[HarryPotter]

well, I just can't be quiet about this anymore. No offense to any non-Christians out there, but I really feel I am now being discriminated against because of my Christian beliefs. I feel so sad that the birth of Christ is taken out of Christmas, I feel so sad that even the mention of God is being debated and left out of schools. I don't know anything I could do about it, but just want to let u guys know....What is happening??? What can we do??? No more prayers at school...taking Under God out of our Pledge of Alliegence and maybe out of the Constitution. Stores not saying Merry Christmas, but instead Happy Holidays. Help!

[ktwlpn]

Well-you CAN try to look at it from another view-look at how non-Christians have been "discriminated" against for many,many years by having these religious rituals and symbols shoved down their throats...How many Jews,Muslims,Jehovah Witness,etc are offended on a daily basis? Think about that when you wish someone a "Merry Christmas" Saying that to a Jew is kind of like asking a fat woman when her baby is due...You can pray all you wish and display as many religous symbols as you like on your own property-why is that not enough? can you HONESTLY not see why those things don't belong in a public school or a government building? We are all supposed to be treated as equals by these systems-no matter what religion we may be....It's not that the "birth of Christ " has been removed from Christmas for everyone----everyone just does not subscribe to that....Can't we respect each other's differences? Nothing wrong with wishing someone a "happy holiday" I have been doing that for a few years.....That is INCLUSIVE-I like it .......The new "Christian moral majority" seems to be very EXCLUSIVE....either you fit exactly in that little slot or forget it....I don't like THAT

[begalli]

Both points of view, well stated.

Will this thread end here.....

[angelymick]

I understand both points of views. I have a problem though when our local public schools cut out the christmas/holidays songs, but will allow the chanakah songs. If you do it for one, you have to do it for all...

[RS0302]

I believe in the Christian God and Jesus, but I dont know if I would call myself a Christian. I know what christmas is all about, and never overlook that its not just about santa and presents. Christ is not being taken out of christmas, if that is how you celebrate at your home. Sorry but I dont want my kids going to school and being subjected to organized prayer, and I'm not Jewish, Muslim, etc, I can only imagine how they feel about it. If my kids want, they can pray anytime they like, it doesnt have to be organized at school. What is so wrong about saying happy holidays? It includes everyone. Saying Merry Christmas is discriminating, happy holidays, is not. If stores said Happy Hanakkuh, I'm sure christians would be saying something differently.....

[robsta]

Originally Posted by HarryPotter

well, I just can't be quiet about this anymore. No offense to any non-Christians out there, but I really feel I am now being discriminated against because of my Christian beliefs. I feel so sad that the birth of Christ is taken out of Christmas, I feel so sad that even the mention of God is being debated and left out of schools. I don't know anything I could do about it, but just want to let u guys know....What is happening??? What can we do??? No more prayers at school...taking Under God out of our Pledge of Alliegence and maybe out of the Constitution. Stores not saying Merry Christmas, but instead Happy Holidays. Help!

I feel for you. After all Christmas is a Christian holiday and celebrates the birth of Christ in human form (the Incarnation). If we're going to celebrate Christmas, then let's celebrate it as a Christian holiday, not as some generic winter festival. If you don't like Christmas or Christianity, you don't have to celebrate it. I don't expect a neo-pagan to remove all religious references to their holy days, nor would I expect a Hindu to discard any of his/her religious beliefs from their festivals in order to make them less offensive to non-Hindus - nor do they.

If someone were to wish me a *Happy Solstice*, I'd thank them for the kind greeting and then politely let them know that I don't celebrate Solstice - no big deal. I hope that if I inadvertently wish someone a *Merry Christmas* who's not a Christian, that they'll be as gracious.

robsta

[ZZTopRN]

Originally Posted by HarryPotter

well, I just can't be quiet about this anymore. No offense to any non-Christians out there, but I really feel I am now being discriminated against because of my Christian beliefs. I feel so sad that the birth of Christ is taken out of Christmas, I feel so sad that even the mention of God is being debated and left out of schools. I don't know anything I could do about it, but just want to let u guys know....What is happening??? What can we do??? No more prayers at school...taking Under God out of our Pledge of Alliegence and maybe out of the Constitution. Stores not saying Merry Christmas, but instead Happy Holidays. Help!

