Comments on: Wal-Mart goes Christian — again http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again A Blog of Atheist Thought Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:37:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Baby names search by initial L of origin French http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-2#comment-96666 Baby names search by initial L of origin French Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:55:50 +0000 #comment-96666 [...] American Atheists | Welcome reddit_url='http://www.baby-parenting.com/baby/search_babynames.php?initial=L&origin=French&gender=Female' reddit_title='Baby names search by initial L of origin French' [...] [...] American Atheists | Welcome reddit_url=’http://www.baby-parenting.com/baby/search_babynames.php?initial=L&origin=French&gender=Female’ reddit_title=’Baby names search by initial L of origin French’ [...]

]]> By: CAL http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47449 CAL Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47449 I agree with you, there should be NO ties, but, either way, what Christmas has turned into is a corporate thing, where you buy gifts for your friends, and spend time with your friends and family. I celebrate it for that, and holidays are fun, it gives us an excuse to do such things. But at the same time, it is sad that it isn't a more generic name.<br /> <br /> Happy Holidays is all Wal-Mart needs to really say. I agree with you, there should be NO ties, but, either way, what Christmas has turned into is a corporate thing, where you buy gifts for your friends, and spend time with your friends and family. I celebrate it for that, and holidays are fun, it gives us an excuse to do such things. But at the same time, it is sad that it isn’t a more generic name.

Happy Holidays is all Wal-Mart needs to really say.

]]> By: scobysnx http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47450 scobysnx Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47450 I get into this argument at work constantally. Certain individuals tell me how much they hate that because of Atheist they have to hear happy holidays all season long. I tell them thatI get into this argument at work constantly. Certain individuals tell me how much they hate that because of Atheist they have to hear happy holidays all season long. I tell them that I have never heard of any atheist movement that would cause that, instead I tell them to blame all their other religious buddies. Bottom line is I love X-mas. Too me it's just a time for family to come together and enjoy each others company. We tell children fairy tales about a fat man with a red suit that hands out presents, so who cares if others want to think the holiday is about some mythical baby being born. When ever someone tells me the remember the reason for the season, I tell them yup it's to make my stock in Wal-mart go up. I have never heared of any atheist movement that would cause that, instead I tell them to blame all their other religous buddies. Bottom line is I love X-mas. Too me it's just a time for family to come together and enjoy each others company. We tell children fairy tales about a fat man with a red suit that hands out presents, so who cares if others want to think the holiday is about some mythical baby being born. When ever someone tells me the remember the reason for the season, I tell them yup it's to make my stock in Wal-mart go up. I get into this argument at work constantally. Certain individuals tell me how much they hate that because of Atheist they have to hear happy holidays all season long. I tell them thatI get into this argument at work constantly. Certain individuals tell me how much they hate that because of Atheist they have to hear happy holidays all season long. I tell them that I have never heard of any atheist movement that would cause that, instead I tell them to blame all their other religious buddies. Bottom line is I love X-mas. Too me it’s just a time for family to come together and enjoy each others company. We tell children fairy tales about a fat man with a red suit that hands out presents, so who cares if others want to think the holiday is about some mythical baby being born. When ever someone tells me the remember the reason for the season, I tell them yup it’s to make my stock in Wal-mart go up. I have never heared of any atheist movement that would cause that, instead I tell them to blame all their other religous buddies. Bottom line is I love X-mas. Too me it’s just a time for family to come together and enjoy each others company. We tell children fairy tales about a fat man with a red suit that hands out presents, so who cares if others want to think the holiday is about some mythical baby being born. When ever someone tells me the remember the reason for the season, I tell them yup it’s to make my stock in Wal-mart go up.

