i'm a non-practicing catholic, but 'xmas' instead of 'christmas' bothers me (and i know the 'X' actually means christ, but most don't). anyway, political correctness is getting way out of hand:

http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detai ... emid=42450

Christmas Celebrations Put Spotlight on Church-and-State Debate

A high school brass ensemble in New Jersey has been told that it cannot play instrumental versions of Christmas carols. That's just one example of several around the country where the role of religion during the holiday season has become an issue of political correctness.

In Chicago public schools, students were told to sing "We wish you a swinging holiday," instead of "We wish you a Merry Christmas."

Demetrios Stratis is one of 700 Christian lawyers across the country poised to pounce on cases such as these:

"Without Christ in the holiday celebration, what do you have? Money? Greed? What do you have? That's all that's left. So don't take Christ out of the holiday celebration."

The counter-argument here: that religion must remain private, and that openly celebrating the religious aspects of Christmas can alienate and exclude some people.

I blame Canada.

I always thought Xmas was simply an abbreviation for Christmas, not a method of political correctness.

I'll play some more devil's advocate here:

If Christmas is a religious holiday, then how is allowed to be observed by the federal gov't? Also, if someone chooses not to observe Christmas, do they have the right to observe a different holiday instead?

*looks in PD's direction*

i wrote xmas on something around my grandmother once, and she snapped "don't take the christ out of christmas," so i know a lot of folks don't see it that way.

Isn't this the script from an old South Park Christmas Special??

Just kidding...

I am one of those people who won't use "Xmas" as an abbreviation. My mom always objected to it, and I agree with her reasons.

And I hate the greed of it all. The holiday really is supposed to be about the birth of Christ, not getting as many presents as you possibly can.

Interesting. Guess that's what I get for growing up in a secular family.

I blame Canada as well. I mean who do you think installed Satan up at the North Pole, Mexicans?



Well, of course "X" is the Greek letter "chi" which is the first letter of "Christ" so it has nothing to do with political correctness. I imagine that the abbreviation is more akin to how some conservative and orthodox Jews will write "G-d" because the name of God is not to be written.

I guess there are a couple of ways that you can look at the National Holiday aspect of Christmas. One way would be to say that it is a government endorsement of religion and therefore an establishment clause violation, and unconstitutional. Or you could say that the government has made Christmas a national holiday for non-religious reasons. For example, nobody would come to work that day anyway, so you may as well just codify reality. Also, the government does not mandate any religious practice on that day, they merely give everyone the day off, and close government offices. This is no different from Labor Day or Memorial Day.

As for choosing different holiday if yoou do not observe Christmas, I would say that is up to individuals and their employers, wouldn't you say? I mean somebody has to work the movie theaters on Christmas Day, and you can bet they're making time-and-a-half to do so. Many employers use "floating holidays" that employees can choose.

--PunkDavid (looking forward to my Chinese feast on Christmas Day)

Pretty much said what I'd agree with.

I think a lot of people use "Xmas" cause they're too lazy to write out "Christmas."

Personally I think all of this BS is taken too seriously.

If people are offended by religous symbols being displayed regardless of religion, they live a sad life period. It's a non issue. It's completely insignificant to living life. Let people celebrate this season how they will within reason. If someone wants to hang a wreath on a court building or say "Merry Christmas" appreciate the centiment and go on with your merry life.

If you are athiest, agnostic, muslim, jewish what have you enjoy the holiday and celebrate life as you will.

keep christ in christmas...
hahahaha. my mother sent me some heinous forward about this. X.

Merry X-Man!

The Costanzas have their own holiday. I can never remember what it is called for some reason....

I use Xmas, but that's because it's shorter and I'm not a christian anymore.

Festivus

Ah, right. I don't know why that slips my mind so easily...

Perhaps you would if you got to experience a Festivus Miracle.

Halloween

I don't think anyone has a problem with people individually celebrating their Holidays. It's when certain holidays invade the public school system that people get upset. The Bill of rights protects us from the tyranny of the majority and therefore it is ridiculous to assume that just because most people celebrate christmas that some people don't want to celebrate it in the schools.

A student organized christmas concert = ok

A school endorsed christmas concert = not ok

Government should stay neutral on all religious concerns due to the 1st amendment.

maybe it's better not to say the name of God in vain to increase sales. maybe Xmas is better, it's a powerful symbol for those who have the eyes to see, and an abbreviation for the rest of non-iniciated.