Atheist Christmas Cards on Fox News

[pillowbugg]

Just one more issue faux news uses to place a wedge between peoples.

[TheLeardMan]

Christmas is just another Pagan holiday stolen by Christians.

[showbizjosh40]

Christmas is not Jesus birthday. It actually has pagan origins.

[JACEH123]

im an atheist, so im not complaining when a couple of religious people want to give me some time off and by me gifts.

[matthewtaylorbrown]

Happy holidays is for all of us, Merry Christmas is just for Christians. Yeah for marketing!

[SwineNahNah]

Luckely we are more or less free of this, as in my language X-mas is just Ziemassvētki ("ziema" winter + "svētki" fest, holydays), no matter if it's Christian, Pagan or Atheist.

[SwineNahNah]

Luckely we are more or less free of this, as in my language X-mas is just Ziemassvētki ("ziema" winter + "svētki" fest, holydays), no matter if it's Christian, Pagan or Atheist.

[SwineNahNah]

Luckely we are more or less free of this, as in my language X-mas is just Ziemassvētki ("ziema" winter + "svētki" fest, holydays), no matter if it's Christian, Pagan (solstice was celebrated long before Christianity) or Atheist.

[SwineNahNah]

Luckely we are more or less free of this, as in my language X-mas is just Ziemassvētki ("ziema" winter + "svētki" fest, holydays), no matter if it's Christian, Pagan (solstice was celebrated long before Christianity) or Atheist.

[shawnzeeee]

GOOD STUFF

I never buy cards that say "Merry Christmas" because I do not celebrate the birth of Christ. Not everyone in the world is Christian!

Happy holidays is more appropriate for my needs and it is more inclusive!

[devilspawn94]

christmis was origannly a pagenholiday were the pple gave gifts to each other

when rome became a catholic nation they changed it to christmas there excuse

was to make pple change there ways

[Tsiehtalol]

I'm atheist but I celebrate Christmas anyway because it's an excuse to not do anything for a day or more and I get more material goods (which defines social class in our capitalist society). This is really stupid. Back when I was Catholic, I assumed that "happy holidays" referred to Christmas and New Year's. Whatever. (And brotherbriann, semantic peskiness doesn't help. It's "silly." Which, by the way, originally meant "holy." In that respect, Christmas is "silly" for you. Yeah...)

[brotherbriann]

the idea of an atheist wanting "holiday" cards at all is ridiculous. Atheists by definition do not believe in God,, which is who makes things "holy" to begin with. That is what "holiday" means..... a "day" that is "holy". This whole debate is so hypocritical as to just be silly. If atheists want "holidays", then stop being atheist, a-holes. Otherwise, every day means the same to you, so shut the hell up already, and leave people of faith and their religious observances alone.

[nagaqueen13]

Hey brotherbriann - that's really good - so people are only religious so they can have holidays. I must remember that.

In case you hadn't noticed, atheists have friends, who may or may not be religious, and to celebrate a time of general goodwill (which is not even remotely christian, since most studies put Jesus' birth around March) it's nice to send out cards, just like for birthdays, Velentine's secretary day etc.

Althoug having said that, I do believe secretaries exist ;oP

[Harizl]

I've been Atheist since i was born and have celebrated Christmas every year.

Look at the xmas decorations he was pointing at: they have nothing to do with Christ or religion at all.

No one remembers the relgious parts as the fun parts of xmas, the secular xmas parts of togetherness, presents, santa, trees, etc are what 90% of people look forward to, Not some boring 2 hours in a church.

Grow up and sort through your belief's before proclaiming that Atheists don't like xmas cards bringing news.

[Yuri92001]

You don't have to believe in God to be religious! O.o...

(if you believe so you are offending a few million Bhuddists).

NOt only that but there ARE various holidays...various faiths...in fact nearly ALL major religions have holidays around Christmas! So WHY can an atheist not simply celebrate Yultide which does not require you to believe in not only the Christian god...but no CONCRETE definition of god in the first place? (Yultide was the origial holiday of around Dec. 25)

[catbuffalo]

@brotherbriann

i'm an atheist and well.... dammit i like receiving cards and gifts. Sometimes i even say merry christmas. Why use logic now?

[ananiasacts]

@brotherbriann, What's the big deal? Why do you care? Gosh, you people act just exactly like gang members that have been dissed. Get a shred of morality for goodness' sake!

