I want to begin by apologizing for my delayed blog for week 4. Every day I read up on my groups in my forum and since it's Christmas time, there's a lot of talk relating to Christmas. I noticed that moms usually post simple questions like "Bags or Boxes?" and "Christmas dinner or order in?". I also noticed they do a lot of "bumping", which I think is similar to Facebook's "poking". I've been on the look-out for any relations to Christ for CHRISTmas, which there was a few. Growing up, I've only known about "Merry Christmas", not "Happy Holidays", and singing "Silent Night". These days it seems like there's more and more people who choose to not have any relations to Jesus during Christmas. I make sure that my children know the truth and spread the Good News! I'm one of the happy Christians walking around saying "Rejoice, Jesus is born!".
On December 2, there was a post that asked "Does someone saying 'Merry Christmas!' offend you if you don't celebrate Christmas?" and I was surprised at the comments. Majority of the ladies mentioned that they don't get offended at all, as long as it was a polite greeting they would just say "Thank you or Happy Holidays". There was even a Muslim lady who commented and said that she responds "Same to you". She further explains that if the person gets offended she didn't say "Merry Christmas" back she would tell them "that's their issue, if they really started being an a-- about it". She goes on talking about Jesus and that he wasn't even born in December and the history of the key parts in the bible that clue you in on.
After reading these comments on this post, I realized that there's more non-believers then I thought, but there pretty much respectful towards other's beliefs. It doesn't change what I would say during this Christmas season- I won't begin saying Happy Holidays just because there are others out there who don't believe. Regardless, the season is CHRISTmas! I'll leave it at that....
It seems like your blog does raise some controversial questions. It makes sense since it is around the holidays, it doesn't surprise me a question like this has been brought up. I'm impartial to be honest, I have grown up saying and hearing Merry Christmas in my family, but I think at times in the classroom setting I find myself asking students what they are doing for the holiday's or winter break, instead of Christmas. I think this is habit being in the public school because of not knowing where all my students come from and what they do an do not celebrate. It does sound like for the most part you are encountering positive digital citizenship, at lease with this weeks post. I look forward to seeing what else you find and end up commenting on in the future.
ReplyDeleteShirley, I like that you are looking at seasonal issues on your blog; what a great idea! This controversial issue is one that reaches far beyond moms, but I like that you looked into the mothers' perspectives on it. As a Christian I tend to say Merry Christmas out of habit, except when I know that a friend is Jewish or Muslim and then I try to remember to say Happy Holidays out of respect for their beliefs. I personally never mind what people say to me, even Happy Hanukkah would make me happy this time of year. I think what is important is the polite nature of hoping someone enjoys this time of year no matter what it means to them.
ReplyDeleteShirley, It's so interesting that the moms in your forum are dialoguing about issues specific to the time of year. I think it is so cool that moms view this forum as a place where they can openly share their point of view with other moms, regardless of their believes or Holiday traditions. Like Shannon, I tend to say Merry Christmas because of my faith, but I know that this can be a controversial topic of discussion. I can see how moms, who are raising their children with specific belief systems, would be very passionate about this topic.
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