How many of you say "Merry Christmas"

[blowry]

I just read as thread on here about religion....I believe it is MY RIGHT to say "Merry Christmas"! I am 49 yrs old and have said this my entire life. This is america! the land of free speach! Last Christmas after I paid for my gifts I said "Merry Christmas" The woman at the counter looked at me and said "Happy Holidays" I looked back at her and said NO! "Merry Christmas"! I REFUSE to take Christ out of Christmas....THIS IS MY RIGHT! and no one is going to take it from me..we have had different beliefs from different religions for YEARS! why change things now! If you don't believe in Christmas just smile and walk away...say nothing! but don't take MY right away....And if I want to pray in public, school, say the pledge of allegiance I am going to do it!!

just want to know how you all feel about this one!

[Gina]

I just read as thread on here about religion....I believe it is MY RIGHT to say "Merry Christmas"! I am 49 yrs old and have said this my entire life. This is america! the land of free speach! Last Christmas after I paid for my gifts I said "Merry Christmas" The woman at the counter looked at me and said "Happy Holidays" I looked back at her and said NO! "Merry Christmas"! I REFUSE to take Christ out of Christmas....THIS IS MY RIGHT! and no one is going to take it from me..we have had different beliefs from different religions for YEARS! why change things now! If you don't believe in Christmas just smile and walk away...say nothing! but don't take MY right away....And if I want to pray in public, school, say the pledge of allegiance I am going to do it!!

just want to know how you all feel about this one!


I applaud you:thumbup: :thumbup: I do to say Merry Christmas, when sales people say Happy Holidays, I repeat myself and sometimes I give tell them point blank what I feel. Most of the times the sales people agree with me, they are following their orders from work. I say phooey this is an free nation no one should DICTATE what can be said period. I am sick and tired of commericals and all the media taking Christ out of Christmas. It has been a religious holiday since the 700's and no one should change it now. I worry that in years to come our grand kids will not know Christmas of the past. That scares me....Christmas has always been a beautiful holiday acknowledged by all..

[Janet]

AMEN to this post!!!! There are a lot of "holidays", but only one Christmas and it is to celebrate a more than special event.

I have to say though, I've never had someone wish me Happy Holidays that I can remember. I do believe that some may say it to combine Christmas and New Years and don't mean to be blase about it all.

I have another gripe along this same line...I want Christmas spelled out...not using the "X" in front of "mas." I will not write it this way ever!!!! I don't want the "Christ" taken out of Christmas either!!!!! Great Post!!! :thumbup:

[khardy57]

I just read as thread on here about religion....I believe it is MY RIGHT to say "Merry Christmas"! I am 49 yrs old and have said this my entire life. This is america! the land of free speach! Last Christmas after I paid for my gifts I said "Merry Christmas" The woman at the counter looked at me and said "Happy Holidays" I looked back at her and said NO! "Merry Christmas"! I REFUSE to take Christ out of Christmas....THIS IS MY RIGHT! and no one is going to take it from me..we have had different beliefs from different religions for YEARS! why change things now! If you don't believe in Christmas just smile and walk away...say nothing! but don't take MY right away....And if I want to pray in public, school, say the pledge of allegiance I am going to do it!!

just want to know how you all feel about this one!

You put into words EXACTLY how I feel. I'm so tired ot hearing people say Happy Holidays and it's hard to find Christmas cards that actually say Merry Christmas!

[Tink]

I agree wholeheartedly!
At my last job online, I sent Christmas cards to all of the hosts who worked under me. A couple of them were Jewish, so I did make a point of sending them "Happy Holiday" cards, but the others got "Merry Christmas" on theirs. I don't want to offend anyone, but to me, Christmas is about Christ, and I don't see any reason to hide that fact.

I too really dislike the Xmas deal and refuse to use it.

[rivermom]

I have always said "Merry Christmas" my entire life. Now having a business of our own and it's time to send out greeting cards, we do however find one's that say "Happy Holidays". I don't want to but feel i need to. The greeting cards that I send my family and friends always say Merry Christmas though.

