"Christmas" Politically Incorrect!?

[llama]

In Canada, the word "Christmas" is now politically incorrect because it has "Christ" in it. The government claims this is everyones holiday now and not just Christians and it is frowned down upon for business to write "Merry Christmas" on thier windows or something. Some prefered mesages are "Happy Holidays, seasons greetings, and merry giving" I think this is absoloutley retarded. Is it like this in the US as well?

[Ethiopian-Fat-Camp]

Hold on, let me check.

::looks out the room window::

...nope.

On a serious note, I think that is a crock of shit as well. In america, its one thing to take out "...under god" in the pledge of allegance because it contradicts freedom of religion by specifying a certain belief into a NATIONAL symbol. However, if our govt...(actually, some clod citizen would do this first by complaining) were to suppose that "Merry Christmas" wasn't P.C., then that would be inane.
What about Happy Chaunaka (or however the fuck you spell it), or Queezy Kwanza! Do they not allow that? Merry Christmas is an expression formulated by almost all citizens, even non-gentiles. By taking away our right to say that, it would go against freedom of speech and religion.
Hearing about this in Canada, tho i love Canada, kinda scares me as to what direction their govt. wants to take socialism. Though not a blatently declared socialist nation, it has its socialist roots, three times more than america does. But if thats the direction they want to take socialist influence, its a waste of time and poorly represents it.
In conclusion, The proposition by the Canadian Govt. of discouraging the phrase "merry christmas" violates the peoples' rights to speech and their right to religion. It is a paranoid defense of an issue that is not even threatening the govt. Finally, as a side point, the proposition poorly represents their methods of government, regardless of whether the citizens see their country as a socialist, democratic, or a represenative government.

...kill whitey.

[Ethiopian-Fat-Camp]

sorry about the bad grammar there

[MarijuanaClock]

I really couldn't care.

People should be able to decorate their businesses however they want.

Still I couldn't give a damn one way or another.

[Raptorman]

I wouldn't sweat the pledge thing. It was a desition by the ultra left 9th circut court. They have had 16 of their last 20 desitions overturned more then any other TWO district courts.

[Kev-Dawg]

No politician (or anybody, for that matter) has realized that when that amendment was written, about the "seperation of church and state," it only meant that we would NOT elect a national church. Of course, back then, everybody in the US was Christian in one way or another, they didn't anticipate anyone of any other religion coming into the country.

[Ethiopian-Fat-Camp]

I have to disagree there. the amendment wasn't written for the sole purpose of saying that there would not be a national church. Many of the minds who made this country were very much influenced by the way many things were going on in Europe as to religious toleration. During their meeting of the second continental congress, which made the roots for the bill of rights being created thereafter, one of their main goals while creating a new nation was to NOT turn out like many European nations. This is one reason why they did not want a national church, however, that wasn't the primary reason at all.

Our country decided that we DIDN'T want to have a central church because of what they saw in europe. America's history of the various religious groups: Puritans, Quakers, Catholics, Anglicans, Calvanists, and Lutherans; America didn't want to piss anyone off by having a single religion to represent the nation. Had that been done, it would be like the Spanish Inquisition, where the entire middle class comprised of Jews and Muslims fled the country. Not only the Inquisition, but when King James introduced the Church of England where he denied the Pope, that cause major religious confusion and turmoil. This was another example. This cover's Kev_Dawg's point.

Since we know that our nation was created from example, we can look at the influence in the east. The recent influences would be the Enlightened Despots, such as Frederick II of Prussia, who began to allow religious toleration. We then see Joseph II of Austria become even MORE religiously tolerant, AND of a NON-CHRISTIAN GROUP, the jews.

The desposts were not enlightened on their own, however. The Enlightenment period came from the new birth of analytical thinking, and soon after created the Philisophs. Particularly the philisoph Voltaire, who stated "I may not agree with your belief, but I will fight with my life your right to believe it." Banjamin Franklin and Voltaire had a couple of personal run-ins, and thus brought some more direct influence from the east. Voltaire aided Frederick II in his endeavors and introduced a new level of religious toleration.
Another example would be the French revolution. America was scared SHITLESS of what was going on there when the new french gov't started to place control over religion. People had to chose between loving their state, or loving their religion. If this issue had risen during the birth of a new nation, the constitutional congress would have been a waste of time.