[Iprfr2flopMyNutz]

@brotherbriann

this argument only denies atheists the right to call things like birthdays, 4th of july and the winter solstice (originally the end of december was a pagan holiday) "holidays." so we can call it something else, whatever.

or you could make the argument that all of these are religious in SOME way, in which case you should celebrate birthdays nine months before you actually do because that's when the child was created and endowed with a soul and all that.

[surfingky]

Yes the soltice was celebrated long before chistians adopted the practice by saying thats when christ was born.  All in all im very surprised with how actually fair and balanced this clip was much more than Fauxs usual.

[GorgeGeorg]

They're not really atheist 'christmas' cards but rather 'holiday' cards without the christ in them.

The winter solstice is a natural celebration of the end of one year and the start of another.

[Darkenedavo]

The card made me laugh.

[thinkwithyourownmind]

I am not Christian but don't see the point in saying "Happy Holidays". Although some prefer it & that's fine. But it doesn't change the fact we are still celebrating Christmas. Just as saying "CE" not "AD" ignores the fact we are still measuring from Jesus' birth. Even Richard Dawkins acknowledges that Christmas (in Britain at least) is so far removed from Christianity that there's no need to change the name. I personally must confess I don't "get" Christmas. What are we celebrating anyway?

[SlySniper]

You know what bugs me... FOX news.

[stenokhoria]

the reason to have atheist Christmas cards is simple, you first realize that there is a large number of atheist you also realize that they are human beings also with fillings. next you see that coming Christmas cards are one sided against the idea of even being atheist.

[JakeDayWilliams]

I love how the host forgets to mention how insane you must be to get offended by the phrase, "Happy Holidays."

Please just end your life if these are the things you get hung up over.

[holdenbane]

'fair and balanced debate' nice intro fox lmao. why from a religious stand point would you want to make sure the holiday was called christmas? it has nothing to do with christ (read your bible) and is traditionally a pagan holiday.

[rtnash420]

IF I am going to buy 30 Christmas cards for my co-workers, imma get happy holiday cards. That way It covers the Muslims and Jews that I work with too. Nothing wrong with that, good marketing. IF happy holiday cards sell then they will be produced, same goes for Merry Christmas. Sometimes it seems people forget capitalism keeps thing going as such.

[PrinceBishop3]

I hate FOX... The argument is about semantics, I couldn't care less about whether it's called Christmas, Yule or Saturnalia. I love this time of year. And I'll be thinking of my dearly departed and my family. Don't need religion to do that.

[raztis1]

im agnostic and i celebrate christmans, but to me christmas is a time to celebrate friends and family..not a 3000yr old childrens story..

[OrderofStAndrew]

Well, the birth of Christ is only about 2000 years old, not 3000 years old--and I'm sure many would disagree that it's a children's story. But still, I see your point: For many, Christmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends, regardless of faith.

[raztis1]

well i meant 3000yrs being the life of the bibles history, not birth of christ. but yeah, baiscally just saying christmas to me is just a time to celebrate family and friends, and give to others, with nothing to do with religion

[holdenbane]

@OrderofStAndrew it is a children's story.

[blockie44]

@OrderofStAndrew Exactly. Its not a children's story, but christmas is a holiday adapted from the pagans, not originally christian.

[amusiathread]

I can only speak for myself, but as an Atheist I was never offended when someone said "Merry Christmas", no more that I'd be insulted by someone saying "Happy Hanukka". While I don't share those sentiments, I do appreciate the gesture. Christmas has evolved so much, it's really what the individual makes of the holiday. The way most people celebrate Christma these dayss, it has very little to do with Christ.

[phatcartoon]

@amusiathread I agree, I'm an atheist, but to me at least. Christmas is a celebration with my family. Most of my family is spread through out the states and it's the one time of the year we all can get together with out the worry of busy work schedules. Multi-beliefs, but we are all family and it's nice when we all can be in one place together.

[caffingdu]

lol. at the end they said "thanks for the fair and balanced debate." was that supposed to be a debate? they didn't really debate anything.

[sinmantyx]

Those cards are hilarious!

I like "Happy Holidays" myself - it's just more inclusive. There is a large Muslim population in this area, so saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone just seems rude.

I write this as I eat the candy the Muslim Student Association put in my mailbox to celebrate Eid. :)

[OrderofStAndrew]

That's a good point, in that different communities within the US may be less Christian than others, thus affecting the choice between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." I'm not personally sure where Muslims fall, though--my experience is that most Jews and atheists aren't too bothered by "Merry Christmas" anymore.

