Because whether a store uses the phrase "Season", "Holiday" or "Christmas", Christ isn't in shopping malls purchases, isn't in store displays, isn't on shelves, isn't at checkout counters, and isn't in advertizing.
I think the main reason why the "happy holidays" greeting bothers some of us is not because we object to the phrase by itself, but because we are tired of seeing our freedoms erode while our Christian brothers and sisters stand idly by and pander to the PC crowd.
It is heartwrenching to see what America is becoming, and sadder still to see that Christians don't seem to care anymore.
While saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas" may seem like a small thing, it shows the direction in which we are headed.
We would do well to heed the warning signs.
Satan wants to silence us Christians in every way possible, and he's using the PC crowd to accomplish that goal.
Today, it's the schools teaching "diversity."
Tomorrow, it could mean closing down a church for "offending" someone with political incorrectness.
Personal freedoms are not dictated by how private businesses advertize.
So, is that what it's come down to?
If a Christian isn't bothered by "Happy Holidays", then they "don't care" about the erosion of personal freedoms?
That's an incredibly huge leap.
We would do better to wield discernment.
If every store in American ceased using "Happy Holidays" and started using "Merry CHristmas" instead, Christ would not be any more present.
So did the Puritans who came to establish the Plymouth Colony.
Talk about an incredible stretch!
A perfect example of why discernment needs to be practiced more.
There's no connection between what how a private business advertizes and personal freedoms. To claim such a link exists makes the Christian witness look like buffoonery.
Is that what it's come to? Insulting members of the brethren to make your point? I didn't know you were capable of being that infantile.
Especially you of all people, for whom I have great respect.
No, don't bother.
Not necessary.
Knowing you weren't trying to insult is sufficient.
I'd rather engage in discussions of disagreement and grow, rather than engage in no discussion and remain stagnant.
A mere poor attempt at rhetoric through semantic ambiguity; I said nothing about the Christmas season being a doctrine, but addressed that time as one “in season”. I clearly used “in season” as meaning an opportune time, referenced to and addressed in 2Tim 4:2, post #81. I also spelled out the responsibilities pertaining to being instant in preaching the Word, “defense” if you like, and the warnings from within the rest of that biblical passage.
It is a small God who can be removed by people not using a trite phrase like "Merry Christmas". Besides, who even uses the word "merry" anymore in everyday speech?
Exactly. Maybe I have been gone from America too long, but I am amazed that people are so meant out of shape because the world will not bend to the church's preferences.
'Say Merry Christmas to me! DON'T you dare say Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Eid al-Adha!'
Who do Christians think we are that the world should treat us special? Jesus told us just the opposite!
Several of the churches I have been in at Christmas time also don't allow them. If we did not meet in a community centre I doubt that we would have one.