DarkAztek

That's retarded. Schools should be able to give whenever they want off. It's the superintendent's job.

Way to not read and what I said about Hannukah. And children who celebrate those holidays ALREADY don't show up to school because they're in temple but that's not the point. Why not do the same thing with Easter? Oh right, because you think that it is "the norm," right?

And? If they want to sell menorahs as that, then they have all the right in the world to do so. Then already take rosaries and turn them into sexual devices. It's capitalism and so long as they don't lie about what they are selling or use child labor or have a complete monopoloy on a major requirement, then what's the problem? Oh right. There isn't.

If it was just some store front or perhaps a major park or along a major road through the town? I've got no problem. I might ask the town to spend its money on some other stuff instead (both religious and non), but that's a totally different story.

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Lightspeedlady

[QUOTE=DarkAztek;1340716]

No, what would be retarded would be giving total holiday control to the PC, under- qualified, striking, over- cautious, advantage taking educators that run schools these days. I know I'm generalising but that's how it is with a lot of schools. Don't try and pretend it's not.

Unless I'm mistaken (and I may well be) Easter also falls on a midterm break or term break. It's not what I consider "the norm" as you put it, but rather a system that the government has in place. If you don't that, go camp Congress or something. I certainly can't change it.


Impressive sense of morality there. Unfortunately, apathy isn't healthy in a democracy... or any other type of state. It's actually pretty impressive that the kind of BS you just mentioned is accepted at all when a simple thing such as caricaturising Mohammed in Denmark can make a man live in fear of his life because some fundamentalist Muslims were offended. We're living in a world of polar extremities: Tolerant apathetics versus violent extremists. Not much of a fair fight.

Personal choice, fine by me. For the record, I'm not a very religious person myself. But I do feel that each major Religion is deserving of some special treatment on its Holy days if they are a significant proportion of the population. I guess, at a glance, that would be Jews, Christians and Muslims in places like America, the UK and to a lesser extent, Ireland. I'm just thankful that many festivals fall around Christmas time so a lot of problems are avoided.

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DarkAztek

He already HAS control over what holidays people get off and for how long. That's MY POINT. A Super can decide to give off Rosh Hashana or not.

You are mistaken. There's spring break and then there is Easter break. If a school wants to combine the two, then that's their perogative, right? Well what about other religious events?

You're also mistaken that the government set it up. They haven't set up shit. Public schools can start and end at any time that the town council and the Super decide.

Exactly how is it apathetic to stand up for my beliefs? I'm talking capitalism, one of the basic ideas behind American democracy. If I make a product and there are people willing to pay me for it and nothing illegal occurs, who is hurt in the process? Weren't you the one just telling people to buck up over being told "Merry Christmas" even if they're not Christian?

If I want to sell shirts that have religious blasphemy on them, I can do so. Don't like it? Nerts to you. "Go camp Congress or something." You're the one that is arguing for religious tolerance and yet you say "OH we can't do this" and "We can't do that."

The flip side to this decision is that people CAN get offended. That's their right. It's NOT their right to harm or threaten people over it though. So... Good for you on not really making a point. I'll try and be more clear with my argument in the future.

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Aruko

My opinion: Say whatever the hell you want to for Pete's sake! You have every right to say whatever you want to. There is NOTHING in the constitution that says I can't offend my neighbor. Therefore if my neighbor is offended by me saying Merry Christmas, then they can go piss up a rope for all I care. It's a simple phrase that has been said for quite some time now. It's all about being politically correct. Fucking bullshit if you ask me.

As to the X-mas thing: I didn't read many of the responses but from my understanding that grew out of an old Greek or Latin word, I believe. The letter or symbol X stood for Christ. Maybe a folktale, but that's what I remember about it. Probably wrong.

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RNB

I don't think it matters whether X-mas is bad or not.

BTW just a note. How come people get mad when religious holidays, that they don't agree with, are mentioned, but when someone mentions a cultural holiday, that may be offensive, is mentioned nobody does a thing about it?

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Greendayfan82905

[QUOTE=Lightspeedlady;1340771]My school gets spring break which includes easter, but our winter breaks don't inclue the jewish holidays. They just include the Christian holiday, Christmas. A jewish kid can't ever win perfect attendance at my school because they are out 1 day a year on Hannukah! It's stupid!

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RNB

[QUOTE=Greendayfan82905;1341387]Because perfect attendance is the number 1 goal in life...

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Greendayfan82905

[QUOTE=Redneckboy;1341394]I didn't say it was the number 1 goal in life.

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UchihaTaijiya

Funny, I just say whatever happens to come out of my mouth. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, Merry Holidays... o.o Fuck!Yes (its the) New Year...

I've never gotten offended over something like this. A person wishing you a Happy/Merry whatever is just wishing for your well-being. No harm in that.

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Lightspeedlady

Then I fail to see the problem.
I just want to make it clear, however, that I am not American, so you shouldn't just assume that I know what powers your superintendent has.

In this country, the two are usually combined.

Again, there is no reason why I should know that.

I was referring to your dismissive statements. Not your point of view as a whole. The people ' hurt in the process' are the few who would be offended by have something sacred be derogated. Personally, I don't find those things too offensive. Not right, but I am not personally offended.
And that's right, if a person is told "Merry Christmas" they could just say "thanks" and move on. Nothing TO buck up about was actually the point.