--Andrew

[sinmantyx]

I don't think most are bothered by it, but I think it's just a little nicer to say "happy holidays" because it seems more like something everyone is experiencing in some fashion around this time.

Many of my friends are also pagan, so it wraps in Yule, Winter Solstice, and all that fun stuff as well.

[Back2BackJack]

Just as athiest shouldn't be offended by "God bless you" when you sneeze. It's not the specific religion you're referring to, but the thought that counts. I'm an athiest and I can't stand this war on religion during the holidays. Maybe because athiests feel left out, I'm not sure. Athiests should celebrate christmas because it's the best religious holiday. Exchange gifts, spend time with family and eat lots of food.

[justwannamakeluv]

So do Christians believe that Santa Clause is real since you can't prove he doesn't exist?

[OrderofStAndrew]

The real St. Nick lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries, just a short time removed from Jesus' own birth...so, technically, he *did* exist.

[Toudiyama]

@OrderofStAndrew In the Netherlands we have St Nicolar or Sinterklaas who was a bischop in Mira Turkey, however sinterklaas is said to live in Spain with a bunch of helpers called Black Pete(zwarte Piet) who used to be mores but now changed into white guys that turned black from the soot from the chimney they climb true

Sinterklaas and Julenissen mixed turned into Santaclaus

[cjaygrove]

I've always known that when people say Happy Holidays they are talking about Christmas,but I like Happy Holidays better just because thats the way I've always heard it. I don't know why it bother's these people so much, I think everyone is used to Happy Holidays anyways, and its not like you can't say Merry Christmas.

[Sydpart2]

The Christmas holiday has very little to do with Jesus. Trees-pagan symbol of the tree god. 25th of December already a pagan holiday before the church changed it to be Jesus' birthday to appease the pagan's of England way back when. So it's not a christian holiday, it's all family tradition and a seasonal feel we all experienced as kids and want our own to enjoy.

[FyFhFr25]

They should not called atheist christmas cards but Winter Solstice Cards.

And please print New Year cards separately. We don't wanna to say Wish you a merry christmas & a happy new year - just Happy New Year!

[Stealtheeee]

atheist CHRISTMAS cards are important.

your not gonna give a card to yourself

now atheists like me can send a card to our christian friends without being hypocritical.

[fatslags12345]

why is this such a big deal i dont belive in god alot of people dont i just dont see any proof that he is real can anyone convince me?

[HistoryBoy23]

also, i am not saying that Christ's birthday falls on December 25th, so don't make the assumption that i did. no one truly knows the date that Christ was born. December 25th is the date that was chosen to celebrate his birth upon.

[HistoryBoy23]

atheist christmas cards? that's kind of an oxymoron don't you think?? i don't see anyone trying to change ramadan into something it is not. i am sick of everyone trying to entirely suck christianity out of this nation. also, what i find funny is that obama, who says he is a christian, is not afraid to come out and speak of ramadan and the islamic religion but he is afraid to bring up Jesus Christ because he might offend someone. idk, it might be me but that seems a little bit off.

[OrderofStAndrew]

Yes, atheist Christmas cards are an oxymoron. However, there's a serious side to them: Since 15% of Americans are non-religious and 95% of Americans celebrate Christmas, that means that there are a lot of non-religious folks celebrating Christmas. Atheist Christmas cards are one way of including non-religious Americans in the "holiday season."

[alidi13]

Why is it SO important for non Christians to celebrate Christmas? I haven't heard a decent reason yet. I'm not Jewish, so I don't celebrate Hanukkah. I'm not Buddhist, so I don't celebrate Buddha Day. I don't take part in Ramadan. I'm a Christian, so I celebrate Christmas and Easter. I'm sorry, it's our holiday. You can freely create your own holiday, just make sure you have people to back you up. Still, don't try to make us change our holiday to make others happy.

[sinmantyx]

"Christmas" or YULE was a celebration in my culture of origin WELL before Christians showed up.

I suppose it's OK because we open presents on the 24th (not the morning of the 25th) because that's when Julenissen shows up.

:)

Christmas was actually BANNED by Cromwell because he thought holy days shouldn't be so gay. :) Maybe you should follow the traditions of the British and American Puritans and be miserable?

(PS: Easter is pagan too.)