The right to religion wasn't ENTIRELY based on not having a central government, but also tolerating ALL religions in order to prevent dissention, loss of citizenship, or even worse, rebellion.

...kill whitey

[Avary]

At 12/7/02 04:18 PM, Digital_Chameleon wrote: In Canada, the word "Christmas" is now politically incorrect because it has "Christ" in it. The government claims this is everyones holiday now and not just Christians and it is frowned down upon for business to write "Merry Christmas" on thier windows or something. Some prefered mesages are "Happy Holidays, seasons greetings, and merry giving" I think this is absoloutley retarded. Is it like this in the US as well?

In Quebec we can still say "Joyeux Noel" (Happy Christmas) but we are now forbidden to say "Boxing Day". We have to say "Solde d'apres-Noel" (After Christmas rebates). And the language police (It exists!) will enforce this new rule upon busineses.

What the f*ck is going on here?

[MonkeyMan-Inc]

Hold on does Canada have a language police?If so that is fucked up!!!!!!!!

[MarijuanaClock]

At 12/8/02 01:58 AM, MonkeyMan_Inc wrote: Hold on does Canada have a language police?If so that is fucked up!!!!!!!!

Yes the frogs get all bitchy if we don't preserve their culture. hahaha.

[Avary]

At 12/8/02 01:58 AM, MonkeyMan_Inc wrote: Hold on does Canada have a language police?If so that is fucked up!!!!!!!!

Just in Quebec, one of Canada's provinces. It's a nanny state even more totalitarian than the old Soviet Union.

But Canada has this problem of being anxious not to offend anyone. And who displeases nobody is insignificant.

[IraqNOphobiA]

Jeez I though Canada was a free Country!
You'r f*cking around with me! this cant be true!
Further more it's not the governments concern, how people want to call holliday's!
This, if true, is simply discrimination of christians.
I dont know about Canada, but the first line in the constitusion of my country is;

in english;

"anybody living in the Netherlands wil be treated equal. Discrimination of relegion, way of life, political beliefs, race and gender in any possible way is strickly forbidden."

in dutch;
Allen die zich in Nederland bevinden, worden in gelijke gevallen gelijk behandeld. Discriminatie wegens godsdienst, levensovertuiging, politieke gezindheid, ras, geslacht of op welke grond dan ook, is niet toegestaan.

article # 6
in english;
Anybody has the right to pratice their religion or way of life, individually or commonly.

in dutch;
Artikel 6. lid 1. Ieder heeft het recht zijn godsdienst of levensovertuiging, individueel of in gemeenschap met anderen, vrij te belijden.

Am I wrong to presume that you have something simular to this in Canada? if so, then your government, who has to protect your rights, is discriminating.

[IraqNOphobiA]

pardon my english

[Avary]

The US Bill of Rights states that Freedom of Speech "shall not be infringed".

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that Canadians have freedom of self-expression BUT... as long as it doesn't offend anyone. That does not leave a lot to express.

But really the canadian government doesn't have to repress the people into insignificance. Candians can do that by themselves.

[MarijuanaClock]

At 12/8/02 12:24 PM, Avary wrote: The US Bill of Rights states that Freedom of Speech "shall not be infringed".

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that Canadians have freedom of self-expression BUT... as long as it doesn't offend anyone. That does not leave a lot to express.

But really the canadian government doesn't have to repress the people into insignificance. Candians can do that by themselves.

What the hell are you talking about? This from an American? Where the Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act were passed without an inch of resistence. Both of those acts made your Bill of Rights worth-less. Get off your soap box and look the fuck around.

Secondly the gov't isn't forcing anyone one to do anything here, they are suggesting that they not use "merry christmas," however, they are not forcing anyone not to use it.

Lastly read the Canadian Charter of Rights before you start talking about it for christ sakes:

Fundamental Freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of cummunication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.

15.(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benifit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object that amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disabilty.