Right. Seems like you need me to spell this out for you.
- My argument if for having a bit more respect for religious holidays. They're commercialised enough as it is, no need to give them more stick. I don't see anyone trying to make a quick buck out of Ramadan.
- I only said I don't like it when people use "X- mas" instead of Christmas. Not really because it's disrespectful but because they're usually the leftie idiots who think is sounds more "fair" or "equal" or some other bullshit.
- If you want to say Happy Holidays, go ahead. It's a nice sentiment. Just don't get your panties in a righteous twist if you're told Merry Christmas and you're not Christian.
- I don't care if you want to sell blasphemous shirts. I really, really don't. I cannot stress how little I care.

Don't worry, I wouldn't want you to put yourself out.

Well put, thank you.

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killer_spoon

Ha ha ha You should be able to say what ever the hell you want about your holidays without people getting pissy. Like I'm Not jewish but sometimes I say happy honikah (dunno how to spell it) To my friends and they arent jewish either. hahahaa.

DarkAztek

Oh this is gunna be fun.

The point is that they DON'T give those times off. Why should we give a break for one religious holiday and not another? Yeah, it's the school's problem. HENCE why people are getting pissed. That is one part of this whole debate.

And if you want to debate a subject that has to do with America and you make erroneous points because you didn't take the 10 seconds it takes to research and know what you're talking about, then you probably shouldn't post.

Nobody is making a quick buck out of Ramadan in the US... Yet. Give it time. S'probably because of the anti-Islamic sentiment of the United States. (Hell, even Fox Noise uses it as a slur against Democrat candidates.)

...Lemme get this straight: You're pissed at people saying X-Mas instead of Christmas because you hate the people who do it? Good reason. I mean, it's not like they're doing it for a reason. "Oh my GAAWWD! People have different political beliefs than me!?"

If someone says "Merry Christmas" to me repeatedly when they KNOW I'm Jewish, then I'm going to say something. Believe it or not, it's just as frustrating as walking up to a Christian and telling them L'Shanah Tovah all day on Rosh Hashana. It's annoying. There's only so long that one can smile it off around the office.

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Inuzuka_Riyo

Yes, I also agree with the sentiment that people should say "happy holidays," just for precautionary reasons - no need to risk offending someone to say otherwise, even if it is purely accidental. If someone forgets your religion and say "merry christmas", that's one thing, but to do it out of spite, it's just not plain nice (and trust me, i've known people who offend others just because they can).
But it's just sometimes safer - you never know if that 1 in a million fanatic for any religion will say anything, or g-d forbid, pull out a gun on you (i had that happen to a friend of mine one time, but the guy was drunk, so it was more likely that than anything).

as for your comments, i pretty much agree with them -

A - I agree with keeping some religion in schools. After being in a private jewish school for many years where everything (except science and math) related to religion. i finally got out and went to a public high school, but i found that certain classes - history and english, mostly - can be more easily understood if you are knowledgeable in the religion that is behind it. Remember, many historical events and great authors were influenced by religion. Just think of C.S. Lewis, or the Crusades - history sometimes IS religion. I really do not feel like getting into the science vs. religion debate - too cumbersome, and i KNOW it will just cause a tangent that is not needed here.

B - Yeah, Hannukah really is unimportant - everyone only knows is as "the holiday with 8 days of gifts" - totally commercialized nowadays. However, i know this year, it starts the 5th, waaay before christmas is, so no, not every year do you get the holiday off (not that it's completely necessary being one of the lesser holidays). People just have to remeber that there is no separation w/state and religion, if there was, people wouldn't get days off for it.

However, I was lucky to live in an area, where because I lived in an area of high Jewish concentration, we did get the major holidays off (well, one day, you get the 2nd day off if you had a note from your parents). Hell, one of my physics teachers was orthodox, and said he was taking the whole holiday off - the administration didn't have a problem with it.

Although, we also got other non-religious holidays off too - Pulaski Day, for instance >_>

C - i'm gonna make this short and sweet - since when is ANY holiday not about the money; they're all halmark holidays...


Basically, any holiday that is celebrated in the "winter" (winter solstice technicalities aside) is supposed to be about family gatherings/being thankful/celebrating your relgion/etc. which is what (i assume) people do - it's about reflection, appreciation, and just being with those who you feel are important in your life, and celebrate what you have. Whether or not people say x-mas instead of christmas, merry christmas or happy holidays, people are just trying to be friendly and spreading "holiday cheer." You can't blame someone for being naive enough to believe whoever they meet is also of the same faith, but then again, when have we (as americans) been thoughtful enough to think before we speak, honestly. So yes, it is offensive to say something contrary to your religion, but if they don't know you, how would they know your religion? and as for commericalization, that's all it is. You think anyone who makes banners in stores are trying to be courteous? no, they want to make money - and the easiest way to do so during the holidays is to appeal to the masses. and face it, the masses in this country ARE christian.

On a happy note - happy (very early) holidays XP

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brandoi

To me it always seemed as a religious thing. Christmas is celebrated by those who are Christians and just regular people, but Christians think of Christmas as more than just a celebration, when Jesus was born. Happy Holidays is just for regulars I guess. To me it doesn't make much of a difference.

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killer_spoon

Hmm idk Merry christmas too all
Happy holidays