[Topazeyesdazzleme]

@sinmantyx it a pagen holiday which is funny cuz xhristianity is against witchcraft. iy celebrates the winter solstice

[alidi13]

@ OrderorStAndrew

Why do Atheists want to celebrate our holiday SO MUCH?

[OrderofStAndrew]

There are so many secular elements to the modern-day American Christmas holiday season--from Santa to snowmen to holiday music--that can be enjoyed by all, regardless of faith.

Christmas has some of the catchiest tunes. It so wrong for atheists and agnostics to turn up the radio and sing along?

I would hope that this can be done without being disrespectful or taking Christ out of the holiday for the Christians who celebrate the holiday for religious reasons.

[alidi13]

1st- Christmas isn't an "American" holiday. It's celebrated by Christians of ALL nations.

2nd- Most of the Christmas songs/characters symbolize joy, giving, family, all of that good stuff (things for which Christ stood for).

3rd- You may sing along/do whatever you want during this season. Still, what do you do during other religons' holidays? I'm just curious.

[OrderofStAndrew]

Good points--I think Christmas is unique among religious holidays, and I don't celebrate any other religions' holidays personally.

I don't think that other religions' holidays have achieved the same level of ubiquity in pop culture as Christmas has. I think the fact that Christmas has become so popular and spread beyond its religious roots is a testament to the power of its central message of joy, giving, and family--i.e. all that good stuff that Christ stood for.

[alidi13]

@ OrderofStAndrew

Well, that's your beliefs. You spoke nicely and didn't bash like most people on Youtube are known for doing. Thank you for that.

[swordofisis]

Mabey we want to celebrate the festival of Jupiter and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti!

[NavarCrowbarr]

@OrderofStAndrew  Thank you. I am an atheist who celebrates with my Christian family. They often give me crap about it. But these cards have made it funnier and easier to do so.

[OrderofStAndrew]

Glad to hear that, @NavarCrowbarr. I'm also glad that you see the humor.

[McCuLlY95]

A respectable interview on Fox. finally i see one

[MoeThirteen]

Isn't the guy who's pro-Christmas basically saying Christians are suckers with huge wads of cash? Wouldn't that be kind of demeaning to Christians?

[OrderofStAndrew]

Greg was promoting a book on marketing to Christian consumers. I don't think he meant to imply that Christian consumers have any more or less cash than other consumers.

[MoeThirteen]

The amount of cash wasn't my main point wasn't my main point. My main point was that I perceived his view as "Placate the Christians and they will spend money at your store because they are suckers."

I may just be crazy though.

[baldurus1]

Faux did it again, fair an balanced my ass.

A fair and balanced reporter doesn't spout his own thoughts about the subject his presenting.

[southparkfan2717]

I don't give a shit what anybody says. Atheists shouldn't celebrate Christmas.

[WiwuX]

Well said! If you don't believe in its pagan traditions, you have no business celebrating Christmas.

[hbgoddard]

I'm an atheist, but I celebrate Christmas. I just love the spirit of the season, and I was raised to think that Christmas was about the spirit of giving, not Jesus's birthday, and I still think that.

Plus, why would I pass up an opportunity for free stuff?

[JustThink00]

If early christians said "hey those pagans are having a party. we should have one too so people don't ditch us for them." then that's a little lame, but it's not evil or pagan. They invented a completely new holiday based on jesus's birthday. that it was inspired by a pagan one means nothing.

[swordofisis]

lol! And christians shouldn't watch south park!

[MorphicStates]

Call christmas what it is? Ok I'll start calling it Saturnalia.

[LBTennis]

This seemed more like a clip from The Onion then a serious 24/7 news program

[sarahmhmyeah]

Yeah. I agree. I this was a joke, and I can't believe that it was real.

[sarahmhmyeah]

Yes, I totally agree. This was a huge joke, and I can't believe it was a real news segment.

[xalysta13]

I celebrate Christmas on April 1st, because it just seems more appropriate than the day Christians strategically selected to overwrite the so-called pagan holiday traditions.

[Raimakusa]

You sir, have won yourself one internet.

[OrderofStAndrew]

That's probably closer to the date of Jesus' Immaculate Conception (if you subscribe to his birth falling on December 25). So if life begins at conception, April 1st is the perfect day to celebrate His life.

[GetMeThere1]

Thanks Andrew, for doing your part in inserting as many possible "yawns" into Faux News' "War on the war on xmas."

