[tamiloo]

Politically Correctness...Happy Holidays....

I will be making a conscious effort to wish everyone

a Merry Christmas this year ....

My way of saying that I am celebrating

The birth Of Jesus Christ.

So I am asking my buddies,

if you agree with me,

to please do the same.

Maybe we can prevent one more

American tradition from being lost in the sea of

"Political Correctness".

To those of other faiths I wish you peace and happiness for you and all those you love!

[Chemar]

Hi tamiloo
as a Christian I am blessed to wish you Merry Christmas

however......
"Happy Holidays" is not just a "politically correct" greeting but one that respectfully acknowledges the other faiths and cultures who celebrate at this time of year, but for reasons different that we as Christians do.

Those of Jewish faith begin the observance of Hannukah tomorrow, while those with African roots celebrate Kwanza at this time of year and many also celebrate Yule etc

We have members of all faiths and cultures here, and so we wish ALL "Happy Holidays"

[Lara]

Great point, tamiloo and I respect your beliefs, however, I think "Happy Holidays" is written out of respect rather than "political correctness".

When I give out my cards to friends and neighbours I usually give them a card which says what I hope for their holiday season no matter what they believe and that's usually a Peace card or maybe an Aussie type tradition with santa flying though the air on his sleigh with his snow-white boomers.

I would be a hypocrite to do other wise.

You have a wonderful day there. I'm not trying to be snarky if it comes across that way, I'm just trying to say how I see it as a non-christian. There are people from many different places and beliefs and I think it must be just as important that they follow their traditions even though we tend to forget them A LOT.

p.s. that's such a beautiful graphic.

[Lara]

OH, Thankyou Chemar. We wrote almost at the same time.

You wrote it more eloquently than I.

[tamiloo]

I didn't mean it that way. I was in the business world at one time and we taught our employees to say Happy Holidays...Because of the diverse surroundings we worked in. Olhipie when I told him this he thought it was stupid...we had a good heated discussion about it.

I do not want this to become a heated debate here on the board...I just wasn't thinking...blame it on the drugs. I am so sorry...

To those that I have offended by this post I am so sorry...I want to wish everyone happiness and peace this week and all their weeks after....

[Lara]

Dear tamiloo,
You certainly didn't offend me and nothing in my response was meant in a heated way.

I was just adding in my perspective. Just my point of view was all.

as I often say... no worries.

[tamiloo]

Thank you so much Chemar and Lara...I would never do anything to hurt my NT family...you all have dragged me out of some pretty deep pits at times and Ilove you all for that!!!

Ok, I need to stop crying or I'll make something short out...Olhipie is wondering what is wrong...he is too good to me!

[Chemar]

((((((((((((Tamiloo))))))))))))))))
you are one of the most caring members here at NT so we sure all know you would never intentionally offend anyone

now
speaking of political correctness.....is my banner sufficiently PC or what

[who moi]

hey tammi,

there is nothing wrong in wishing people a "Merry X-mas" it IS Christmas, the holiday IS called Christmas. That's what it is...

the problem is none of us wear what we believe in on our faces or our sleeves or pocket protectors...

I am not a Christian nor anything, really..but I don't get offended if people would wish me a Merry Christmas.

I think it is OK...and if they say that they don't believe in Christmas, then you can say, oh, happy holidays..

however, to be on the safe side, Happy Holidays is probably a "safer" way to go these days...

I can see Chemar and Lara's POV as well

I believe everyone has a right to what they believe in as long as we respect everyone's beliefs..and I think Lara and Cheri said theirs very well and respectfully.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

this is my take on this....as I've had discussions with my friends from all sides...

there are always the extreme few that makes the loudest noises for people....

most of us really will smile and just say, "thank you"

I think there are "pushy" people that started one way and then it offended others and then the "pushy" others then pushes back and then it becomes a "religious" war....

that is why we have so much trouble in the middle east because they don't want to back down and get offended this way or that way...

we all have a right to what we believe in as long as we don't push it on others...

I personally don't believe in saying "merry christmas" to someone with all sincerety should be taken offensively...

it is just some folks would use this very phrase then decide to give another person a lecture or how they should "convert" that started this whole religious war...

I personally thank you for wishing us a merry christmas...it IS the christmas holidays that got started (and as a kid, I was ever so grateful so I could be outta school, LOL)

then I was very happy to see other holidays such as Kwanza and the Channukah are being recognized...

and I wish everyone else a "Happy Holidays"

Peace and love to all...

moi

[who moi]

one more thing....

whenever I have fun open discussions with my different friends from various beliefs....

there is always this common theme...

they are so excited about what they believe in that they simply want to share that "love"

that some calls it "God" the others call it "Nirvana" and lots of other times, it is described as "spirit"

it is something special and I have felt that on my own experience unfortunatelly not through any religious means...

I think this may be where communications and over zealousy might come into play...

some of us are just so excited to have discovered this "love" that is SO powerful that we simply want to share it with others...

and others may not be of the frame of mind to accept it and then it becomes one misunderstanding leading to another

(I am taking the really really in your face people out of this equation because I DO believe there ARE people that uses religion/spirituality for their personal gains, but forget about those low lifes...)

but what I have seen is that people simply want to share that love...

that unconditional love...

and we all simply want to share that, is all....

you, tammi, plays a part of that....you are spreading the love that you felt in your heart....

and Cheri and Lara are sharing the love they feel in their hearts...

and many others that come here to this them here forum that spread that love around....whatever they believe in or not believe in...

and whatever that love is, be it Christians, Muslims, Judaism, Buddhism, Daoism, Janism, and even Atheism (Not all Atheist are created equal. )

that love is what binds us all....

OK, shutting my mouthiness off....

and sending ((((BIG HUGS)))) to all...