I wouldn’t want someone to reply through gritted teeth which is why I said “it is also the greeting receivers right to say in return Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa or Merry Christmas (based on their beliefs of course).”

Thanks for stopping by and for keeping the Vol spirit alive in London.

I might say Happy Holidays if I’m unlikely to see a person again until the next year. On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, I’m definitely wishing someone Merry Christmas (or sometimes Happy Christmas - since this is England) since that’s the holiday I’m thinking of.

But I don’t feel very merry if someone’s saying Merry Christmas through gritted teeth in response to my well meant Happy Holidays that folks have said for years without comment.

I debated on posting on this too. I don’t think that it is a matter of religion as it is a matter of Anti-Religion (not Atheism, I mean Anti-Religionists). I have great friends who are Jewish and Muslim. I tell them Merry Chistmas and they respond with their holiday greeting of choice. We are both happy and expressing a greeting that has a positive and gracious benefit to the recipient.

I have a friend who tells me “A salaam alaikum” every time he sees me. I respond with a “Peace be unto you too brother”. We hug or shake hands and continue on with our meeting. Should I be offended that he chose not to speak to me in english? Why? He was offering me a positive and gracious greeting that meant something great to him. I can appreciate it for what it was. A statement of love towards your brother man.

I would no more be offended if the Jewish girl I dated offered me a Happy Hanukkah. Or the mexican guys I used to run with as a kid would say Feliz Navidad or my Athiest friend when he says gesundheit when I sneeze instead of “God Bless You” (by the way he celebrate Christmas anyway for the fun of it). He may not believe in God, but he is wishing me good health in his own way.

Even Starbucks changed their packaging this year from Holiday Blend to Chritmas Blend. I hope you all noticed.

We need to understand the person and the greeting and not get hung up on the religion or lack thereof. If someone offers you a greeting of love and brotherhood - accept it for what it is. Don’t think that someone is attacking you or your religion because they say Happy Hanukkah and vice versa. And don’t back down from it because some fascist wants to control you by dictating some “socially approved” vocabulary.

I am happy to get any positive greeting from anyone, of any color, at any time, from any religion or culture. As long as it is positive and gracious.

Merry Christmas to everyone.