Defending "Merry Christmas"

A few years ago, I was talking to one of my co-workers at our office "Holiday Party." Another colleague came up on our conversation, and my friend, Jim, wished him a friendly "Merry Christmas." The individual so greeted was obviously bothered by this greeting. He paused and asked, "Is it?" My friend, Jim, was visibly flustered by this response. One of those heavy moments of awkwardness descended on our group. Not knowing what to do, Jim meekly offered in the form of a question: "Happy Holidays?" "There you go," said the individual, and walked off.

That moment has stuck with me over the years, as symbolic of the debate in our culture that takes place every December. Why are some people offended by "Merry Christmas"? And should it matter that they are?

Is it Wrong to Offend?

The recent societal trends toward multiculturalism and "tolerance" have brought a heavy awkwardness onto our entire society - much like the feeling that brought the above-referenced friendly office party conversation to a standstill some years ago. We're almost afraid now to proclaim anything that might offend others? And when others are offended at some belief, tradition, or greeting, we feel an urge to backpedal and make concessions to the aggrieved party. Why? Should we be so obsessively concerned with offending people?