On that note, I also never understood how people find Christmas carols and Halloween/Christmas/Easter parties offensive. Our public school still performs traditional carols at the 'Holiday' band, orchestra and choir concerts. When asked, our Jewish middle school choir director said it was because they are more challenging than 'Jingle Bells.' She also had the students performing Negro Spirituals at every spring concert. I guess because no one has complained to the school board, it continues. I know that is not the case in other school districts. As far as the elementary school parties, they've changed the name from Christmas to 'Holiday Parties.' Besides the name change, it's really the same thing we probably all did back in the day.........make ornaments for our Christmas trees, exchange gifts, eat some cookies and sing 'Frosty the Snowman.' Offensive!
Growing up, my own school district had about a 40% Jewish population. We still had Christmas and Easter parties and no one complained. I know a lot of them had Christmas trees at home and hung their stockings under their menorahs. They would also hand out chocolate coins at school and we would spin the dreidel and sing 'Hava Nagila.' No one had a problem with that. I guess my question is, what's the fear of celebrating someone else's religious customs? I didn't run home and demand a Bat Mitzvah. My own children are more likely to have a Hindu classmate than a Jewish one. I'd welcome my kids learning about Diwali. It seems irrational to me to have a problem with that. If I live in the 'melting pot,' I should expect that some of those around me have different faiths. Likewise, if one moves to a country, where the majority of people are of a Christian background, you might expect to hear 'Silent Night' at the mall or at school.
Ironically, as I write this, yet another duo of Jehovah's Witnesses rang my doorbell. Apparently, it's a holiday thing around here, because this is twice since Thanksgiving. Which is a good lead in for my story . . . when my oldest was in 3rd grade, her teacher was a 60 year old woman who never married or had children of her own. Her students were her children. She LOVED her students. They each got a hug on Friday, while walking out the door. She brought breakfast each morning for a student in the class who didn't get any at home. And she LOVED her holidays. The kids made elaborate crafts for everything from Columbus Day to Easter, some of which I still have; they were that nice! That year, there was a Jehovah's Witness boy in the class. His mother would pick him up early any day that they had a class party. I have no idea what he did on people's birthdays; with 30 kids in a class, someone would always be having a birthday. Maybe he just sat there and didn't sing. Anyway, the teacher felt so bad for him, she would save treats, goodie bags, and prizes from each party and leave it on his desk for when he returned the next day. I always wondered if he just threw the stuff away, tried to eat it all before going home, or stashed it under his bed at home.
The point of my story? I don't really know..........but I do hope that YOU are having a Happy Holiday!
Actually, what I hate about the whole 'Happy Holidays' thing is the way it's become so 'political', like the person feels like they have to 'correct' you if you say 'Merry Christmas'.
ReplyDeleteYour music teacher probably has some 'cover' because she's Jewish herself; if she were even a nominal Christian, she'd be open to accusations of 'proselytism', but since she's Jewish, everybody knows that's not the case.
I'm actually in quite a bit of agreement with you here. I'd MUCH rather say, "Let's all learn about each other's religions", than "We all have different religions, so let's not talk about any of them". When I was a kid, we had Jewish kids in my classes, too, and we would learn about their Hanukkah traditions, just like you did. Of course, that's because of the way Hanukkah 'aligns' with Christmas on the calendar; if we really wanted to learn about Judaism, we'd learn about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but those happen early in the school year, and there's no 'analogous' Christian holiday.
I recall a JW kid in one of my classes, who wouldn't say the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the class, first thing in the morning, but that's about the extent of what I remember. And of course, nobody says the Pledge anymore, anyway. . .
Sorry for the novel; good post.
Craig - I can only speak as to what happens in our district. None of the high school band, choir or orchestra directors are Jewish, and they still all choose religious songs to perform. I'm always surprised, but like I said, I think until someone complains, they will just keep doing it. It might help that the high school is known for its popular and superior (in ratings) music dept, so maybe complainers realize they won't get much support?
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't understand why all just don't celebrate with each other. I think the more we learn about other religions and cultures the more respect there is there. And that is what is lacking today. We should do something or not do something because it is PC, but because we are respectful of other people.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that respect and common sense are the two most LACKING attributes today.
I don't think learning about a variety of religious traditions is a bad thing at all - as long as they are taught as culture and not as Truth. I think the problems arise not is schools where they celebrate many religious customs but in schools where they only celebrate Christian customs. And I'm inclined to agree with Craig about Hannukah - throwing in a dreidel at Christmas time while ignoring the major Jewish holidays isn't adequate. But while schools are teaching about different cultures they need to throw in Islam and non-Abrahamic religions as well.
ReplyDeleteI would never be offended by hearing Merry Christmas, just as I would not be offended by being offered appropriate greetings from any other religions' holy days (holidays). I don't believe any of them, so I just take it as someone wishing me well.
(Incidentally, Quakers don't say the pledge of allegiance either, because of a moral stance against taking oaths.)
When I was at school, Jewish kids were a very very large population- still a "minority", but I'd guess from the neighborhood, probably 40%; and we always got to talk about the different traditions, and even Yom Kippur & Rosh Hoshana.
ReplyDeleteBut, I knew nothing of Diwali until very recently, at work- where we've begun having specific days for all kinds of backgrounds, for everyone to get a chance to learn of other traditions.