[DianaB]

Every Christian holiday is being taken away from us a little at a time. Christmas is becoming more and more about Santa Claus and his little elves and gifts, gifts, gifts, leaving out the real reason for the holiday, Christ's birth. We worry more about offending people who live here and are from other countries, but if I were to go another country to live would I expect their country to quit celebrating their holidays the way they're used to just because I, an American, were living in their country? No!! And I don't think that we should compromise how we (as American Christain believers) celebrate our holidays either. Athiests and other non-christian people can just look the other way if something is offensive to them. This country is founded on Christian beliefs and, in my opinion, we cannot remove Christianity from our society. It is the base of our country. Take it away and we will collapse.

Easter is the same way too. The Easter bunny has become so important and getting the eggs dyed and hidden that, again, the true meaning of the holiday is lost, the fact that Christ died on the cross and rose again so that man-kind can be forgiven for their sins and spend eternity with Him.

Two very important holidays with their true meanings becoming thought of less and less. Yet the importance of them is so very important to our lives. Do I say "Merry Christmas?" You bet!!!

[sharong]

You said it perfectly Diana. I taught my children the true meaning of these holidays and they are teaching that to their children. When I was growing up we had Christmas break in school...now my grandson has winter break and Easter is spring break. It's crazy.

It's very sad to see all of the Happy Holidays banners in store windows, office buildings, etc. We have to stick together and keep the true meaning of the holidays alive and say Merry Christmas to every one we meet.

[Kimberley]

I'm a "Merry Christmas" kinda gal!;)

[Cribal]

I'm a "Merry Christmas" kinda gal!;)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[~GirlieGirl~]

Merry Christmas for me.

Christmas is a religous holiday and if you don't believe in God then why do you celebrate Christmas?

I get tired of people saying they don't believe in God but yet they celebrate Christmas and Easter.:eek:

[Mandy]

Most shopkeepers here say Merry Christmas, if they wish me Happy Holidays, i wish them Merry Christmas. :p

[RLC12345678]

I say Merry Christmas! I heard on the Today show the other morning that WalMart is saying Merry Christmas again this year. Guess their sales dropped last year and they figure that by saying Merry Christmas that their sales will be better.:rolleyes:

[Miss_Sara]

like I've said before
Happy Holidays pretty much means the same thing
"Happy HOLY days"

I say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays until after Thanksgiving, so I can include it all.
I love Christmas, and we're celebrating the birth of Jesus!

[Lissa]

I just read as thread on here about religion....I believe it is MY RIGHT to say "Merry Christmas"! I am 49 yrs old and have said this my entire life. This is america! the land of free speach! Last Christmas after I paid for my gifts I said "Merry Christmas" The woman at the counter looked at me and said "Happy Holidays" I looked back at her and said NO! "Merry Christmas"! I REFUSE to take Christ out of Christmas....THIS IS MY RIGHT! and no one is going to take it from me..we have had different beliefs from different religions for YEARS! why change things now! If you don't believe in Christmas just smile and walk away...say nothing! but don't take MY right away....And if I want to pray in public, school, say the pledge of allegiance I am going to do it!
just want to know how you all feel about this one!


Sorry, but I couldn't pass this up.

You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Christmas is a pagan holiday that was adopted by the Roman church to win over more followers that didn't want to give up their holidays. Christmas was a celebration of the Winter Solstice and many pagan's held celebrations around that time. Easter is the Spring Equinox. The Christians appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out. There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an athiest. I'm one of those Christians that doesn't live her life as a contradiction. I follow the Bible and nothing but the Bible, and we were not instructed or authorized to set apart a day to celebrate Christ's birth, we were told to celebrate his death in weekly Communion.

To me Christmas isn't about Christ, it's a time to get together with your family.

So for me, it's a hearty Happy Chrismahanukwanzika to all.

[blowry]

Sorry, but I couldn't pass this up.

You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Christmas is a pagan holiday that was adopted by the Roman church to win over more followers that didn't want to give up their holidays. Christmas was a celebration of the Winter Solstice and many pagan's held celebrations around that time. Easter is the Spring Equinox. The Christians appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out. There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an athiest. I'm one of those Christians that doesn't live her life as a contradiction. I follow the Bible and nothing but the Bible, and we were not instructed or authorized to set apart a day to celebrate Christ's birth, we were told to celebrate his death in weekly Communion.

To me Christmas isn't about Christ, it's a time to get together with your family.

So for me, it's a hearty Happy Chrismahanukwanzika to all.


You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.


Yes, you are absolutely right! But, the checkers DON'T have a choice...they are told my their employers that they HAVE to say Happy Holidays...My gripe isn't the fact of saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays...My gripe is that this has only happened since all of this "political correctness" has come about....Never in my life have I ever heard someone be upset because someone said Merry Christmas,...If I said (which I have done)Merry Christmas to someone that didn't celebrate the holiday and they TOLD me they were Jewish, or another religion that didn't celebrate Christmas I would apologize and with them Happy Holidays....But..DON'T get in my face (talking hypothetically here) and tell me I am insulting you by saying Merry Christmas...This is the way I was brought up and this is the way I am going to stay....All this "political correctness C**P" is just insane...Let's go back to the way it was when I was in high school.....30yrs ago!

[blowry]

Sorry, but I couldn't pass this up.

You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Christmas is a pagan holiday that was adopted by the Roman church to win over more followers that didn't want to give up their holidays. Christmas was a celebration of the Winter Solstice and many pagan's held celebrations around that time. Easter is the Spring Equinox. The Christians appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out. There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an athiest. I'm one of those Christians that doesn't live her life as a contradiction. I follow the Bible and nothing but the Bible, and we were not instructed or authorized to set apart a day to celebrate Christ's birth, we were told to celebrate his death in weekly Communion.

To me Christmas isn't about Christ, it's a time to get together with your family.

So for me, it's a hearty Happy Chrismahanukwanzika to all.


You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.


Yes, you are absolutely right! But, the checkers DON'T have a choice...they are told my their employers that they HAVE to say Happy Holidays...My gripe isn't the fact of saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays...My gripe is that this has only happened since all of this "political correctness" has come about....Never in my life have I ever heard someone be upset because someone said Merry Christmas,...If I said (which I have done)Merry Christmas to someone that didn't celebrate the holiday and they TOLD me they were Jewish, or another religion that didn't celebrate Christmas I would apologize and wish them Happy Holidays....But..DON'T get in my face (talking hypothetically here) and tell me I am insulting you by saying Merry Christmas...This is the way I was brought up and this is the way I am going to stay....All this "political correctness C**P" is just insane...Let's go back to the way it was when I was in high school.....30yrs ago!
That's when everyone got along, we had the pledge of allegiance, if you wanted to pray in school you could...I had friends that brought bibles to school...Today if a child brought a bible to school and parent that didn't think that was appropriate would be at the school in a heartbeat....what the HELL is wrong with people today...

[SweetCuteness]

So, being that I am dating a Jewish guy, I have to give my two cents. What if the checker is Jewish? Christmas is not celebrated by Jews, so they have the right to say Happy Holidays. I've always said "Have a great holiday." It's not to be PC, because I say how I feel, I just say it because there are a lot of different cultures in the United States. On Christmas Day, I do say "Merry Christmas" to everyone, but why is it such a huge problem that people say Happy Holidays???? What if they celebrate Kwanzaa (sp) or Hannukah??? They HAVE to say Merry Christmas just because you said it? Not in my book they don't.

If people are saying "Happy Holiday" for PC reasons, that's retarded... I agree. But there are people that do not celebrate Christmas and you shouldn't expect them to say Merry Christmas. Oh, and what about Jahovah's Witnesses... who don't celebrate holidays at all?

Like I said, just my two cents. If you get pi$$ed at me, that's fine.

So as Old Navy says: Happymerry Christmahannakwanzakah to everyone!!!

[SweetCuteness]

Sorry, but I couldn't pass this up.

You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.

To me Christmas isn't about Christ, it's a time to get together with your family.

So for me, it's a hearty Happy Chrismahanukwanzika to all.

:thumbup: :thumbup: I couldn't agree more.

[blowry]

So, being that I am dating a Jewish guy, I have to give my two cents. What if the checker is Jewish? Christmas is not celebrated by Jews, so they have the right to say Happy Holidays. I've always said "Have a great holiday." It's not to be PC, because I say how I feel, I just say it because there are a lot of different cultures in the United States. On Christmas Day, I do say "Merry Christmas" to everyone, but why is it such a huge problem that people say Happy Holidays???? What if they celebrate Kwanzaa (sp) or Hannukah??? They HAVE to say Merry Christmas just because you said it? Not in my book they don't.

If people are saying "Happy Holiday" for PC reasons, that's retarded... I agree. But there are people that do not celebrate Christmas and you shouldn't expect them to say Merry Christmas. Oh, and what about Jahovah's Witnesses... who don't celebrate holidays at all?

Like I said, just my two cents. If you get pi$$ed at me, that's fine.

So as Old Navy says: Happymerry Christmahannakwanzakah to everyone!!!


I'm not getting mad at anybody! I take it you didn't read my original post..I have friends that are Jehovah' Witnesses and my doctor is Jewish...I DO NOT get upset because they don't say Merry Christmas...that wasn't what I said...If someone is Jewish and I KNOW they are Jewish I would never expect them to wish me Merry Christmas...But, to get down right angry because it's not Politically Correct is not right...And....I have seen this happen...All I said was I don't want people in my face if I say Merry Christmas...this is MY RIGHT.. I'm not upset with anyone here...this is a forum and everyone is entitled to their own opinion..and that was mine. I also posted this on YT...I'm sorry if I offended you.

[SweetCuteness]

I'm not getting mad at anybody! I take it you didn't read my original post..I have friends that are Jehovah' Witnesses and my doctor is Jewish...I DO NOT get upset because they don't say Merry Christmas...that wasn't what I said...If someone is Jewish and I KNOW they are Jewish I would never expect them to wish me Merry Christmas...But, to get down right angry because it's not Politically Correct is not right...And....I have seen this happen...All I said was I don't want people in my face if I say Merry Christmas...this is MY RIGHT.. I'm not upset with anyone here...this is a forum and everyone is entitled to their own opinion..and that was mine. I also posted this on YT...I'm sorry if I offended you.

No, no, you didn't offend me at all! I must have misread or missed your first post if it was a different thread. Okay, I understand now. I agree with you 100% then. Everyone has their own beliefs, and this time of the year (for most) is supposed to be about caring and sharing. If we want to say Merry Christmas, and someone gets in our face about it, that's ridiculous.

Sorry for the confusion... it's been a long week.

And hey, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, Brenda. :)

[blowry]

No, no, you didn't offend me at all! I must have misread or missed your first post if it was a different thread. Okay, I understand now. I agree with you 100% then. Everyone has their own beliefs, and this time of the year (for most) is supposed to be about caring and sharing. If we want to say Merry Christmas, and someone gets in our face about it, that's ridiculous.

Sorry for the confusion... it's been a long week.

And hey, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, Brenda. :)

Not a problem SC....It hasn't been a very good week for me either...what happens alot of times is people don't read the original post and just reply to the last one....I understand that...just didn't want you to be upset by what I said...don't like starting fights!! lol

Merry Christmas to you too!

[Marilyn]

Sorry, but I couldn't pass this up.

You say this is a land of free speech. Yes, it's your right to say Merry Christmas, but it's also the checker's right to say Happy Holidays. You can't argue free speech and then yell at someone for exercising the right themself.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Christmas is a pagan holiday that was adopted by the Roman church to win over more followers that didn't want to give up their holidays. Christmas was a celebration of the Winter Solstice and many pagan's held celebrations around that time. Easter is the Spring Equinox. The Christians appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out. There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an athiest. I'm one of those Christians that doesn't live her life as a contradiction. I follow the Bible and nothing but the Bible, and we were not instructed or authorized to set apart a day to celebrate Christ's birth, we were told to celebrate his death in weekly Communion.

To me Christmas isn't about Christ, it's a time to get together with your family.

So for me, it's a hearty Happy Chrismahanukwanzika to all.

She's a little more blunt than her mom, but I have to back her up and say, well said. What she says here is all true ladies. We have to study our history to know where we've been and find our where we are going. I eluded to what 'Lissa says here in an earlier post that may have offended some.

Enjoy your holiday season, we will, with Christmas tree, gifts and all, but we will be celebrating the birth of Christ daily by trying to be like him and trying doing his Father's will to the very best of our ability by studying and following God's Word & not the opinions of men. We pray that all of you will, too. It is our desire to deal with all people with love, and understanding, so you have every right to say what you want, as do we.

[Brooke]

I say Merry Chritmas...I have jewish friends that also say Merry chritmas because they know i celibrate it...I also say happy Hanuka! I think Happy Holidays is not offensive, but I have no problem nameing the Holidays either... I say Merry Christmas to every one... it's the Christmas season after all!!!!

I think it gets confusing with all this political corret stuff...When I was growing up you said retarded... Not Mentaly Chalenged... You said Black...Not African American... Merry Christmas...Not Happy Holidays!!!! I understand there are other ways to put these things but I don't think it should be considered RUDE to say things we were raised to say! I is hard to remember some times and then you feel bad for not saying the right hting... or you are wondering if what you said was ok.... It makes it uncomforable while you are just trying to TALK to some one and get to know them better! I hope this doesnt offend any one... JMO:D

[blowry]

I say Merry Chritmas...I have jewish friends that also say Merry chritmas because they know i celibrate it...I also say happy Hanuka! I think Happy Holidays is not offensive, but I have no problem nameing the Holidays either... I say Merry Christmas to every one... it's the Christmas season after all!!!!

I think it gets confusing with all this political corret stuff...When I was growing up you said retarded... Not Mentaly Chalenged... You said Black...Not African American... Merry Christmas...Not Happy Holidays!!!! I understand there are other ways to put these things but I don't think it should be considered RUDE to say things we were raised to say! I is hard to remember some times and then you feel bad for not saying the right hting... or you are wondering if what you said was ok.... It makes it uncomforable while you are just trying to TALK to some one and get to know them better! I hope this doesnt offend any one... JMO:D


I agree!

[Willow]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! From my Christmas celebrating house to yours!

And for those of you who would be interested....I invite ALL of you to my house next December (first weekend in December) to come and watch the Bethleham walk!! It is an awesome experience and leaves NO QUESTION as to what the TRUE reason for Christmas is...a tiny baby born to us to give us the greatest gift that anyone has ever given...his very own life.

[tina]

I say Merry Christmas. That is the spririt of the season for me, and so that is what I will wish for others.

I won't tell someone no for saying Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings; I just smile back and say "Merry Christmas."

[katepoet]

Ramadan Mubarak! Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa!

I even have a friend I can call with whom to celebrate the Winter Solstice!

May Peace and Joy be in all of our lives in the coming months!

[judy]

Thanks Kate. The holidays are right around the corner. It's going to be 80 degrees today, so it's a little hard to believe.,

I just read this thread and I really hope none of this nonsense comes up again this year. I hate political correctness. I feel like it takes something away from us.

