Should we take "Christ" out Christmas?

[Dodece]

I think the Christians in this thread have missed out on something important. Political Correctness isn't necessarily a bad thing. Most of the time it is a mark of social progress, and promotes greater respect for the individual. In this case we are talking about using wording that is inclusive and welcoming. Rather then a word that now sadly carries negative connotations. I wonder if you understand that Jesus is not the same for us outside of your faith as he is for the people inside your faith.

You have to remember Free Thinkers, Feminists, Agnostics, Atheists, Jews, Homosexuals, and people of a hundred other faiths have a entirely different view of the man. His was the name on the lips of people who persecuted, tortured, slandered, murdered, incarcerated, and committed acts of wanton genocide on us for over a millennium. Half of my childhood idols were tormented and killed in his name. So when you say that someone should offer you a greeting in his name. You should understand me when I say it is truly perverse.

Would you expect a Jew to wish people a festive celebration of Hitlers birth. Would you expect non white American to do the same for the birthday of Nathan Bedford Forrest. No you wouldn't, because you would recognize how truly distasteful that would be. So why do you expect those of us who aren't of your faith to recognize or use your gods name. When he has only ever brought us misery. You are asking that we perform acts of public self ridicule, and to live without self dignity.

I treasure freedom of speech above all things. It is the most precious thing we have. A lot of decent people had to suffer, and die so that one day there would be a world where people could speak freely. They suffered just as much as your god, and I am not going to be brow beaten into disregarding their sacrifice. You can call this holiday whatever you like, but every time you wish this holiday to one of us non believers you should know that you are being ever so subtly rude.

It isn't about self respect, or your self identity. It is about the disrespect you are showing to others. You should never want to do that to others. This is a season of peace, charity, and the joy of giving. In that spirit you should not have a problem with using a couple different words that everyone can be happy with. No matter their faith, lack of faith, tradition, or persuasion. Like I said this wasn't a issue until relatively recently when some people decided to make it a issue so they could throw it in peoples faces. They aren't just empty words anymore. They are words that can be used to hurt.