various Dutch etymological dictionaries here.

So, is it OK to say "Merry Christmas"? Yes.Is it OK to say "Merry Christmas" if non-christians would object? Still yes.Is it OK to say "Season's Greetings"? Yes.Is it OK to say "Season's Greetings" if christians object? Still yes.Is it OK to tell an objecting non-christian that saying "Merry Christmas" is appropriate in a secular society? Yes.Is it OK to tell an objecting christian that saying "Season's Greetings" is appropriate in a secular society? Yes, again.Is it OK to tell anyone who objects to either phrase that they are being inappropriately oversensitive and they should stop being such an ass? Definitely yes.Is it OK for anyone who objects to either phrase to be an ass and voice their objections anyway? Yes, as long as they can accept me being an ass right back at them. If they can't accept that then they can fuck off and don't come back until they pull their head out of their ass.I use both phrases interchangeably depending only on what decides to come out of my mouth at the time and when I get objections, very rarely at that, I'm an equal opportunity asshole in response.I love this Christmas Holiday season.

PC is a slippery term, but I disagree with your definition. If your meaning were correct then all commercial speech would be PC and applying PC to such speech would be utterly without meaning. I suspect that most people are completely satisfied with "Happy Holidays" type greetings.

I don't care what the weirdos are doing. From you personally, not so much.From the proverbial you (which you personally are probably not), I doubt it. I'm pretty sure I'd just tell them to fuck off I guess I didn't consider (the proverbial) us enemies.I thought this wasn't really a war...

Sure, and not to say that it's either way, but:If you're gathering demographic marketing data and making a commercial decision, then that's one thing.But if you're pandering to a national political agenda then that's another.Actually, though, I was talking about a personal level.Like how I ought to not wish the random passerby a "Merry Christmas" to avoid marginalizing other faiths or hurting their religious sensibilities.Christmas is a secular federal holiday; that's bullshit. Back to corporate policy: if I walk into my local Wal*Mart, and my local Bob the Greeter says "Season Greetings" instead of the regular "Merry Christmas" that I'm used to, and then I question him about it and he explains that it's Wal*Mart's national policy to replace "Merry Christmas" with "Season Greetings", because they're trying to avoid marginalizing other faiths or hurting their religious sensibilities, and I also believe that this is due to pandering to a national political agenda rather than from gathering demographic marketing data, then I would think that people could understand why I would consider that to be some PC bullshit.

Pff... I get paid not to show up to work for two days

Sorry, I also have both Th. and Fr. off.

That's why we qualify it with "politically", which suggest that we're talking about policy instead of just commercial interests. But the principle remains the same. Yes, commercial speech is the same as political speech; it's all about selling a product.What political correctness is not is what right-wing nuts think it is: expressing a belief in equality.

Sure. All commercial speech is political, so every term we use to attract people is PC. Sorry but I cannot find much use for your definition. I can agree with that. In fact, I'd set the level even lower. Expressing a belief that others should be treated with human dignity is what right-wing nuts label as PC.

About half of your statement about what the Walmart greeter does is actually about you. I agree that if you believe marginalizing other faiths is okay then you are going to label "Season Greetings" as PC. And you are going to do that without bothering to question the greeter.

Tanypteryx brought up a point that, now that I think about it, makes me wonder.How Christian is Santa Claus? Not St Nicholas, I am referring to the fat guy in red.Santa is definitely supernatural. Long life, owns flying critters, produces presents without economic resources, delivers presents to billions within one night.According to my admittedly very limited knowledge of the Bible, I think when is comes to supernatural beings, there is only Us and Them. God - Jesus - Holy Spirit Trinity and the supporting angels or Satan and his demons.Is Santa a free spirited angel? He doesn't start with "Fear Not" like the Biblical angels. Doesn't seem to refer to Jesus outside of "Merry Christmas."In asking for presents from Santa are we getting into the whole argument - Catholic praying to angels for intercession with God vs Protestant only pray to God? So Catholics can have Santa but not Protestants?On second thought, I'm getting into the whole ADULTS SUCKING THE FUN OUT KIDS' LIVES that ruin little league sports, etc.Favorite bumper sticker:Dyslexic Devil Worshipper - I sold my soul to Santa.

14174dm writes: Even Bob Dylan wrote a song "Sometimes Santa Comes Past Your Mantelpiece".

I may lose one customer but I can sell it elsewhere. Edited by ringo, : Fixed quote.