]]> By: Phideaux http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47451 Phideaux Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47451 <br /> They can't have it both ways.<br /> <br /> First they complain Christmas is too commercialized. Then they complain if people don't talk about Christmas WHILE THEY SHOP. Go figure. <br /> <br /> It mildly annoys me when people wish me a Merry Christmas. I try to remember they are just being nice, even though they are being presumptuous and divisive. <br /> <br /> If I want to be a jerk, I say, "Thank you for the greeting even though I am not Christian. I hope you have a nice holiday season." <br /> <br /> I think it helps build their awareness that everyone they meet is not Christian. It hopefully makes them a little uncomfortable to realize they assumed incorrectly. <br /> <br /> Perhaps they will get a glimpse into the reasons a more generic holiday greeting is preferred. <br /> They can’t have it both ways.

First they complain Christmas is too commercialized. Then they complain if people don’t talk about Christmas WHILE THEY SHOP. Go figure.

It mildly annoys me when people wish me a Merry Christmas. I try to remember they are just being nice, even though they are being presumptuous and divisive.

If I want to be a jerk, I say, “Thank you for the greeting even though I am not Christian. I hope you have a nice holiday season.”

I think it helps build their awareness that everyone they meet is not Christian. It hopefully makes them a little uncomfortable to realize they assumed incorrectly.

Perhaps they will get a glimpse into the reasons a more generic holiday greeting is preferred.

]]> By: flanonblvr http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47453 flanonblvr Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47453 "Am I over-reacting"<br /> <br /> yes. having raised our kids without god and jesus, they just look at christmas as a commercial holiday. that is what it really is, even to most christians who wouldn't admit it. the jesus thing is just a side note. <br /> <br /> we still buy a fresh spruce and call it a christmas tree and do the whole gift deal. like i said, i don't even consider the word "christmas" to have a religious connotation anymore. “Am I over-reacting”

yes. having raised our kids without god and jesus, they just look at christmas as a commercial holiday. that is what it really is, even to most christians who wouldn’t admit it. the jesus thing is just a side note.

we still buy a fresh spruce and call it a christmas tree and do the whole gift deal. like i said, i don’t even consider the word “christmas” to have a religious connotation anymore.

]]> By: alexatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47454 alexatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47454 In the UK people think it is hilarious the way that Americans have this whole debate over xmas. Britons are a majority atheist but xmas is the biggest bank holiday of the year and everyone gets into it big time. I believe this is becasue we tend to regard xmas the way that people here regard halloween-the religious origin is irrelevant and it is just an excuse to get away from work and drink and give and receive prezzies.<br /> Sure it annoys me to hear "Happy xmas" or even "holidays" so just do what I do and counter with "No thanks, I'm an atheist". <br /> <br /> In the UK people think it is hilarious the way that Americans have this whole debate over xmas. Britons are a majority atheist but xmas is the biggest bank holiday of the year and everyone gets into it big time. I believe this is becasue we tend to regard xmas the way that people here regard halloween-the religious origin is irrelevant and it is just an excuse to get away from work and drink and give and receive prezzies.
Sure it annoys me to hear “Happy xmas” or even “holidays” so just do what I do and counter with “No thanks, I’m an atheist”.

]]> By: leestein http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47456 leestein Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47456 Christmas never bothered me much. It's become a secular holiday like Halloween, and its roots, like Halloween, are pre-Christian. Before Victorian times, Christmas was never a big celebration. The actual religious holiday was pretty low key.<br /> Christmas never bothered me much. It’s become a secular holiday like Halloween, and its roots, like Halloween, are pre-Christian. Before Victorian times, Christmas was never a big celebration. The actual religious holiday was pretty low key.

