People now talking about boycotting Starbucks because their failure to put snowflakes on a disposable coffee cup is an "attack on Christians".

Seriously, the real "War on Christmas" is Fox News and a bunch of right wingers seeing Christmas as an opportunity to boost ratings by making people mad at each other. Doesn't seem very "Christian" (or Christmasy) to me.

At this point, I feel like we're just getting trolled. The screaming pastor with the big viral video on this is telling his followers to go order coffees under the name "Merry Christmas" so that the Starbucks employee has to write that on the cup.

In other words, he's driving traffic to Starbucks. The people who boycott over this sort of imagined outrage seem sensible by comparison.

(11-10-2015 10:47 AM)JOwl Wrote:  At this point, I feel like we're just getting trolled. The screaming pastor with the big viral video on this is telling his followers to go order coffees under the name "Merry Christmas" so that the Starbucks employee has to write that on the cup.

In other words, he's driving traffic to Starbucks. The people who boycott over this sort of imagined outrage seem sensible by comparison.

Yeah, I'm not completely convinced the original guy isn't a troll, either. But if he is, that almost shows how ridiculous it's all become. I have relatives who seem to think if someone says "Happy Holidays" to you, they might as well screamed "F--- You Jesus!" at them. Or that people who say Happy Holidays have some nasty aversion to saying the words "Merry Christmas".

Over the years I've had Hindu, Muslim, and Jewish coworkers, as well as Christian coworkers. (Not to mention some Christian coworkers who don't celebrate Christmas.) Why would I say Merry Christmas to them? Saying Happy Holidays to a group of people of different faiths or to an individual whose faith I don't know is not an attack on Christians, it's just an attempt to be respectful of people's differences.

I can't believe this discussion is happening before Thanksgiving.

(11-10-2015 10:47 AM)JOwl Wrote:  At this point, I feel like we're just getting trolled. The screaming pastor with the big viral video on this is telling his followers to go order coffees under the name "Merry Christmas" so that the Starbucks employee has to write that on the cup.

In other words, he's driving traffic to Starbucks. The people who boycott over this sort of imagined outrage seem sensible by comparison.

Even if he told me his name was "Merry Christmas," that's not what I would write on his cup.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/pol...christmas/

I used to know a Christmas family. Their daughter's name was Christina, but he told me he had a niece named Merry. Some people have a quirky sense of humor.

Back when I was an atheist, I was irritated somewhat by all the Christmas stuff, but it never occurred to me I had the right to make them stop.

The whole thing is much ado about nothing, on both sides. JMHO.

Did any of those Muslim, Hindu, etc co-workers ever refuse to take the paid time off for Christmas and Easter? I know I never turned down a Christmas bonus or time off because of my beliefs. I just wasn't offended that much.

(11-10-2015 11:50 AM)JSA Wrote:  

(11-10-2015 10:47 AM)JOwl Wrote:  At this point, I feel like we're just getting trolled. The screaming pastor with the big viral video on this is telling his followers to go order coffees under the name "Merry Christmas" so that the Starbucks employee has to write that on the cup.

In other words, he's driving traffic to Starbucks. The people who boycott over this sort of imagined outrage seem sensible by comparison.

Even if he told me his name was "Merry Christmas," that's not what I would write on his cup.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/pol...christmas/

That's a darn good point.

Mary Xmas?

Marik Rizz-Mass?

(11-10-2015 12:05 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I used to know a Christmas family. Their daughter's name was Christina, but he told me he had a niece named Merry. Some people have a quirky sense of humor.

Back when I was an atheist, I was irritated somewhat by all the Christmas stuff, but it never occurred to me I had the right to make them stop.

The whole thing is much ado about nothing, on both sides. JMHO.

Did any of those Muslim, Hindu, etc co-workers ever refuse to take the paid time off for Christmas and Easter? I know I never turned down a Christmas bonus or time off because of my beliefs. I just wasn't offended that much.

No, and they generally took people who wished them Merry Christmas in stride, assuming it was genuine wish of good will. This whole Fox News idea that "secular progressives" are trying to keep people from celebrating Christmas is made up.

I kind of understand the "keep Christ in Christmas" people more -it's become very commercial and materialistic, and Rudolph and Frosty weren't in the bible last time I checked. So if they are speaking to fellow Christians I think they are making a valid point. Having said that, Christmas is really a separate Secular holiday nowadays as well. I know Jewish families that have Christmas trees. We are not really Christian in any meaningful way, and I put up a Christmas tree and lights in our yard. But if Christians didn't want non-Christians to appropriate their holiday, they shouldn't have made it so damn fun! In any case they stole a lot of the fun parts from the pagans anyway...

