The other day Bill O’Riley was gloating about some stores/towns that have renamed their “holiday” celebrations back to “Christmas” events. He included a clip from Comedy Central (which he called “Secular Central”). At the end he said “Merry Christmas Jon Stewart”.
Now, I watch the Daily Show often, and I think it’s pretty clear that Jon Stewart is Jewish. My reaction to O’Riley’s comment was that Bill was deliberately being a dick.
Myself, I’m atheist, and I can take someone’s “Merry Christmas” or leave it. I figure if a Christian broadcasts a “Merry Christmas” to the public, I should give him the benifit of the doubt. But to deliberately aim the comment to someone you know is Jewish strikes me as very, very rude. But, what do I know- I don’t know any Jews well enough to ask.
So, Jews, tell me- just how offensive is it if someone says to you “Merry Christmas” with an in-your-face attitude?
I’m not Jewish, but I’ll agree with you that Bill’s comment was indeed very rude, unless he somehow (:rolleyes:) was under the impression that Jon Stewart is Christian. Which I doubt. But then again, we should be used to Bill O’Reilly being a dick
I didn’t see the clip in question; what reason was given for the stores/towns changing back to Christmas celebrations? And what was in the clip from the Daily Show?
He ran a story from a mayor in some California town that changed the name of their parade back to “Christmas”, and a complete Macy’s commercial - the reason? I dunno, Bill seems to think that we’re all getting back to our Christian American roots.
The Daily show clip was - I think - a Samantha Bee spot that had a punchline something like “we can all take a day off and contemplate the separation of Church and State”.
Although, like I said above, I’m not Jewish, I did live with Jewish relatives for a while in a majority Jewish neighborhood. Frankly, I don’t think most Jews would be particularly offended if someone wished them a Merry Christmas (it would hardly be a novel experience), but it might register as a bit annoying and/or exclusionary.
But, of course, anyone saying anything to you with an “in-your-face attitude” is going to be offensive. So it just depends on the perceived tone and intent.
Well, as a Christian, I would be highly insulted if Bill wished me a Merry Christmas because, despite all his attacks on secularism, I have never seen any indication that he believes in anything.
Most normal folks wishing me a merry christmas, like a hostess at a resteraunt who doesn’t know me? Definitely not offensive in the least, it’s actually quite polite and friendly.
A person I knew who knew I was Jewish? It could go either way, I suppose. I guess that in most cases I would simply take it as warm wishes and might even respond “Thanks, you too.”
Bill O’Reilly to John Stewart? I’d assume it was a none-too-subtle and smarmy way of saying “I think this is a Christian Nation, and fuck you John Stewart.”
“Merry Christmas” wouldn’t offensive to Jewish people under normal circumstances. This is O’Reilly needling Stewart, so maybe it’s not offensive, but it’s O’Reilly being a dick. Surprise surprise.
I think you have hit upon it. There seems to be a movement afoot to politicize the phrase “Merry Christmas.” O’Reilly is not the first person I’ve heard use it with an in-your-face attitude. It’s like a show of defiance towards the secular world.
It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it, that people could try to take what’s left of Christmas - which long ago stopped being about Jesus for most people and turned into the most consumerized day imaginable - and try to make something religious and political out of it. I think Bill (and Jerry Falwell) might want to find a different holiday to use in making this statement.
Not just that, I can understand wanting to make Christmas more religious than commercial. What I don’t get is throwing a fit over the phrase “happy holidays”. As if offering good wishes to people of all religions was somehow an attack upon Christmas or Christianity.
Sure, people talk about that all the time. But this isn’t really about the commercialization, it’s mainly a protest of stores acknowledging that other people celebrate holidays this time of year, too. It doesn’t even make sense on its face. If the culture is acknowledging many holidays - Christmas, Kwanza, Hannukah - how can that be secular? It’s just stupid.
I’m guessing this campaign to save Christmas will be as successful as their last campaign of this sort.
I’m a secular Jew…Merry Christmas is a perfectly fine with me. I loathe political correctness…I celebrate Xmas…the tree, lights, presents, children with their new toys…nothing religious for me…just a fun season…
Jews who object should lighten up…
To forbid a business or anyone for saying Merry Xmas is totally rediculous in my opinion.
This sounds like a bad case for complaining about political correctness, though, especially since this year, Hanukkah and Christmas start on the same day.
Nobody’s been forbidden to do anything as far as I can tell.
This is the lamest battle I’ve seen so far. Saying “Merry Christmas” in December is like saying “How are you?” to a co-worker. It’s a standardized greeting. You don’t really expect an answer other than “you too” or “fine”.
A few years ago someone passed a table of us docs in the lunchroom and wished us all a “Merry Christamas!” Funny thing, he was Jewish, I’m Jewish, and the others at the table were a Hindu, a Moslem, and a Sikh. Only in America!
Under most circumstances nothing is meant by it … which would offend me if I was a Christian, but not as a Jew.
The religious thing I can see. The political thing is so antiChristian, it boggles the mind. Guys, do you REALLY think Jesus would want you to celebrate His brith with a smugly bullying attitude toward folks of other faiths?