It'll be xmas for everybody when Faux News goes off the air. On that day I'll buy 100 cards from you company and send them to all my friends!

[Glasya666]

"It bugs me when I go into a store and it says Happy Holidays".

I totally agree. Christmas is a Christian holiday. We should celebrate the birth of Christ by going to walmart and buying a bunch of cheap shit, like is says in the bible.

[theshadowify]

Fox news is never fair and balanced. They are just as bias as any other news station. It really bothers them when Atheist's get a voice. " why atheist christmas cards why bother", the real question is why does it bother him?

[ragnarok343]

I'm assuming the guy who started off by saying that this was going to be a "fair and balanced debate" is acting as the mediator for this debate. Why the hell did he chime in later and pick a side?

"It bugs me when I go into a store and it says happy holidays." How is this fair, balanced or even a debate?

[rockisdead1946]

Biased much?

[goodmanj]

if you want to celebrate "Christmas" be sure to take down your Lights and Tree and Wreath and all the other Yule decorations that celebrate winter solstice!

[djtrixen]

Stielsra flat out offends me with his reaction to the mention that Shaffer is an atheist (1:32). He gives this little smirk, tilts his head to one side and it's all he can do to keep from rolling his eyes. If I had been Shaffer, I would have stopped him right there and said, "hold up! what the fuck was that?! If I had just said I was Jewish or Muslim would you have reacted that way??" Anti-atheism is every bit as wrong as antisemitism or any other religious prejudice. NO DOUBLE STANDARD!!

[OrderofStAndrew]

I was on a remote feed and only had audio hook-up--not visual--so I wasn't able to see any smirks during the interview. I talked to Greg later, though, and he wasn't patronizing or prejudiced towards me. While anti-atheist prejudice is very real, sometimes a smirk is just a smirk.- Andrew

[wiccawonderwoman]

"Fair and balanced" didn't really come in anywhere when the host was agreeing with the Christian card-maker.

"Happy Holidays" isn't displacing Christmas... It's speaking to the entirety of the nation and not just the majority of our people. That's just such... ridiculous zealotry, to think that just because you don't use Christ's name in your cards, you're trying to put out their religion.

[Stealthkettle]

Christmas was far from a Christian idea; the Romans celebrated the Saturnalia, and generally speaking it's a universal festival around the world (Hanukah, Kwanzaa etc).

Why the hell should 'christians' claim a monopoly on celebrating the 25/26th?

[hutch976]

I love how openly they are raping the idea of Christmas.

Use Merry Christmas to make money, not because of the meaning of Christmas.

[rkil007]

If you think about it....could it get any more American than that?

[OrderofStAndrew]

Christmas is an official government holiday in the United States, so no, it can't get any more American.

[booberius]

Why does he keep saying "fair and balanced debate"?

It wasn't even a debate, it was 3 minutes of people agreeing with each other.

[OrderofStAndrew]

I think they wanted more disagreement--if they invite me back, I'll put up more of a fight.

[booberius]

I think you did the right thing, there just wasn't all that much to argue with! They didn't use the "Well, if you're atheist, why would you even want to celebrate anything" argument which I was expecting.

Nice, fairly painless and FREE advertising from your point of view, I'd say. Good work.

[gt6303c]

I think you played it perfectly, no need to give them something to demonize you. You should have tried to get them to show an example of your cards.

[Somai82]

why does doocey has to stress it was a 'fair and balanced' debate when they are trying to sell the whole channel as 'fair and balanced'

[DonW21G]

Because we all know the mission of Christmas is so the retailers can 'CASH IN' before the end of the year. The sheep continue to tow the line.

[seathanaich]

Wow, pointsettias. Those are ONLY Christian! So are turkeys! So is giving presents! So are pagan Germanic trees in the house with bells, balls and lights! So is Santa! So is shortbread! All of these things are Christian only! Dammit, if anyone uses any of these things, they can't POSSIBLY be an atheist!

[Munro1Man]

All these things are NOT christian. The christians stole the winter solstice from pagan traditions. Even the birthday of christ was stolen 300 years after his death. It was originally called Saturnalia and contained, 12 days, giving gifts, holy, trees, lights and santa. ALL Pagan. Do your homework as the only people ever to ban christmas were, you have guessed it TRUE christians who recognised it as a pagan idol worship festival.