Now that they have taken Christmas away from us, are they going to take Santa Claus from us? There is Hanukah and there has been Christmas, observed on calendar dates. Didn't used to be any problems with that. Can we go to Israel and take Hanukah away from them?

mv

[Antelope]

Originally Posted by HarryPotter

well, I just can't be quiet about this anymore. No offense to any non-Christians out there, but I really feel I am now being discriminated against because of my Christian beliefs. I feel so sad that the birth of Christ is taken out of Christmas, I feel so sad that even the mention of God is being debated and left out of schools. I don't know anything I could do about it, but just want to let u guys know....What is happening??? What can we do??? No more prayers at school...taking Under God out of our Pledge of Alliegence and maybe out of the Constitution. Stores not saying Merry Christmas, but instead Happy Holidays. Help!

Well first off, I would like to point out that this post belongs in "The Break Room" forum, since it is not nursing related...

This mindset is what I find so disturbing about christians. How can you say that you are being discriminated against. You are the majority. What about people like me who do not believe in your religion, but have to endure constant exposure to it. We even have to endure a president that uses his religious beliefs to govern our country. We have to listen to him reference god in his speechs, and call others "evil." Everywhere I go I see your religion painted on everything. Especially this time of year. I'm talking about...
bumper stickers that damn me.. Church sign boards that damn me.. Protesters that damn me.. X-mas signs everywhere... nativity sets everywhere.. blah. blah. on and on..
I don't care to much I guess. Usually they give me a good laugh. But what about people of other religions? They probally really feel discriminated against.

School is no place to preach god. History lessons need mention of religion to help illustrate the past. Religion had major influences on history, and I think leaving out those influences would be a crime. Much like how the true history of the American westward expansion has been colored and misrepresented in public education.

"Stores not saying Merry Christmas, but instead Happy Holidays."
Oh please. Just enjoy your holiday your way. Stores shouldn't be expected to discriminate against people with different beliefs then you, just so you can feel better.

I'm sorry to rant, but this post got me upset. Christians need to see things from a point of view outside the doors of their church, and leave non-christians alone.

[Tweety]

Yep, this should moved to either Current Events, where it's been discussed already, or to the breakroom.

Sorry, but I can't muster up any sympathy for you. Frankly, I don't understand this fear that your religion is being taken from you. I don't believe that any religion has any place in publically paid places, because those tax dollars are paid by all faiths.

There are churches on every street corner, turn the dial on the radio and you hear Christmas music such as "Oh Holy Night".

Christmas is alive and well in America. Freedom of speech is alive and well. But why should non-Christians pay taxes to support a Christian holiday? Yeah, I know the forefathers were Christian, but they had the insight to order separation of church and state. Why expect everyone to celebrate your holiday just because it's the most high holy day in your religion and means so much to you.

Quit boo hooing and enjoy yourself. The season's over in a few weeks, why spend it fretting your religion is so threatened when it's not true.

All this is respectfully an opinion in general and not a personal attack.

[Mkue]

I understand both sides and I also feel that the US has tried to incorporate all regions during the Holiday Season in December.

However, I feel that there is a movement to "change" what has been a longstanding tradition in the United States..

Why should the Majority..if the Majority is Christian, Jew.. whichever.. force people to participate in a Holiday..just because some kids enjoy time off for X-mas vacation, celebrate the joy of Christs birth....not everyone celebrates Christmas.. or the birth of Christ.

.. to many people Christmas Day means nothing..so why should they be forced to work or paid extra for it, or lose a days pay because their shop/business is closed. Or be forced to have their kids home from school for a holiday they don't recognize.

I think we are leaning towards a "Generic Society", perhaps areligious, or a society where upon one religion is not more prominent than another.