]]> By: CascadiaEventHorizon http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47457 CascadiaEventHorizon Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47457 Wal-mart knows how emotional people can get about this topic. I am not excusing them for this action, but I know how fanatical some people can be. It is in the best interest of employee safety<br /> <br /> My life-partner was the manager of a retail store last winter season. She said "Happy Holidays",(even though it means holy days) to all her customers. Many people became upset when she said this to them. When they did become upset she told them a "little white lie". She said she was jewish. <br /> <br /> One "die-hard faux news fan" still considered this to be no excuse. He demanded to see the manager. She told him she was the manager. He then demanded to know how to get in touch with her supervisors. The terms of her employment required her to provide it upon request. When the owners called her, and heard the story, they decided she was "in the right". He was outraged by this! the man began harassing her at work. He would show up daily, and shout at her to say merry X-mas. He would then leave quickly knowing he was wrong. This went on for about a week. Then one day he followed her home, she ran in the house screaming.<br /> <br /> Off topic:<br /> (did I mention I fully support the second amendment!!)<br /> <br /> On topic:<br /> When he found out she did not live alone he "burned rubber". She reported what happened, but he didn't bother her again, and nothing ever came of it. <br /> <br /> The whole point is that it might be better to give them what they want, and say merry xmas (or buy a gun.) <br /> <br /> I also learned that you get a better reaction with "have a nice day". It is my hypothesis that this phrase is not one of the faux news brainwashing "trigger words"(happy holidays is) and nobody ever noticed she didn't say merry x-mas with "have a nice day" Wal-mart knows how emotional people can get about this topic. I am not excusing them for this action, but I know how fanatical some people can be. It is in the best interest of employee safety

My life-partner was the manager of a retail store last winter season. She said “Happy Holidays”,(even though it means holy days) to all her customers. Many people became upset when she said this to them. When they did become upset she told them a “little white lie”. She said she was jewish.

One “die-hard faux news fan” still considered this to be no excuse. He demanded to see the manager. She told him she was the manager. He then demanded to know how to get in touch with her supervisors. The terms of her employment required her to provide it upon request. When the owners called her, and heard the story, they decided she was “in the right”. He was outraged by this! the man began harassing her at work. He would show up daily, and shout at her to say merry X-mas. He would then leave quickly knowing he was wrong. This went on for about a week. Then one day he followed her home, she ran in the house screaming.

Off topic:
(did I mention I fully support the second amendment!!)

On topic:
When he found out she did not live alone he “burned rubber”. She reported what happened, but he didn’t bother her again, and nothing ever came of it.

The whole point is that it might be better to give them what they want, and say merry xmas (or buy a gun.)

I also learned that you get a better reaction with “have a nice day”. It is my hypothesis that this phrase is not one of the faux news brainwashing “trigger words”(happy holidays is) and nobody ever noticed she didn’t say merry x-mas with “have a nice day”

]]> By: spartacus007 http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47458 spartacus007 Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47458 If a store is saying 'Happy Holidays' to be inclusive, that's great, but if they're doing it out of fear of the PC Police, its not. Personally, I love Christmas and I am sick of Bill O'Reilly insinuating that we don't. If we put together some scientific poll of Americans, I'm sure we'd find that most US non-believers celebrate Christmas. If a store is saying ‘Happy Holidays’ to be inclusive, that’s great, but if they’re doing it out of fear of the PC Police, its not. Personally, I love Christmas and I am sick of Bill O’Reilly insinuating that we don’t. If we put together some scientific poll of Americans, I’m sure we’d find that most US non-believers celebrate Christmas.

]]> By: Monika http://atheists.org/blog/2006/11/09/wal_mart_goes_christian_again/comment-page-1#comment-47459 Monika Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47459 <br /> Are you over-reacting? Yes.<br /> <br /> Originally it was a pagan ceremony (and some people still celebrate it that way) then it was a christain ceremony (and quite a lot of people still celebrate it that way) and now it is a secular holiday relating to the Santa Clause myth and gifts. Just consider that the holiday has moved on and we atheists enjoy it in its most modern form!<br /> <br /> I can see the anti-christian-holiday-being-forced-on-us sentiment but I just can't agree. I love Christmas! I love the decorations, the presents, the time with family and friends, the food and the booze. What is there to object to really?<br /> Are you over-reacting? Yes.

Originally it was a pagan ceremony (and some people still celebrate it that way) then it was a christain ceremony (and quite a lot of people still celebrate it that way) and now it is a secular holiday relating to the Santa Clause myth and gifts. Just consider that the holiday has moved on and we atheists enjoy it in its most modern form!

I can see the anti-christian-holiday-being-forced-on-us sentiment but I just can’t agree. I love Christmas! I love the decorations, the presents, the time with family and friends, the food and the booze. What is there to object to really?

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