[wiccawonderwoman]

Bravo XD

[OrderofStAndrew]

well, i think they were looking for more disagreement from me, so the Foxman was bored with me -- Andrew

[saxmachine123]

Where was the fair and balanced debate? They had a statement each, then the Foxman just talked to the "Merry Christmas" guy. Wow.

[kendrawhisp]

well this is a moronic thing to fight over. If the card peeps want to make money do both types of card. Problem solved. Can i get a job?

[OrderofStAndrew]

that's funny, i actually have cards that say both "merry christmas" and "happy holidays"...so everybody's happy! :)

[eksiarvamus]

I am from an atheist majority society and nearly everyone celebrates christmas here. People don't care if it was originally the birthdate of Jesus, it is just a nice time to give presents to people you care about. Seriously, christmas is not a holiday to fight against...

[hollyfromdallas]

So why couldn't the news anchor ask the people "out there in TV land" which of the two ("Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays"), if either, bothered them, and when did it start to bother them?

[flyingfisbeefilms]

This is pathetic! Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus or God. Xmas is based on a Pagan religion vis a vis the sun. Please grow up!

[johnjhuff]

Saturnlia!

[EnhancedNightmare]

Christmas is Christian feast day so there is no reason to change its name. Its just so widespread and awesome (presents yay) that everyone wants to be a part in it. Leave christmas to christians, Ramadan to muslims and Hanukkah to Jews. Why on earth would you change the name? Its still the same thing! A rose would be a rose without its name ! hehe

[111dogon555]

fair and balanced debate lol my ass

[biggregg5]

Didn't seem very fair and balanced to me. I can't see how anyone could object to saying happy holidays.

[Quidgo]

Its funny how they got the Christian to come in and have a sit down to chat, but they didnt want to be near the Athiest

[OrderofStAndrew]

To be fair, Fox would have invited me into the studio--but I was located in Iowa and couldn't schedule a flight out to their NY studio in time to make the program. -- Andrew

[Quidgo]

wait what? You're that guy?

ok fair enough then.

[OrderofStAndrew]

Yep, that be me.

[winterstellar]

slottsj Err..the scholars and scientists have actually found out that "Jesus" is just a fairy-tale, you know. In fact, he was never born. Isn't it great we have those scientists and researchers? I mean, without them we'd still be in the stone age worshipping invisible men in the skies..haha.: )

[Bigbird5553]

Why not just say "Merry christmas AND happy holidays" lol

[Sight099]

happy holidays encompasses christmas, no holiday deserves its own mention unless you're willing to mention them all.

[OrderofStAndrew]

That's a good point...would you say "Happy Birthdays" to all of your friends at the beginning of a particular month? Or congratulate each one of them individually?

[manchester26m]

"Happy Holiday" is actually more suitable. Christmas is quite a recent celebration intended to supplant Pagan celebrations at a time when Christians went from being a persecuted group to being the persecutors with official Imperial decree. About 500 AD by the way, but contrary to popular belief, it wasnt Constantine - It was one of his successors. These guys also edited the Bible and compiled the New Testament. Constantine though was the one who decided Jesus came from the same stuff as God.

[stottsj]

You can say whatever you want, but it doesn't change the day of Christ's Birth!

[Bigbird5553]

actually bible scholars do debate the day of christs's birth.

[ilikecakemorethanu]

jesus wasnt born in december the date was just adapted to accomodate the pagan winter festival called yule. . .also jesus wasnt white. . .throwin that out there

[OrderofStAndrew]

I think that the central issue isn't the actual date of Christ's birth, but that Christians wishing to celebrate his birth feel that a secular Christmas has co-opted their religious celebration.

[zlzgrom86]

i dont mind the word christmas, to me.. christmas is just a word for a holiday that is about family and friends.... not jesus or religion

[OrderofStAndrew]

That's actually what it means to me too: family and friends. It's an official holiday in the United States, like July 4th. It still retains its religious association with many Americans, though, and that's where the "war on Christmas" comes into play. -- Andrew

[janiecesenn]

I have always thought of Happy Holidays as a way of including all my friends in the holiday season as many different belief systems choose to celebrate something at the same time of year. I don't feel in any way that that sentiment excludes Christians. It simply includes non-Christians.

[wildreams]

Happy Holiday as an atheist statement o.o

I'm an atheist, but i think we shouldn't go to that extend, lol.

Whats wrong with merry christmas anyway, it sounds betetr, and fit the season, y not?

