You're a Mean One, Grinch Alert

[paft.livejournal.com]

Robert Jeffress:

Well, you know every year people bemoan the War on Christmas and I thought, “Let’s do something positive about it,” so we created this website, Grinchalert.com, it allows people to go on our website and, uh, if they’ve encountered a business that shuns Christmas they can talk about it and put that business on the naughty list but if they find a business that celebrates Christmas, they can put that business on the nice list. It’s just a fun way to say to businesses and organizations, “You don’t have to bow to political correctness. It’s okay to say, “Merry Christmas…”

John Roberts: What if businesses who are on the naughty list lose customers?... Would it be a good idea to affect people’s business at this season, which can be make or break for some people, and in this economic climate?

Jeffress: John, let me make it clear, we have never even hinted at a boycott…

"Never even hinted at a boycott?" Really? Here’s what Jeffress said on Fox:

Jeffress: One great example in the Dallas area, there was a bank that took down a Christmas tree because they said it would offend customers. Well, there was another bank that got put on our nice list, the Providence Bank, because they put up a nativity scene. The CEO told me yesterday that there were customers changing from the bank that removed the Christmas tree, and they’re flocking to his bank.

Gretchen Carlson: You are not calling for a boycott of any of these businesses….

Jeffress: Oh, not at all, not in any way! You know, there’s a Mexican restaurant you mentioned that was saying Happy Holidays, but our family still goes there every week…

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

So it’s all about reassuring businesses. Honest! It’s all about making them feel nice and safe. He’s not advocating a boycott.

But he’s delighted to share as an example that little story of a bank losing customers because they took down a Christmas tree.

See, here's what mystifies me about this... Jeffress likes the idea of forcing other people and businesses to utter "Merry Christmas" and post signs saying "Merry Christmas" who are uncomfortable doing it. Do the people at "Grinch Alert" really imagine that businesses and retailers intimidated into towing Grinch Alert's line are acting in the spirit of the season?

And here's one more video, especially for the Reverend Mr. Jeffress:

Thanx to Juliebogen

Crossposted at Thoughtcrimes

Comments

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

If by "these people" you mean paft and people like her, then yes.

[qnetter]

So, "religious freedom" fan, when I walk into a store and someone says, "Merry Christmas," it's OK if I express my feelings by saying, "Fuck you, how dare you assume I'm an idol-worshipper like you are? And why do you insult the memory of that nice Jewish boy by cult-worshipping him?"... I'm just avoiding being PC?

[qnetter]

Is the assumption that I celebrate Christmas respectful?

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

Is the assumption mean? I think its just a bit clueless tis all.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

You don't have to celebrate it to be aware of it. It's the person saying Merry Christmas to you who is celebrating it. It doesn't matter if you celebrate it or not.

[qnetter]

Enjoy the next time five of my friends fuck your butt, then.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

[seek error]

huh?

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

So you reserve the right to be easily offended and to gratuitously offend?

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

Is the assumption that I celebrate Christmas respectful?

Its neither respectful or otherwise. Its just an assumption.

My favorite quip is from Daniel Dennet. He was sick in the hospital and someone told him they would pray for him. He replied, "Gee, will you sacrifice a goat too?". LOL - Must remember that one!

Atheists should have a bit thicker skin. We live on a planet with tons of religiously deluded folks, so either leave the planet or learn to get along with the deluded respectfully.

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

The goat is good, heck I'll will prly never use it, but I will definitely share it.
My first reaction is to do just that (pray for someone) but people can be uncomfortable with it, so I've learned not to say anything. I came to this conclusion when once, in a discussion a known pagan offered to pray for me, I was a bit taken aback and the snide part of me wanted to say something equivalent to your quip. But before anything nasty came out I just smiled and said thank you.
My problem with this thread is there are so many thin skins, most people don't really mean anything negative by wishing someone a Merry Christmas...You seem to get it ;) Altho a greeting does not imply a religious delusion, if I say "have a good evening" it's not because I worship Selena. :D

[a-new-machine.livejournal.com]

Polite society is the act of facing such minor disrespect with dignity. And I say that as an atheist.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

"Fuck you, how dare you assume I'm an idol-worshipper like you are?"

Because that equates to "happy holidays"....nice.

[qnetter]

My point is that expecting people not to say "Merry Christmas" to people who don't celebrate it and have had to live under the assumption that if you're not a Christian you're a second-class citizen is not a "freedom of speech" issue.

When I hear "Merry Christmas" in many of those settings, I hear people saying "If you aint Christian you aint shit."

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Maybe you need to adjust your hearing then...

[qnetter]

Ever been a discriminated-against minority?

With the Klan around...

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

... it's not safe to speak that way.

[new-wave-witch.livejournal.com]

You'd better start being more covert with this shit, dude. She's going to find out you have a crush on her.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Subtlety is so last century.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

You have anything of substance to add to that personal attack?

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Just look through the rest of the threads.