# How offensive is "Merry Christmas" to a Jew? (Bill O'Riley situation) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 4, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008 "2005-12-04T06:41:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Race\_Bannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/1 "2005-12-04T06:41:33Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/2 "2005-12-04T06:49:23Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/3 "2005-12-04T06:57:42Z")
If someone wished me a “Happy Hannukah” I wouldn’t be offended. in fact, many of my freinds are Pagans and wish me a “Happy Solstice” or whatever. Christmas is there on the calender, like it or not. Wishing that someone has a pleasant Dec 25th is hardly offensive. Of course- O’Riley is suc an asshole idiot that he likely meant it to be offensive. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Race\_Bannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/4 "2005-12-04T06:59:58Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > 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”. ---
**Author:** ![Race\_Bannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/5 "2005-12-04T07:05:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Christmas is there on the calender, like it or not. Wishing that someone has a pleasant Dec 25th is hardly offensive. Yeah, but my point would be more like: “Have a nice day” - not offensive “Have a celbration of Jesus as God-on-earth” - to a Jew, would be blasphemy. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/6 "2005-12-04T07:11:11Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/7 "2005-12-04T08:08:32Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/8 "2005-12-04T08:14:36Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/9 "2005-12-04T08:21:26Z")
“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. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/10 "2005-12-04T08:22:37Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > 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.” 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. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/11 "2005-12-04T08:38:37Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > There seems to be a movement afoot to politicize the phrase “Merry Christmas.” 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. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/12 "2005-12-04T08:46:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > 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. Strange days. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/13 "2005-12-04T08:46:44Z")
> [@Race Bannon](#): > > My reaction to O’Riley’s comment was that Bill was deliberately being a dick. Which is pretty much anytime he deals with the daily show, or anyone he doesn’t agree with. I think he’s just Jealous because Steven Colbert does a better O’Reilly then he does. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/14 "2005-12-04T08:56:02Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Not just that, I can understand wanting to make Christmas more religious than commercial. 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. ---
**Author:** ![OliverTwistofLime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b487fb/32.png) [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/15 "2005-12-04T09:10:35Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/16 "2005-12-04T09:13:31Z")
> [@OliverTwistofLime](#): > > I loathe political correctness… This sounds like a bad case for complaining about political correctness, though, especially since this year, Hanukkah and Christmas start on the same day. > [@](#): > > To forbid a business or anyone for saying Merry Xmas is totally rediculous in my opinion. Nobody’s been forbidden to do anything as far as I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/17 "2005-12-04T10:51:17Z")
Christmas: It’s not just for christians anymore! 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”. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/18 "2005-12-04T14:38:24Z")
I think Jon Stewart should send Mr. O’Reilly a nice christmas present. Perhaps a dildo and half an hour of free phone sex. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/19 "2005-12-04T15:26:33Z")
Jew guy checking in … 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. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008/20 "2005-12-04T15:35:02Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > 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. 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? Daniel [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008.md?page=2)