https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218543033ripcord (4,681 posts)
Wed Dec 20, 2023, 09:38 PM
I know a good number of peolle here aren't religious
But I can't see anyone here going off on preteens for a holiday greeting. Our local FFA always sells mistletoe in front of the local market and I while I was buying some a lady walked out of the store. One of the girls asked her if she wanted to buy some and was ignored, then she mades her mistake, she wished the woman Merry Christmas. This lady stalked over and started yelling at these 11 and 12 year olds because she isn't a Christian and doesn't want to hear their religious bullshit. One of the parents tried to say something but got steamrolled. I flat out told her to shut up and that I thought she was disgusting for acting this way after someone wished you well no matter what form it took.
Her night didn't get any better when she went all Karen and and complained to the manager about me and the kids, his first words were "uncle Jim what are you doing to my customers?".
From our friend TEB who has posted several times about how he has confronted people over some of the smallest stuff.
Duncanpup (12,307 posts)
2. Good for you
Eko (6,743 posts)
10. Yeah that sounds good.
Reply to ripcord (Original post)
Wed Dec 20, 2023, 10:46 PM
She obviously didn't want to be bothered, walks away without saying something then the kid yells what is generally a religious phrase at her. Not saying she was right to yell at the kid but if you told me "Ill pray for you" when I am in a bad mood you will probably get an earful from me. Don't like what I am saying back to you? Then don't say something to me. They could have easily just said have a good day but chose to say a religious phrase to them. You know what I find disgusting? Not respecting someones right to be left alone and not have religion pushed at them all the time. If you choose to exercise your freedom of speech and do so then be prepared for me to do the same.
Eko.
ripcord (4,681 posts)
11. So that is how you would treat a child who sincerely wished you well?
Eko (6,743 posts)
13. You obviously missed this part.
Reply to ripcord (Reply #11)
Wed Dec 20, 2023, 11:16 PM
"Not saying she was right to yell at the kid". That means no I wouldn't, but I understand it. They may have sincerely wished me well, but you are claiming that when you don't know that is actually true. Here, be 13 or 14 in around 1986-87, in JR High, tell someone in gym class that you believe in Jesus and all of a sudden the entire school thinks you are a devil worshiper. All your friends desert you. The principal calls your mom. Has a meeting with her and you. Sincerely asks you if you are a devil worshiper, if you want to hurt yourself, others or attack the school. Multiple meetings with counselor for months. Gets so bad not only in the school but in the neighborhood where you live you have to move. I told someone in Gym class I was an atheist and that happened. Of course mom was religious so that was great. Fast forward to now. I work in retail. I always tell people happy holidays and if they respond back merry christmas I say the same back to them. Imagine how long I would have a job if I said happy no god pagan festival back to them. If I said that back to 20 people do you think at least one would freak out to me? The martyr complex in christianity always amazes me. Hey, you can believe what you want, that's all good. But if people cant handle me saying happy no god pagan festival back to them when they say merry christmas to me, and quite a few would not, then dont say it to me.
Eko.
Eko, I think you missed this part of your post "when I am in a bad mood you will probably get an earful from me."
summer_in_TX (2,514 posts)
12. Many people who say Merry Christmas are celebrating the event just as part of their culture.
Reply to Eko (Reply #10)
Wed Dec 20, 2023, 11:15 PM
Not as a matter of religion.
My siblings and I were raised by agnostic parents. But we all enthusiastically enjoyed all decorating the house, going to see the lights displayed downtown, singing songs, and the presents. It was a wonderful family time with grandparents coming to visit.
A secular version of Christmas.
Back when I was an undergrad about fifty years ago, I've been guilty of getting all uptight and judgy about something I realized later wasn't intended the way I thought it was. I got off my high horse eventually. The culture wars have infected many on all sides with hyper-sensitivity. We used to have a cultural norm of giving others the benefit of the doubt. I miss it!
Eko (6,743 posts)
15. Sure. I agree.
Reply to summer_in_TX (Reply #12)
Wed Dec 20, 2023, 11:52 PM
But it's not a high horse. It's a really small one. Like the smallest. More people by a large margin believe in religion and it can be tiring for those of us who dont. Add in all the stress of the holidays and I can see how people can react in bad ways to others, especially since the whole christian thing is shoved down our throat for like what, 2 months? So maybe have a little bit of grace towards those that lose their patience with this whole thing and try to understand where they are coming from. Everywhere we turn it's all about Christmas, all about the birth of Christ. Can we not even walk out of a store without it being yelled to us? Is that too much to ask? Can we not walk 10 steps out of a store full of it without some kid yelling at us about it because we dont want to buy their goods? You all dont get it. It's everywhere we turn in normal times. Now, its full on.
Now do the whole 'transgender' nonsense. Who is shoving what down people's throats? Ever heard of pride month? How about this whole bunch of bullshit about 'pronouns'?
And there you are again talking about how you would yell at the kid ...
dalton99a (79,280 posts)
16. Geez. Happy [insert Religious Holiday] / Happy World Therapeutic Horticulture Day / Happy Whatever
Reply to ripcord (Original post)
Thu Dec 21, 2023, 12:08 AM
You don't have to insult people if it doesn't apply to you.
Let the kids have their fun
ExWhoDoesntCare (4,318 posts)
21. Sounds like the FFA person was tossing that out there
Reply to ripcord (Original post)
Thu Dec 21, 2023, 05:47 AM
As passive-aggressive snark. Happens all the time to people who just want to be left alone--we're treated like there's something wrong with us for not being a chatty Cathy.
If someone ignores you, leave them alone. How about trying that, rather than acting a fool?
So rather than recognize a simple greeting of well wishes and moving on because you're not a 'Chatty Cathy', you'll turn around and ... act a fool and suddenly become a CHATTY CATHY?!
Sounds like you can be manipulated rather easily.
KC
