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Post by Jaga on Dec 10, 2005 12:50:58 GMT -7
There is a big debate in the US whether federal offices, schools should use the word "Christmas" since it can offend non-Christians. Is there a similar debate in Poland?
When I was in Poland it was pretty common to greet believer or non-believer with the words "Merry Christmas" but here in the USA I remember I greeted one professor with the words "merry Christmas" and he corrected me that he is Jewish which I knew but I still thought that Christmas is not necessary religious but it is celebrated but everybody since it is so much of the family feast.
How these things look like in EU countries where peopel are so... non-religious?
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Post by bescheid on Dec 10, 2005 13:05:46 GMT -7
Hi Jaga
I voted ,"merry Christmas". as the greeting for Christmas. As a person, I have no personal regards to those non-Christians for this holiday. For one thing, it is a religious occasion, and the occasion is in honour of Christ. It is for them (non-Christian) to enjoy what ever they will. For my self, well, it is still Christmas, always has been, and, always will be, Christmas.
If perchance, those with other intentions of degradation of this Holy time, well, I will only suppose it is back to the olden times of the Teutonic and our sword to the Romans, or in this case, the non-Christan's that would wish to change what was made, Christmas.
Hmmm, for got I did, this was for Europeans. Well, all you Europeans, remember well, the Teutonic tribes, and their swords and battle cries. Those Teutonic tribes have not left the world in death, only, stayed with civilization. Nothing has changed, only a name is all. for then, we rode into battle on double horse, means, two horses rode by two riders close together, and one warrior astride of both horses bearing a spear to thrust into the enemy. If there were no enemy, then who ever.
The Romans brought us Christianity, and as so, we accepted it and that is it. Nothing after that, exist.
So, you people fill the stockings of your loved ones, put forth the Christmas tree, and let your loved ones and Children come out on Christmas, and enjoy!!
Or, we the Teutonic, will come down in your dreams, and destroy you! For after all, you must sleep!
Charles
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Post by leslie on Dec 10, 2005 13:51:03 GMT -7
Jaga Merry Christmas. I voted for that and I agree with all you say. Christmas is now after 2005 years both a religious festival, so to Christians it has a religious meaning, and a social occasion - so to Christians and non-Christians alike we are in effect saying 'Just have a happy time'. In the UK, I can't say I have noticed any problems (up to now when you have raised it as becoming a culture problem to some parts of government) and 'Merry/Happy Christmas' is everywhere. I have some Muslim acquaintances and they accept 'Happy Christmas' and even reply in like vein. But I'm sorry Jaga, this is but one more thing that is turning me against America - need I say the word Kyoto! Here people are saying 'Why the **** should we watch what we put in the atmosphere - America is the biggest outpourer and they couldn't seem to care less (equally the Chinese)'. Does your government not believe scientific evidence and what is already happening {Alaska!!!). I heard your main negotiator speak at the Kyoto Conference this week and I was repulsed by the way he said things. Sorry for going on, but I have had a nerve touched! Leslie
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Post by leslie on Dec 10, 2005 13:53:34 GMT -7
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Dec 10, 2005 14:30:23 GMT -7
;D Jaga. I had to vote for the 1st one, although if we know that the person we are greeting is Jewish than "Happy Hannukah is an appropriate greeting. Both holidays celebrate God: Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ and Hannukah celebrates a miracle from God. Both customs have a celebration of light during what may be the dark nights of winter. "holidays" just does not cut it and this is only a lazy way of saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hannukah". For Atheists; they can always use a flashlight.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah! May the lights always burn bright.
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Post by bescheid on Dec 10, 2005 14:44:43 GMT -7
My Dear Leslie
If per chance you should find the need to travell so far through the unknown seas of the mist, past the vikings of the Raven then, to these shores.
What ever you drink, I will have the same, then after a glass or two of vodka, a whisky of your choice, a cognac of chance, then, who cares! We will be as of one mind...
Charles
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Post by rdywenur on Dec 10, 2005 14:50:26 GMT -7
I also agree with all the above and to be even more sensitve or politically correct if you know someone is Jewish then wish them Happy Hannukah. Otherwise it's Merry Christmas all the way. If I say Happy Holidays its to cover both New Year and Christmas together as they are only one week apart.
