Monday, December 1, 2008

It's a Christmas Holiday Season Get Together

As I opened the door to the refrigerator and placed my coffee cup in there to warm it up, two thoughts occurred to me nearly simultaneously: coffee warming is usually performed in the microwave and once again 'tis the season to get all bent out of shape over what to call the season.

Having hot coffee in hand --not literally -- I have to say I don't see the big deal. What's the big deal about calling it Christmas. I mean, seriously, it's always been Christmas (or at least for quite a long time). I have no problem referring to the season as the Christmas season -- and I'm an agnostic bordering on atheism.

But I'm also not a hysterical agnostic bordering on atheism. I recognize there are certain constants in our society and one of them is the holiday labeled Christmas. Now, to be sure, I also don't get bent out of shape when some business decides to refer to the season in a more generic way for fear of offending shoppers. Isn't it their right to do so?

Apparently not at the cost of slamming the sensitivities of the sensitive sort. I'm amused at this bitter dichotomy conservatives seem to suffer from all the time. One example: we should not ban cigarette smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places the conservative argument goes, because it will likely hurt business and shouldn't we leave it to businesses to make these sorts of decisions? And yet, when businesses make decisions like seasonal name-calling, suddenly they're in cahoots with Marxist leftists?

People. Take a deep breath. The one truism of the season is it's a time of giving and for love. Relax. Let it go. Celebrate and/or worship as you deem appropriate and don't let it bother you too much.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

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capper said...

I like your blog too. Can I leave a plug for my site?

Seriously, though, well said, sir.

And not so seriously,

Cognitive Dissidence - and I won't try to sell you anything.

Billiam said...

Actually, the argument that many conservatives have about smoking in restaurants, is that it should be up to the owner. I also agree, that if the store wants to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, then they should. If I choose not to shop somewhere because they don't say MC, that's my choice. Just as it is to decide to eat or not in a place that allows smoking. As a smoker, I prefer to sit in non-smoking, as most of my friends don't engage in cancer sticks, but then, that's just me...

Billiam said...

BTW, it's also Egg Nog season! YEA!!! I love that stuff!!!

Other Side said...

Actually, the argument that many conservatives have about smoking in restaurants, is that it should be up to the owner.

I thought I wrote that, Bill? Still, egg nog is great!

Billiam said...

Bad duct tape... what can I say... Also, it snowed on me...