The meaning of "Christmas"

[Razgovory]

As opposed to a religous movement founded by an unrepentant German anti-Semite?

Meh, who wasn't back then.

Jews.  Many Popes and Bishops who protected Jews.

[The Brain]

As opposed to a religous movement founded by an unrepentant German anti-Semite?

Meh, who wasn't back then.

Jews.  Many Popes and Bishops who protected Jews.

Don't forget the French.

[derspiess]

As opposed to a religous movement founded by an unrepentant German anti-Semite?

Meh, who wasn't back then.

Jews.  Many Popes and Bishops who protected Jews.

Yet who put swastikas in their cathedrals?  Huh?  HUH??!

[Scipio]

Next year at Christmas, I'm going to say 'Destroy America!' in response to Merry Christmas.

[Razgovory]

As opposed to a religous movement founded by an unrepentant German anti-Semite?

Meh, who wasn't back then.

Jews.  Many Popes and Bishops who protected Jews.

Yet who put swastikas in their cathedrals?  Huh?  HUH??!

Masons.

[Eddie Teach]

Next year at Christmas, I'm going to say 'Destroy America!' in response to Merry Christmas.

You mean you don't go around wishing people Merry Christmas for two weeks afterward?

[Sheilbh]

No, no. If anything, it's more of a different justification for not saying/celebrating "Christmas". I find it disrespectful to Christianity to say that I am doing so when I'm really not, but that doesn't seem to be how Christians take it.

I think this always seems very American. Both the 'war on Christmas' hyperventilating and the 'happy holidays' angle. Over here I've never really seen it come up as an issue.  Also I know a few Muslims, Jews, agnostics and atheists who were looking forward to their Christmas dinners like any 'Christian'. That's been universalised in the UK, so've Santa hats etc.

I don't see 'merry Christmas' as a remotely religious statement. 'Happy Easter' is. We don't have many religiously inspired national holidays but if, say, Pentecost was a holiday I think there'd be a similar issue.