(yes CHRISTmas party not holiday party)

[Ediacara]

So, I work at a grocery store and I arrived at six this morning. After hanging up my coat and clocking in I pass by a bulletin board, and on the board is a printout that says the following:

STORE CHRISTMAS PARTY
(yes CHRISTmas party not holiday party)

And then a sign up sheet for items to bring.

I was frankly flabergasted, but seeing that it was six in the morning, I wasn't sure what I was thinking... I'm an agnostic, I celebrate Christmas though in the gifts and dinner sense, and I honestly don't have a problem with winter parties being called Christmas parties (unless of course it's made overtly religious). But this parenthetical commentary, this page out of the Bill O'Reilly Culture-War Handbook.

Enough is enough! Which side is prosecuting a war?

What the fuck is wrong with people who think inclusion means dilution of their (co-opted) holiday!?

(And yes, I will at the very least write on the sheet that said commentary is not needed, as well as speakign with the store manager and/or owner)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. So does that parenthetical comment mean

that employees who are Jewish or Muslim or something else other than Christian are not welcome at the party?

[Ediacara]

2. Who knows?

I certainly felt excluded, and I can only imagine other non-Christians would too.

[kevinbgoode]

3. And I think that should be made politely clear

just explain to the boss that it isn't about him/her...it's about the crazed fanatics on television screaming that it has to be a sacred day only for. . THEM.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Perhaps you could RSVP,

politely noting that since the party is obviously meant only for practicing Christians, you were not meant to be included as an invitee, so you won't be attending or providing any food.

[Ediacara]

6. Maybe

I mean, I am not sure if I would even attend had this commentary not been there, but there is certainly something maddening about it. It's unnecisarily rude, and only meant to offend.

Why? Because Bill O'Reilly says that the atheist boogey-men are out to destroy Christianity? Because they refuse to believe that what they're celebrating is really Saturnalia with (maybe) a church service?

How is this different from proclaiming a party for whites only, or straights only?

[StClone]

5. It's working

Observations like this and the fact that we are forced to even discuss the ludicrous "Christmas War" on DU means they not only have the power (media influence) but are using it and winning.

They divide us, confuse the issues and get us all worked up over nothing while they grind the world through their gears.

[justgamma]

7. The company Christmas party

A few years ago, I don't think many of us would have given this a second thought. Now that the fundies are declaring war, I feel the need to push back. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. The more they push, the more we push back until there may be a real war on Christmas.
I remember when "God bless America" used to make me swell with pride for this country. Now it just irritates me.

[me b zola]

8. Would you please tell the "christians" for me...

...please tell them for me that I no longer consider myself a "christian" because of people like them. I have given it much thought, but I feel the best way that I can live a more Christ-like life is to have nothing to do with "christians" or any "christian" church.

I feel like a ton of hatred has been lifted from me. :woohoo: