In the news was the outrage of a Saskatoon resident who was upset with busses in the city reading "Merry Christmas." He found this to be a discriminatory act, which was unacceptable for public transit to flash.
I then began to read the comments below the article online where people are free to voice their opinions about the story. All of the ones I read either called the complainant the Grinch, referred to him as Scrooge, or simply stated "in Canada we love to say Merry Christmas!"
A solid amount of people that posted also claimed they were either non-Christian or simply didn't follow a religion; but, because they are Canadians they are happy to partake in a Canadian tradition.
It's true that Christmas was meant to celebrate the birth of Christ; however, today Christmas can simply be a day of giving. Many people who are not Christian enjoy Santa Claus and a chance to have a day off to spend with family.
Wishing people a "Merry Christmas" isn't intended to make others angry or to push Christian beliefs on anyone, it is simply a greeting. Today it is no different than wishing someone "Happy Holidays" in my opinion, however, some people feel this is more acceptable since it acknowledges more than Christmas. We have holidays at this time of year because of Christmas, so saying either is completely acceptable in my opinion.
If somebody wished me "Happy Hanukkah" I wouldn't take it as they were forcing their beliefs on me. If it's what they celebrate, go for it. It's the same as responding to the greeting, "As-salamu alaykum" with "Wa Alykom As-slam." Though it is used as a greeting by Muslims as a shortened way to extend, basically, "May the peace of God be with you" as "Peace be with you", it is also a simple way to greet people in Arabic countries whether Muslim or not. If I were to move to an Arabic country I would expect to reply to a greeting in this way and would not be offended by it as an example.
It is a part of not only their customs in their countries, but each one as a person even if they are not Muslim or religious. Now what the City of Saskatoon has done in response to the aggravated letter is to add "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings," so they no longer just read "Merry Christmas" which is an appropriate solution to me.
Something I found quite strange in relation to religious sensitivities is a story my friend told me. Currently she is teaching grade ones in China and with Christmas coming had decided to maybe put on a Christmas concert. There were, however, Muslims in her class and practitioners of other religions; so, she had a meeting with each one's parents.
She asked them if it would be alright for them to sing a few Christmas tunes and wear Santa hats. It wouldn't be anything religious, just a celebration of the season, something fun for the youth to do while learning English and about Western customs.
The parents of these youth apparently looked at my friend like she was a little bit crazy. The families said, "Of course they can take part in Christmas, why are you even asking us?"
My friend was completely shocked by their response. She had to explain in Canada there are people who take offence to celebrating Christmas in schools because it is a public space and if they are not Christian they should not be forced into the holiday.
The parents of these kids in China were quite surprised by this. Celebrating Christmas was not offensive to them; it was something fun their children could take part in. They understood my friend was not trying to impose her religion on them, in fact I'm not sure if my friend is even religious it's not something we've ever really talked about; but, she was simply trying to give them something to celebrate the season with just as the City of Saskatoon was simply trying to be merry during the winter when otherwise darkness, cold, and snow can make the season a bit gloomy at times.
They probably were not trying to impose Christian beliefs on everyone in the city, they were more than likely just trying to be nice and the difference between "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas" isn't that great in my opinion.