Instead of trying to come up with an innocuous phrase to encompass Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, etc maybe the collective should just respond like reasonable adults.

You're Jewish and someone wishes you a Merry Christmas maybe you respond: "Actually, I'm Jewish and celebrate Hanukkah but Merry Christmas to you!" To which the first well wisher might respond, "I'm so sorry. Happy Hanukkah!"

Then everyone goes on with their lives.

(11-10-2015 11:50 AM)JSA Wrote:  

(11-10-2015 10:47 AM)JOwl Wrote:  At this point, I feel like we're just getting trolled. The screaming pastor with the big viral video on this is telling his followers to go order coffees under the name "Merry Christmas" so that the Starbucks employee has to write that on the cup.

In other words, he's driving traffic to Starbucks. The people who boycott over this sort of imagined outrage seem sensible by comparison.

Even if he told me his name was "Merry Christmas," that's not what I would write on his cup.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/pol...christmas/

Of course not: we all know that Starbucks employees can't spell anyway...

(11-10-2015 12:58 PM)Steven Herce Wrote:  . . . maybe the collective should just respond like reasonable adults.

What? And forfeit the joy of manufactured, self-righteous anger? Never!

(11-10-2015 01:06 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(11-10-2015 12:58 PM)Steven Herce Wrote:  . . . maybe the collective should just respond like reasonable adults.

What? And forfeit the joy of manufactured, self-righteous anger? Never!

That would be un-American!

And it turns out Starbucks actually has products with the word "Christmas" in the name....

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/star...-red-cups/

(11-10-2015 12:31 PM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  This whole Fox News idea that "secular progressives" are trying to keep people from celebrating Christmas is made up.

Man, Fox News has really screwed up America. We used to be such good people before them, now it is all just hate and lies.

If only we could make them go away, all the gullible people would have to find some place else for their news, someplace that presents it correctly.

(11-10-2015 04:53 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(11-10-2015 12:31 PM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  This whole Fox News idea that "secular progressives" are trying to keep people from celebrating Christmas is made up.

Man, Fox News has really screwed up America. We used to be such good people before them, now it is all just hate and lies.

If only we could make them go away, all the gullible people would have to find some place else for their news, someplace that presents it correctly.

Just as they are free to keep producing this "War on Christmas" drivel, everybody else is free to call them on it.

Sounds like We Three Kings are in agreement.

(11-11-2015 02:30 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Sounds like We Three Kings are in agreement.

If only threads on the sportsball part of the Parliament were as easily resolved...

i find the War on Christmas to be as overblown as the War on Women, just espoused by a different bunch.

i remember the Nativity scenes on the courthouse lawn - something else the youth of today will never see, like dial phones.

What aspect of a nativity scene on a courthouse lawn is special to you? Vs., say, a nativity scene on a church lawn or private citizen's lawn.

Also, it's still possible to find nativity scenes on courthouse lawns in this country.

(11-12-2015 09:09 AM)JOwl Wrote:  What aspect of a nativity scene on a courthouse lawn is special to you? Vs., say, a nativity scene on a church lawn or private citizen's lawn.

Also, it's still possible to find nativity scenes on courthouse lawns in this country.

Nostalgia, primarily. I remember my youth, 60 years back as a time when Christmas meant more Christ, more "goodwill to all", more happiness, less "I'm offended", less "keep your damn religion to yourself".

If you think I am some hidebound religionist from the Religious Right, have another think. I haven't been in a church other than for weddings and funerals since 1988. I am a former atheist who is now more of an agnostic. I am the grinchiest of grinches in my personal life - I don't exchange gifts. I don't decorate, I don't have a tree. Christmas is mostly a football day for me. I don't send out cards.

But if somebody wishes me a Merry Christmas, I take no offense. I wish them one right back. How is that different from "Have a good day? If people want to put up a nativity scene, fine, and I don't care if it is on the Tax Office front lawn. Not going to make the steam come out of my ears. I don't think it is establishing a state religion. You do things your way, I'll do them mine.

There is a little bit of a war, not on Christmas itself, but on Public Christmas. Nobody cares if you keep your religion to yourself, behind closed doors, but public displays seem to impinge on other people's rights. I wonder when the National Christmas Tree will be a victim.

In some ways, I wish I could enjoy Christmas again like I did when I was 10. heck, I wish my 10 year old grandson could.

Look at the last line of my sig. that is from a Christmas card I received. the last time I sent out Christmas cards, it was in each and every one. I hope I didn't offend anybody. I guess the Nostalgia is for the time when I didn't have to worry about offending somebody.

sorry for being slow. Had a busy day.