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November 28, 2008

By Mark Smith

I did the below story 2 years ago and just wanted folks to be aware of their culture. Once again , it is not a crime to wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Chanukah, they fall on the same time this year.

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November 25, 2006

You don't have to say "Happy Holidays"

PHILADELPHIA - This past Thanksgiving, I heard three "Have a nice/happy holiday" greetings and so-longs, aside from the many, "Happy Thanksgivings!"

"What Holiday?", I asked. Two greeters answered, "Thanksgiving" and the other said, "Just... Holiday". "Excuse me, but is there any other holiday being celebrated today?", I asked (thinking it may have been another one). There should be no doubt about 'offending' anyone. I mean, if someone is offended by Thanksgiving - that person is probably from another country. When in Rome...

Conspicuously, Political Correctness (PC) has interfered with many peoples 'ability to verbalize mental thoughts' or speech, as we know it. And have had their true feelings and religious beliefs suppressed. There should be a law against the promotion of PC, as it interferes with free-speech.

With the upcoming major religious holidays, Diverse News wants its readers to not think that they are 'offending' anyone by professing their faith, whatever it is. One way to do this is to just switch things around (ethnically) and imagine how it would be portrayed in the media.

Political Correctness is not law or legal in any way. Can you remember who or what first came-out with PC? Answer: It was the mainstream media.

There should be no confusion about what holiday greeting to give unless they fall in the same time period. Remember, if your religion teaches you to 'spread the word' or 'profess your faith', this is your justification. Just reciprocate (show manners).

The 3 major Religious (monotheistic) Holidays and their respective greetings * = conflicting holidays

Advent or Second Advent* - December 3rd - 24th 2006 Merry Christmas! (I know) It is still considered proper

Chanukah* - December 16th - 23rd 2006. Happy Chanukah!

Christmas Eve - December 24th Merry Christmas!

Christmas - December 25 - January 6th 2007 (Epiphany) Merry Christmas!

Passover* - April 3rd - 10th Happy Passover!

Good Friday and Easter* - April 6th - 8th Happy Easter!

Ramadan - September 12th - October 11th 2007 Happy Ramadan! Have a Blessed Ramadan!

American Major Religious Populations: Christian: 78%; Jewish 1% and Muslim 1%.* Source: CIA World Fact Book

Courtesy: What PC does not teach

Let's say you are Christian or Muslim and you were walking down the street and some stranger said to you, "Happy Chanukah!". What would you say in response?

You can say, 1. "Happy Chanukah!" in return (proper) 2. "I'm not Jewish" Which may offend the stranger. 3. "Happy Holiday!" If you say this it would show ignorance since you know the stranger just offered his own heartfelt belief to you. It would show that you are not culturally aware and may have anti-Semitic feelings. 4. Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas!" This would be ideal if they fell within the same time frame and you were Christian. All Diverse News asks is that you switch the above to any other holiday greeting and try to handle it similarly. Just get that PC out of your head. Don't worry, you won't get arrested.

If you are a religious minority

With the majority of Americans being Christian, let's assume you are a religious minority in America, You will hear "Merry Christmas!" many times. Your correct response would be the same as if a Christian were a minority in another country. Say as a Christian, you were in Saudi Arabia and was greeted with, "Blessed Ramadan", what should your response be? Would you say, "I'm not Muslim?". No, you would reciprocate this friendly gesture with a similar greeting. The same as if you were in Israel and were greeted with "Happy Chanukah!". So, just recognize the greeter and wish them a Merry Christmas.

If you greet someone with your religious celebration and they become upset

If they say, "This is persecution!" or "I don't want to be 'bothered' by your religion" or "I'm not religious". Reply with, 'You should be more culturally aware and sensitive to others'. Remind them that it is [if it is] your belief and teachings - and 'spreading the word' or 'professing your faith' is your culture and that they should be more worldly in their views to respect others in this way along with their beliefs. If not, you may consider them a bigot.

Proper Etiquette: When you know what the other person's religion is

Ok, let's say you are at work and it's one of those years where Christmas and Chanukah fall in the same time frame. You know your fellow co-worker is Jewish and you are Christian, what do you say?

You would/should say, "Happy Chanukah, Joe!". Joe in response would/should say, "Thank you, Jim. And a Merry Christmas to you, too!"

When you see a group of bosses and it's a Chanukah (only) year but are not sure what one of their religions is and you are Jewish. What do you say? That's right, you say, "Happy Chanukah!" Why? Because every major organized religion teaches tolerance for other religions. Not only are you professing your faith but you are letting others know who you are and that it is a joyful time. This should not upset anyone unless they are bigoted towards your religion. Just switch the above scenario with any religion.

If everyone respects others in their beliefs this would be a much better world to live in.

Diversity...catch it!

Mark Smith,

Diverse News

A good website to visit and see all holidays is interfaithcalendar.org

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