I read recently of someone getting fired for saying Merry Christmas to a co-worker. So many of these stories are false, and this one may be false as well, but it still brings to light a very important issue. We live in a time when everything is offensive to someone.
My question is this: how can anyone be offended by something in which they do not believe? I think the issue is not whether someone is offended or not; instead, I think the issue is something deeper and much more sinister.
If one is really offended by a Merry Christmas greeting then one should be equally offended by another other greeting that falls outside their belief system. If everyone is extended this right then everyone should stop greeting each other. If I believe in Christmas and you do not, then, I should be given the equally right to greet you in my belief and be offended if you do not respond back to me according to my belief system, correct? I mean, if you do not acknowledge my Christmas greeting because I believe in it and you do not then, am I not allowed the same right to be offended because you did not acknowledge my belief in Christmas? This is the cyclical action of this if the playing field were fair and level. It could drive all of us crazy.
How is one offended by Merry Christmas? What is so offensive about this greeting? It can't be the intent. It can't be the presentation. So, what is it about the greeting that is so offensive? If we have to read the minds of those we encounter before we greet them then the future of greeting one another is in serious jeopardy, and I truly believe it is.
What this mindset will produce is less conversation and more isolated individualism. Why go out of your way to greet your neighbor in a friendly manner when the risks are so high. More and more of us will just stare at the ground and walk quickly to our next engagement. And, yet, we read, almost weekly, how terrible it is when someone does not stop to help someone in need. We live in a time where everyone judges everyone else with the hope that no one will judge them for doing some of the same things.
So, what is the answer? I do not know, but I do know one thing. When I say "Merry Christmas" it is not meant to offend, but instead, it is meant to sincerely wish you and yours a lovely time with family and friends. It is rooted in what I believe about the season. My belief does not mean I disrespect your belief. It simply means that I believe my belief to be true. It does not mean I do not respect you to believe what you feel is true. Do you see where I am going with this? The answer is to begin to have real discussions about this issue and allow everyone's opinion to matter. That is why the comment section is here. So, Merry Christmas! I look forward to your comments in the new year!
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