[WayinTruth]

Religious people get all upset because "free speech" goes against their beliefs. It's sad religious people are so intolerant when their doctrine preaches tolerance.

[Atheistjeremy]

I hope you're not talking about Christianity, because that religion teaches anything but tolerance :)

[cabron0703]

Treat others as you'd like them to treat you. If someone slaps you turn the other cheak hatred only begets more hatred. Love your friends but love your enemys as well and pray for them. That doesn't sound like tolerance to you? This is coming from an agnostic. I just don't pretend that the bible is this completely bad book filled with nothing good like most agnostic/atheist do. Lets end the bigotry.

[Atheistjeremy]

I'm sure you can find a few gems in the dunghill if you dig deep enough.

[metlahead6]

Dude did you hear that? "Fair and balanced",I didn't hear that for too long...

[jhakana]

thats too funny not to comment, people are offended by happy holidays cause Atheist started to use it? did I miss something? merry festivus everybody, love and laugh!

[Atheistjeremy]

It's funny that Christians believe that they own the month of December. They don't seem to realize that Christmas isn't the only holiday celebrated.

[domrio]

And that Christmas is hijacked from lots of other Pagan ritual that preceded it.

[stottsj]

The Christmas tree is from Pagan rituals not Christmas...silly......

[mjr256]

I wonder if it'd bug him if store clerk always said, "Happy Chanukkah" to him. If the answer is yes, then he's refuted his own argument.

[ImSquidge]

lol .

[kinglybotman]

have a merry christmas

[plimbuff]

Thanks.

Happy Holidays to you too.

[miksedene]

I really love the fact that the anchor actually said 'fair and balanced debate' while blatantly swinging in favour of the Christian. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by Fox News though.

[CardenSaraid]

Andrew, you need to write a book now. :)

[OrderofStAndrew]

Thanks for the comment, dante201.

You're correct--the "niche" market that the cards are meant for (secular folk that celebrate Christmas) isn't the same market that most retailers think about, especially around the holidays. There are a lot of people that fall into that gap (77% Christian and 96% who celebrate Xmas).

There's no debate that Christmas is a federal holiday in the US celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ...but the symbolism is almost entirely pagan or commercial now.

[dante201]

It's unfortunate that Andrew really only had one question.

Aside from the fact that Andrew clearly is targeting a niche market. But, the commentator also points to "things like this" (pointing to a poinsettia) as a Christian symbol. True, most people associate these things with "Christmas", but how many symbols are either pagan (trees) or purely commercial or fictional (Santa, reindeer)?

The secular gap in my mind is the difference between 77% Christian and 96% who celebrate the season.

[grandconjunct]

I have noticed the term "happy holidays" increases in proximity to Christmas day and decreases afterward if not totally stops, I think we all know they are referring to the big Jesus Holiday, but some companies will not allow them to use the term Christmas, so I like to ask the question above to find out how much pressure the company has put on them, and put a little pressure back on the company, if enough people ask this question back, the company will need a policy to answer this question.

[OrderofStAndrew]

Well...the poor folk manning the cash registers are just following orders--they probably don't get paid enough to handle theological inquiries. In order to change a policy, you might want to write a (polite) letter to that company's corporate headquarters.

[grandconjunct]

When a cashier says "Happy Holidays" to me, I simply Smile and reply "which Holiday is that?"

then I watch the bead of sweat roll down their forehead as they try to figure out how to answer my question.

[OrderofStAndrew]

I've often wondered the same thing, actually...I think it's meant to be Christmas and New Year's, although it could also include Thanksgiving, Boxing Day, and any number of other "holidays."

[Lasko0o0o0o]

Bead of sweat? You're kidding right?

Happy Holidays = Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Hanukkah, etc... The Holiday Season!!

It's clear and simple, it's not a debate.

The next time you ask "which holiday is that" and walk away thinking you are clever and smart, think of this post as a reminder that these people actually think you are an idiot.

Are you related to Sarah Palin's by any chance? lol

[OrderofStAndrew]

Yes, we're just kidding around, Lasko0o0o0o. Sarcasm doesn't always come through in the written realm as it does in speech.

I don't think that anyone truly frets that much over what specific holidays are implied by the phrase "happy holidays," at least to the point of *literally* sweating.

[Lasko0o0o0o]

Ok thanks for clarifying and sorry for misinterpreting your sarcasm :)