[EZ3]

ya, people should be able to decorate their buisness however they want. I don't think of christmas as christ's birthday, i think of it more as free shit for me. But america should take off "In God We Trust" from their bills, and take all the god shit off their ... shit.

[Avary]

At 12/8/02 03:20 PM, MarijuanaClock wrote:

At 12/8/02 12:24 PM, Avary wrote: The US Bill of Rights states that Freedom of Speech "shall not be infringed".

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that Canadians have freedom of self-expression BUT... as long as it doesn't offend anyone. That does not leave a lot to express.

But really the canadian government doesn't have to repress the people into insignificance. Candians can do that by themselves.

What the hell are you talking about? This from an American? Where the Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act were passed without an inch of resistence. Both of those acts made your Bill of Rights worth-less. Get off your soap box and look the fuck around.

Ok, ok put the lead pipe down, please :). I'm from Quebec City, Quebec. And this morning when I woke up Quebec was still part of Canada. I hope.

I tend to see things on the dark side, but I must admit that we can be proud to have Don Cherry! ^_^

Cheers, man.

[Avary]

But more about the politically correct canadian disease and to understand how and why the state doesn't need to force people at gunpoint check this website out: Subversive Liberty at http://www.pierrelemieux.org

[MarijuanaClock]

At 12/8/02 06:25 PM, Avary wrote:

Ok, ok put the lead pipe down, please :). I'm from Quebec City, Quebec. And this morning when I woke up Quebec was still part of Canada. I hope.

I tend to see things on the dark side, but I must admit that we can be proud to have Don Cherry! ^_^

Cheers, man.

Sorry man, I thought you were a Yank.

^^;

[RandomFreak]

Well I'm with them in as much as the emphasis on Christmas is kinda rediculous, though this might be a little much.

[llama]

let me remind you all it's not illegal to say christmas, just frowned upon.

[Angryjeff]

this is the same idiocy that i hear every hear around halloween. Christmas is no longer a religios holiday, u can celebrate it as one but what about all the atheist who celebrate christmas we jsut want presents damnit lol. I can understand some people wouldn't want to be offended but comeon this is jsut taking it to far. It's not even a matter of religious freedom as i've said before and i'll say again, it's jsut common sense

(this again proves though that people in general are indeed stupid)

[Freakapotimus]

I don't believe that celebrating Christmas or saying or displaying "Merry Christmas" is politically incorrect, but I do think that it should not be a national holiday, since it is a Christian religious holiday.

Some people are calling for a boycott of the USPS because they have, for sale, postal stamps commemorating the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

However, the USPS also has, for sale, stamps commemorating the Christian, Jewish, and African-American holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

If one set of stamps is "politically incorrect" then I propose them to all be PI.

Come on, how sore can you be?

[IraqNOphobiA]

Merry Christmass ... Happy hollidays who gives a shit!
Bottom line is that X-mas was a f*cking Pagan/barbaric/heathen Holliday where the tribes in northern Europe burned and danced around Tree's to Cellibrate one of thier many gods!

It was Christianized when the Chatholics overrun Europe Outlawing any other faith.

Ow and Santa Claus is another fat heathen bastard from Scandinavia!

with so many words to be offended by! I dont really think any sane person could be offended by the words merry christmas!

A Merry Christian Christmass to all you stupid-ass, dumbf*cking Canadian idiotS! And a Happy new year!

Well are you offended?

[Angryjeff]

well your smart insulting all the canadains except for the fact every canadain whos' posted agrees that making it politiccly incorrect is a dumb idea

[Askey18]

The whole thing is stupid. Growing up in my hometown we always had lights downtown of santa and other things that represent Christmas. But in the past few years they've stopped putting them up because it wasn't PC. This is a crock of shit! Buisnesses should be able to do whatever they goddam well want to when it comes to celebrating the holidays. Excuse me, CHRISTmas. My parents own a small buisness, and I make sure that it says merry christmas in the windows.

[whiteboyfalldown]

Hey asshole Im from Canada and the revoked that bill one day after it came out God you americans listen to anything Cnn tells you.