I was born Jewish, but got to celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah. I also know how to say Chanukah the right way! That Ch is supposed to sound kind of like your getting ready to spit. I think it's genetic and you need some Jewish genes to be able to do it right.

Why would I not wish somebody a Merry Christmas? And, on what planet is anyone, including a Jehovah's Witness, who doesn't want somebody to wish them happiness, even if they don't celebrate Christmas? Why would anybody of a different religion not enjoy a Christmas tree? What are they afraid of?

I live in a very religious Jewish neighborhood - not because I fit in - I don't practice Judaism - but I have a great apartment, it's a lovely neighborhood, very safe for NYC, my rent is reasonable, and I've lived here long before they did.

I actually like the young religious women. The men can be nice, but some of them are just too weird for my taste. They're not supposed to look at me because I definitely don't cover up. I find that to be so disgusting and demeaning. Other men have enough control over themselves, or they think about sex and keep it to themselves. Why can't they? Yuck!

I know my neighbors and many of the shopkeepers for years. We get along fine.
Part of it is that I just don't care that I'm different, so they don't.

I had some problems when I got Max because religious Jews don't keep pets. The kids were terrified, the moms still won't touch him, but some of the men actually run! Max is 8 pounds. I'm always tempted to tell them that if he does touch them, they'll instantly turn Christian, and then they'll die a hard and terrible death by crucifixion.

Children being children, they gradually started coming over to see "the doggie." I was very careful with him around them and he's a great dog. He just stands there calmly. I know he likes them. Well, over a period of a few months, the children got used to him and we all got very "proud" when one of them would touch him. We made a fuss over how brave they had become. Now, I'm like the Pied Piper when I walk them. They couldn't get over it when I got Gracie Leigh! She is a cutie.

It became fun and I enjoyed it and enjoyed getting to know the children. Even the young mothers love the dogs. They just weren't raised with animals.

But...a couple of months ago, a young mother told her child not to touch the "yucky" dog. Well - did she hear it from me! What a terrible thing to teach your children, and how dare you call me yucky, because that dog is mine.

Yesterday, I was walking them and two teenage, very religious boys passed me by. One said to the other, loud enough for me to hear, "Look at those disgusting dogs." Not a good idea - I said "Excuse me! They are not disgusting. You're disgusting chasehs (pigs in Yiddish). How dare you!"

So, I'm not politically correct, I have my own religion, I love God, I love Jesus, I love Mary, and I have a Buddhist alter in my house. I go to church when I feel like it.

I actually agree with Lissa and with Marilyn about all of the holidays. Their origins
aren't really about religion, but I just think Merry Christmas covers it all.

By the way, I'm a real Grinch. I hate Christmas. It's a shopping frenzy, has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ, and the music annoys me. I do love Santa though.

Okay, I'm finished rambling.

Merry Christmas!

[katepoet]

Sounds like we have some things in common, Judy.

I love how you seek peace in your life. It comes through, even in your humor.

Will you miss the neighborhood then? It sounds like with its ups and downs it has been a good haven for you.

[judy]

I dont know if I'll miss my neighborhood Kate. Probably. I think we miss things we know well always.

What do we have in common Let's hear your story.

[katepoet]

I was raised by a father who had been raised Jewish and a mother who had been raised Episcopalian, I believe. We actually attended the Unitarian meetings when I was little. We did celebrate all the hols. My parents taught us that we should treat religions cautiously as they can so easily become something that is used to exclude or persecute others.

I want to share a poem with you but I don't want to be an obnoxious poet! I already put up 2 last night that I wanted to share with everyone... I have one about visiting the Holocaust museum with my father.

Are you writing any poetry?

[judy]

Share it woman!

(No - I'm not a poetry writer)

[katepoet]

I put it up - about going to the Holocaust Museum with my father. In his later years, he enjoyed exploring and honoring his Jewish heritage although he never called himself Jewish once he had rejected it as a young man.

[katepoet]

I only started writing poetry as an adult a couple of years ago - I love it. It does make my fiction better, too.