Leslie...I'm sorry you don't like us Americans so much. I only don't like horseface Camila and Prince Charlie. You are wrong to judge us all Americans by what our government is doing. We don't agree with them but then we don't have much of a choice in most matters. Its all politics, and greed and power in Washington that rules. The whole world is whacked. If I moved to the UK or anywehre else I would still be the same person. You are mixing politics and people.
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george
Cosmopolitan
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Post by george on Dec 10, 2005 15:08:52 GMT -7
I once accidently wished a Jew merry Christmas. He corrected in a way when he retorted back " Happy Holiday. I was a little embarresed . However lately this is starting to pee me off. The vast majority of people in this country is Christian and it is a national holiday. There, screw it....MERYY CHRISTMAS
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Post by rdywenur on Dec 10, 2005 15:15:51 GMT -7
George the very freedoms that made this a great nation are slowly killing it. Do not let the voices of so few dictate what we do. United we stand and stand strong!!!!
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Post by pieter on Dec 11, 2005 5:40:34 GMT -7
In Holland it is no problem to wish colleages, friends and family a happy christmas and a happy new year. Because I have Jewish friends and acquaintences in Holland I wish them happy new year (Rosh Hosana) and Hanukkah. Most christian and secular people have something with christmas. For moderate Muslims you know you can wish them a happy Sugarparty at the end of their Ramadan. In Holland that can be Turkish, Maroccan, Surinam (which has a Muslim community) a.o. colleages at your work or the Turkish bakers, vegetable and fruit shop you do part of your shopping. I don't know about Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Bagai, Zoratrist and others religions celebrations. But traditional christmas with my parents in Vlissingen with the special christmas mass in the Catholic church of Vlissingen (or sometimes Antwerp or Gent in Belgium) and christmas diner is precious to me.
Before I forget it I want to wish all members of the Polish Culture Forum a good Hanukkah and a Happy Christmas and and a Happy new year.
That 2006 may be prospurous, creative, warm (in the sense of the heart and soul) and succesful year for al of you!
Pieter
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Post by justjohn on Dec 11, 2005 6:02:00 GMT -7
Tomorrow I am booking a flight to Edmonds, Washington and I shall challenge Charles to a duel - he can choose the weapons as long as they are not harder than bananas! Leslie I will be there to officiate !!! Then I will dual you both since neither will be hurt. Once when I was a store clerk, I wished a customer a very Merry Christmas. This particular person didn't take the intent of the greeting to heart. Her response to me was I am not christian so don't say that to me. My response to her was Lady, you'll get over it !!!! Needles to say she didn't return to the store. Needless to say I didn't loose any sleep over this.
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Post by leslie on Dec 11, 2005 6:43:53 GMT -7
Rdyw.... I apologise if I have upset your (or in fact any of the forum members') feelings with my remarks about Americans. I realise it is an unjust thing to say - there are good Americans and bad Americans, in the same way that you find both and the spectrum in between in most countries (including the UK). I guess I am reacting most to the actions and attitudes of your government as seen from these shores. For example, I was aghast at the attitude of your chief representative at the Kyoto Conference. Also, if the reports are to be believed, the inaction and delayed action earlier this year of both the local and national government when the first bad hurricane of the year struck your South. The English people who eventually returned had some hard things to say on TV about what happened to them as a result of the apparent bad organisation. So, forgive me for generalising too much? Leslie
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Post by basia362003 on Dec 11, 2005 9:12:06 GMT -7
Remember there would be no Christmas if it were not for Christ's birth. The word Christmas comes from CHRIST MASS.
We have Jewish friends to whom we send Hanukkah cards.
So one should greet one another with respect and according to their beliefs.
Basia
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franek80
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From Sea To Shining Sea
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Post by franek80 on Dec 11, 2005 11:41:55 GMT -7
Good girl Barb.. You tell it as it really is.. WELCOME BACK
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Post by Jaga on Dec 11, 2005 13:51:18 GMT -7
I am not sure about this all issue. It hurts me though that in spite of the fact that America, just like Europe have Christmas roots - because of the political correctness and because of ine influx of foreign immigrants with different tradition, culture and religion now a person should not talk about Christmas sometimes not to hurt the feelings of others. What about muslim countries? In many cases they do not even allow people to practice their beliefs if they are not muslim?
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