there are legends on this. Depends on what an individual believes.

Several use it for decorations and not religiously.

As I have posted before....I'm Christian but I don't celebrate the holidays as a religious holiday due to my own personal beliefs

But I won't tell others they are wrong or that I'm offended and they need to remove it either.

People can celebrate however they wish - but is it necessary to plaster icons and create elaborate displays and force everyone to listen to Christian beliefs in the music that is piped endlessly throughout the grocery store?

Can't the public domain be NEUTRAL? If a person feel so compelled to wish me well, can it not come from inside instead in the name of their god?

May the risen Mithra bless you in the dark of midwinter

Happy holidays assumes that everyone celebrates some holiday. I really don't think Jehovah Witnesses do, though I may be wrong, and while I may join some friends or family in a gathering, it's not a holiday to me, it's a get together and I don't need a holiday for that.

Some people might think it IS necessary. That is their belief. Why should stores and business remain neutral if they don't want to? That is their right



As several have posted in here, it's not always about religion. Bored and Sing aren't Christian but they celebrate Christmas. That is their right and I wouldn't dream of telling them they can't. If I am offended by them doing this (which I'm not) then that is on me, not them.



I'm not Pagan, but I don't find this offensive (whether that is your goal or not) I take this as a well wish and I would say same to you.

This season isn't just about Christmas. The OP happened to be about a Christmas tree, but there are several holidays during this season.

Everyone should be allowed to celebrate as they see fit without other's trying to tell them what to do

As a Christian, I do celebrate Christmas as a joyful occasion to be thankful for and in awe of the birth of my Savior.

I care not about whether he was born in December, March, or on the fourth of July.

No one can influence or intimidate me about that conviction.

A Christmas tree is just a tree (or facsimile thereof) that represents nothing more than a traditional decoration. I personally feel that some are beautiful like art, others are kind'a cheesy, but they don't have anything to do with the reason for the season.

I'm not running for political office so I don't care a nit about being politically correct.

If I wish you a "merry Christmas", it's meant as a wish that you be happy and blessed.

If it makes you happy to take offense, I suppose that offense is a blessing to you in spite of yourself.

If it makes you happy to return that genuinely positive sentiment with one by your own positive convictions, fine, thank you :)

Any negative response to my sincere wish for your spiritual well being says more about you than it does about me.

If businesses bestow the traditional season's greeting of "merry Christmas", fine by me... If not, fine by me... If they want to wish me a non Christian salutation, fine by me...

I fully understand that they're out for their bottom line and not sincerely interested in whether or not the holidays are merry for me, beyond what they stand to gain from me monetarily.



So Merry Christmas, happy New Year, and good tidings to all...

Those saying Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah are assuming people celebrate a specific holiday. Anyway, no matter what you say, someone will get offended. Those who are getting offended by these things are looking for something to be offended by, it seems.

I know me and Sing don't always agree (on religion or politics) but I'm glad we can agree on this.

As far as Navygirl ignoring well wishes, that's fine. I may not agree with it, but I can respect it because she is taking personal accountability for herself. We can can only be accountable for ourselves.

I think there's confusion in this thread. The OP is about displays IN PUBLIC PLACES. How people choose to celebrate or commemorate some special day is not the problem. It's bringing that celebration into every public sector that creates the problem.

Quite honestly, at least in my opinion, I think the whole Christmas holiday is offensive in SO many ways, most of which have nothing to do with religion at all.

In fact, I've spend MANY years trying to figue out why Christians don't take offense at how their beleifs have been used as manipulative marketing tool to further mass consumerism.

Unfortunately, I think I have come to some realizations that explain the complicit attitudes of so many Christians to accept that kind of manipulation. Those realizations are the reasons why the religious aspect of the 'Chrismas season' is so offensive to me. But I will refrain from that discussion in this thread.

No confusion on my part. It may be a public place but it's not government owned. They have a right to decorate as they wish.



And that is your right. I wouldn't try to tell you how to think or feel.



It is individuals beliefs. That is on them to decide. Not everyone sees it the same way. Again, not all Christians are alike.



Again, that is your belief. We should allow others their own beliefs. Not everyone sees things the same way and I don't think it's right to tell others what to believe. That is my opinion. If others think differently, then that is their beliefs.

I can only speak for myself and how I feel. I think we should show more tolerance to those that believe the same or different beliefs.

So what is the difference called when a complicit minority accommodates the majority? You don't really think that's good will, do you? Or perhaps you thing that's tolerance?

In a majority situation, who do you think has the responsibility of being more tolerant?

So if I say I'm offended with some trying to tell me how to celebrate, then those people should have to stop, right?

Wrong....they have the right to their opinions but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up my belief.

Respect goes both ways (I believe someone already said this)

It's a Christian holiday. If Christians didn't celebrate it, it would not exist. Hense - Christians are the ones responsible for it's continuence. I did not say ALL Christians, but when it comes to Christmas it is ONLY a Christian celebration that stems from a Christian beleif. To say Christians implyies multiples not ALL.

actually it doesn't. Saying Christian is a general statement.

There are many no Christians that celebrate Christmas. It has been posted many times in this topic alone.

Not all Christians celebrate it in a religious sense. Many non Christians celebrate it as well....just not in the religious sense.

So if someone wishes me a Blessed Yule, I should be offended? It can't be just against one belief when others do it as well.

Seems many are focusing on Christmas is the only holidays at this time when there are many holidays.....whether celebrated for fun or in a religious sense.

Well there you go, what better system of indoctrination could there possibly be for children, than a religuosly themed mass marketing scheme that is directed toward lots of goodies for good little girls and boys?

I agree with yellow, if others have an issue with well wishes, its their problem



there are times when pc goes too far,

i'm offended that this bird crapped on my car....

me too.....we must get rid of the birds

i'll start a billboard...

So people don't have the right to celebrate except in private?
If someone is offended then that is their problem.

Again...what if I'm offended that others won't let people celebrate as they see fit? Wouldn't that mean (according to the argument) that those people should have to stop?

Someone will always be offended. Should we stop saying Good Morning because someone may or may not be a morning person?

Should people stop saying How are you today because that is violating someone's privacy?

Why is only one belief being targeted? There are many different holiday celebrations. Christians aren't the only ones buying gifts

Why not blame the stores???? They are the ones capitalizing one it.

My family spends more money on things like Toys for Tots and the Angel Tree than on our own family.

If a family can afford to spend on tons of toys for their kids....then so what? That is their choice. Not everyone does this though.