University of Central Florida professor Terri Fine wants Americans to stop wishing each other “Merry Christmas” and begin using the more inclusive “Happy Federal Holiday” instead.
In a Wedneday column on the UCF website titled “A Holiday Greeting That Applies to Everyone,” Fine argues that “Happy Federal Holiday” is a more inclusive holiday greeting than saying “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Chanukah,” or even “Happy Holidays.”
Part of the problem, Dr. Fine explains, is that “People wish each other ‘Merry Christmas’ whether they know the other person’s religious background or not,” even though Christmas occurs around the same time frame as Hanukkah (which Fine refers to as “Chanukah”). Simply saying both “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Chanukah,” Fine argues, isn’t appropriate because “Christmas is one of the two holiest days for Christians, while Chanukah is a minor holiday on the calendar.”
Using both greetings, Fine says, is insulting to both Christians—by implying Christmas is a minor holiday—and Jews—by denying “the holiness associated with the major Jewish holy days and festivals.”
The Nutty Professor's contact info:
- 407-823-2081
- Terri.Fine@ucf.edu
None of ,y Jewish friends object to being wished Merry Christmas, They are pleased by it. The circles I travel in find me being wished Shabbat Shalom and other good things. When I was in Thailand my friends wished me tidings referencing events they celebrate. I felt honored.
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