Clearly the American Indians were captured and forced onto reservations by the Federal Government. That was not what I was addressing. I was speaking directly to your remark that "Christmas is the oldest practiced holiday in the US."

That is simply incorrect and sounds like something that would be spouted by a person who has not even a basic understanding of our nation's history.

However, if you have a local (meaning a regular pub) you can be invited to drink for free behind closed doors... or you have to drink at home with liquor bought in advance.

you don't have to be christian to say MERRY CHRISTMAS....

I have noticed it is ok for people on this site to strongly press their beliefs and cast a bad light on those they disagree with.....

Essentially....you are showing the prejudice you are so poorly attempting to accuse me of....

you are saying it is ok for you to have YOUR beliefs, but since I disagree with what you are saying, I now have people attempting to make me out to be racist....at the least.....you are showing nothing more then the fools you really are......

Miss HellKitten, I for one do respect and appreciate what you're saying. I'm not about getting in anyone's face over any aspects of this topic. I suppose I just feel that if it bothers someone by simply wishing them well, which is how I've been raised to view the term "Merry Christmas", it makes me feel like I have to not only refrain from greeting them at Christmas, but maybe I should refrain from any greeting at all. After all, maybe they have something against "take it easy" or "have a great day" or "happy birthday". I'm not asking anyone to respect or appreciate my religion or what I believe. I'm just basically trying to spread cheer and maybe get a little back in the process but after seeing how much it bothers some people in this thread, I'm thinking I should just be blank and restrain myself from any direct greetings of any kind.
I think, from what I've had the pleasure to see, that you're an awesome individual and I really hope I haven't offended you or anyone else. I think I'll think twice before I post in any of the serious threads from now on. Not worth it...

You can say Merry Christmas all you want. I don't see the big deal if someone replies with Happy Holidays, though.

Also, there's no reason to try and insult those who don't agree with you. It just makes you seem very immature.

You have to realize that there are many Americans who don't think or believe the same things as you. It doesn't make them any less American than you are.

I dont think anyone is going to bite your head off for saying "Merry Christmas" to them when you are a Christian yourself. I just chalk that up to people being insensitive and thinking everyone should believe as they do which Christians are quite typically known for.

However, in a public setting, absolutely "Happy Holidays" as that terminology is all inclusive and does not exclude one group in favor of another.

United States Congress did not declare Christmas an American holiday until June 26, 1870

If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch and not in the political or religious threads!

You mean in Ireland i assume? Not how I've seen americans do it here they drink green beer at the pubs..

Yes,,,I agree 100%....so continue to read all of the posts on this topic.....and then come talk to me about, "Also, there's no reason to try and insult those who don't agree with you. It just makes you seem very immature."

I had a jehova's witness get mad at me one day for saying God Bless you when he sneezed.. His daughter told me.. I don't know anything about their religion.. but never knew why...



**and yeah.. I'm not religious.. just say it out of habit cause I was raised that it's rude not to say it..

That is not the sentiment you began this thread with. Why else would we be clearing this up for you?

It serves me no purpose to argue over what I think and believe verses what you think and believe. And as far as running with dogs of any type goes...Yeah... I'll pass from now on...

op there is insulting and there is debating . all i seen was debating until you called people fools for not agreeing with you.

I was responding directly to your post when I said that. Not to other posts.

Yes in Ireland.

The basic understanding of the history is inconsequential.....it was not originally AMERICA, as we know it. History will tell you that in the beginning, ALL LAND was one big mass, called PANGEA....so, that is where the history of this, or any nation comes from....therefore, could not have been an AMERICAN TRADITION before it became AMERICA..
I am not currently concerned with what was BEFORE the topic I am speaking of.....

So...all of you who want to bring up Native American, (which culture I deeply respect), sorry about your wasted effort....

all's i know is merry xmas n happy new yr, i love all , and have a lil thing for button's.!!!

...and a WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!...**sorry**

interesting tidbit