Posted by Kromey at 12:37pm Apr 19 '10I haven't mentioned it in a while I don't think, so the newcomers may not be aware that I'm Deist (for practical day-to-day purposes, thinking of me as an Atheist is simplest -- some day I'll re-introduce my brand of these religious beliefs) and not Christian. So Christ's birth, death, subsequent resurrection, etc. hold no meaning to me (nor really any credibility beyond what could be possible for a non-divine human being). So you might think that I don't celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc.
But you would, in fact, be wrong.
I was raised by Christian parents, but even so Christmas, Easter, etc. weren't really given any strong religious context -- my sister and I were told what they represent if we asked, but beyond that the days were merely holidays from work, excuses to eat great food, and to give each other gifts. I guess none of that is truly relevant except to explain that, even though I'm not Christian and don't believe in the divinity of Christ nor even that he was killed and later resurrected, I still celebrate those holidays.
Anyway, almost all of my friends are Christian, and the few who aren't are like me in that they celebrate these holidays as well. And, knowing that the overwhelming majority of this country likewise celebrates these holidays, the sensible thing is to simply wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, etc. Now, if I happen to know someone celebrates Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or anything else, I will wish them a happy [insert holiday name here]. Likewise, if someone were to wish me a happy Chanukah or Kwanzaa or any such thing, I would not be offended but instead return the greeting in kind and be happy knowing that they meant well, even if they got a detail they couldn't possibly know about me wrong.
But you would, in fact, be wrong.
I was raised by Christian parents, but even so Christmas, Easter, etc. weren't really given any strong religious context -- my sister and I were told what they represent if we asked, but beyond that the days were merely holidays from work, excuses to eat great food, and to give each other gifts. I guess none of that is truly relevant except to explain that, even though I'm not Christian and don't believe in the divinity of Christ nor even that he was killed and later resurrected, I still celebrate those holidays.
Anyway, almost all of my friends are Christian, and the few who aren't are like me in that they celebrate these holidays as well. And, knowing that the overwhelming majority of this country likewise celebrates these holidays, the sensible thing is to simply wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, etc. Now, if I happen to know someone celebrates Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or anything else, I will wish them a happy [insert holiday name here]. Likewise, if someone were to wish me a happy Chanukah or Kwanzaa or any such thing, I would not be offended but instead return the greeting in kind and be happy knowing that they meant well, even if they got a detail they couldn't possibly know about me wrong.
Usually a simple "Merry Christmas" - Kromey