Parly due to our own workforce's makeup, of course, but I find it fascinating and thought it was a good thing for the company to encourage.
So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Peaceful Diwali to you :)
It's so ironic that you shared this post today because as you know, I'm in retail, so I've experienced this MANY times during this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteAs Craig shared, this whole thing has become so "politically" correct that you feel hesitant to say, "Merry Christmas" in stead of "Happy Holidays" because you fear offending people who celebrate different holidays.
I've had MANY people correct me when I've said both "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" so no matter what I say, it seems to be wrong to someone.
I grew up in a melting pot of various cultures, so to me, I've always enjoyed knowing about everyone's beliefs and customs which might be different than mine.
Personally, I try to be conscious of all the different holidays and beliefs, whether people celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever and acknowledge them with a greeting.
I think because Christmas and Hanukkah run so close together, they become blurred together. I have many friends who are Jewish, so I say, "Happy Hanukkah" to them, and "Merry Christmas" to those who are Christian.
Great post topic!
X
my two cents from living overseas in a country where there was a real melting pot. in trinidad there are a lot of christians of various types, as well as hindus and muslims. pretty much everyone celebrates everyone else's holidays. the general consensus is...the more holidays, the more fun. it was very liberating.
ReplyDeleteTalk about a melting pot since we moved to Southern California, there are so many different people and cultures here it is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with people celebrating their religions and holidays the way they are accustomed, but on the same token I don't feel I should feel that I have to change mine due to offending someone else.
I agree with you 100% we have to stop feeling offended because someone else is different, we need to celebrate our differences and realize that we all are breathing the same air and living together on the same planet, if we were all the same then life would be really boring.
I say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever comes up at the time, whatever my neighbor says in celebration of their holiday I just pray that they choose to share it with me because I am always ready to share mine with them too.
Excellent post my Friend.
yeah, big whoop on alla that garbage. complainers gotta complain. as soon as someone complained about saying it someone complained about NOT saying it and the battle began. seriously, there are things to worry about and things to just shaddap about.
ReplyDeletelike the former argument about shortening Christmas to Xmas that consumed the generation prior to ours. just as ignorant were they as merry xmas actually had its origins in Christian history. honest. look it up.
the only objection i have is when one is coerced into participating in religious rituals in the name of tolerance and/or learning. one of the daughters was pressured to participate in 'harmless' transcendental meditation techniques as part of learning tolerance. not that i'm saying it would necessarily lead to harm but tolerance is not made of coercing someone to participate in an activity they don't believe in.
our school district choral program uses spiritual songs and gets away with it because they're most available and most challenging. i imagine that will change.
I think it's sad that so many good practices are excluded rather than included.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must admit to having a hard time understanding why people get all riled up when someone says Happy Holidays. I think it's a nice sentiment.
We were in a drugstore the other day and the clerk said Merry Christmas when we finished checking out. I almost dropped my jaw since I thought it was more politically correct with Happy Holidays. I did manage to say Merry Christmas back; seems like we had been programmed to say Happy Holidays for way too long.
ReplyDeleteHubby helps out at a public school in the band department with the guitar students. Last year at their concert they did play some "religious" songs; he did a solo of Silent Night, no one said anything and all enjoyed the music played. I was half expecting someone to say something.
Years ago son went to school with a family that was Jehovah Witness. The boys were always so sad when it was a party; they would have to go and sit in the office during that time. I wonder years later what their faith may be, if anything.
Merry Christmas!
betty
Kat - good point! We could stand a lot more common sense and respect in this world.
ReplyDeleteAgent - you are right on when you say that a holiday greeting should be taken as wishing someone well. And I hope that most kids have learned about the major religions in social studies by 6th grade.
Sailor - I'm sort of surprised that your company has special holidays. What a nice way to learn about other customs, from the people themselves.
Ron - I knew you'd enjoy this topic! Working with the public, you know you will upset someone. Hope folks are treating you with respect this season.
Lime - you can never have too many holidays, esp when good food is included.
Jimmy - hopefully, each generation is becoming more tolerant. I think there's a big difference when I look at my parents vs my own children, but then I see some 20something nutcase on TV and I'm not so sure.
ReplyDeleteX - I remember the Xmas issue. Dumb! I agree that you do need to draw a line between learning and participating. I'd be appalled if someone forced communion on a non- Christian.
Flutter - a hearty Happy Holidays to you! Hope you are having a wonderful week :)
Betty - I have been noticing that I've only received a Merry Christmas this year, no Happy Holiday. I always tell them thank you, same to you, no matter what the greeting.
Hey there Bijoux,
ReplyDeleteI love these type of musings that you do because they make me realize how society has changed since I left the country. ..
I would be equally respectable of one or other greeting;
I definately agree in sharing of customs and traditions of other cultures and religious traditons! I grew up in Hawaii where everyone is of mixed heritage so you mix and match a lot of traditions!
The more we get exposed to this cross cultural sharing as children, the more well-rounded and open we are as adults.
Have a great day!
I agree, I don't know why people make such a fuss about other people's holidays or rituals or religions or whatever. Each to her own, what's the problem? Let's just all enjoy ourselves in whatever way suits us best.
ReplyDeleteBarb - Hawaiian culture would be fascinating to me. You have truly lived a multicultural lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteNick - it would be a better place, wouldn't it?