So why did you post it in a thread discussing EU guidelines?
No, it really isn't.
So why did you post it in a thread discussing EU guidelines?Obviously it doesn't, and you are now resorting to strawman arguments because I never said it was.
No, it really isn't.That's what the EU did to its staff and it's wrong and disrespectful.
Simple. The EU is instructing its staff not to use their term Christmas (on its own) and to replace it with Holiday Season and/or equally stupid circumlocutions with other festivals. (Hannukah is actually already over!)So why did you post it in a thread discussing EU guidelines?
A matter of opinion. Imagine an EU official meeting an Irish delegation. The Irish group greet her with a cheery Happy Christmas! She wants to wish the delegation a Happy Christmas in return. And you think its ok to forbid that?No, it really isn't.
Maybe if Muslim countries were a bit more understanding of other beliefs and encouraged the majority to be a bit more inclusive and the world would be a better place.Simple. The EU is instructing its staff not to use their term Christmas (on its own) and to replace it with Holiday Season and/or equally stupid circumlocutions with other festivals. (Hannukah is actually already over!)
It's highly relevant to point out that in this EU member state at least (the one where this discussion board is based) and I suspect many others also, the correct official name for December 25th is Christmas Day. The EU should not be in the business of suppressing or discouraging this usage by its staff. Like I said, imagine the fuss if they tried the same thing with Ramadan or Eid!
Who is suggesting that be banned?A matter of opinion. Imagine an EU official meeting an Irish delegation. The Irish group greet her with a cheery Happy Christmas! She wants to wish the delegation a Happy Christmas in return. And you think its ok to forbid that?
That's the problem right there. Islam is a supremacist religion and teaches that followers of other religions are inferior persons. In Sharia law it is a far greater sin to harm a Muslim than a Kaffir. (non-Muslim)Maybe if Muslim countries were a bit more understanding of other beliefs
Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbayaand encouraged the majority to be a bit more inclusive and the world would be a better place.
The EU guidelines for staff, in reality instructions, are clear that the word "Christmas" is not to be used in the workplace. Unless used alongside clumsy circumlocutions such as "...for those celebrating Christmas, Hannukah..." etc. That can only be read as banning the use of a stand-alone "Happy Christmas" as a greeting by officials in the EU workplace. Even if they're only a reciprocal greeting when someone wishes them a happy Christmas. Which, when you think about it, is quite insulting to the other person.Who is suggesting that be banned?
Where is anything being banned?
It's only opinion when you don't have the facts.A matter of opinion.
Same with Christianity. Thankfully most Christians choose to ignore most of the nonsense in the Bible but the only truly Christian Church I can think of is the Westborough Baptist Church. Catholics are a le carte Christians.That's the problem right there. Islam is a supremacist religion and teaches that followers of other religions are inferior persons. In Sharia law it is a far greater sin to harm a Muslim than a Kaffir. (non-Muslim)
Yep, fundamentalism is evil.In strict Muslim regimes, it's forbidden to practice another religion in public lest it undermine the faith of the true believers. Brunei takes this to the ultimate with a ban on Christmas celebrations, including sending Christmas cards, wearing Santa hats or putting up a Christmas tree or other decorations, with a five year jail term for offenders.
So we can set a better example and be a brighter star of enlightened secularism casting away the darkness that is religious belief.If anyone is worried about respecting other cultures and religions, and wants to promote diversity, then fair enough, it's a noble goal. But why on earth would you start with the EU? It's a model beacon of tolerance and diversity compared to virtually anywhere else.
Yep, Scooby-Doo Christianity; the best kind.Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya
Eh, no, it wasn't an instruction, not in reality anyway.The EU guidelines for staff, in reality instructions, are clear that the word "Christmas" is not to be used in the workplace.
Yes, I'm all for inclusiveness and "sweet moderation", to quote Bill Bragg.Do you think that's a good thing?
The facts are known. People form differing opinions based on the same set of facts. (Interestingly, the only reason the facts ARE known is becuse one of those awful "right-wing" newspapers broke the story. Transparency, normally and rightly, a prime EU value, was not much in evidence here!)It's only opinion when you don't have the facts.
Oooh, shudder, scary nasty right-wing groups abound. If saying "Happy Christmas" or "Ladies and Gentlemen" or "man-made fibres" makes one right-wing, then there's a lot of us about! It's ok to be right-wing, you know!The opposition to the proposed guidelines are being led by right-wing groups, they are propagating a false narrative to suit their agenda.
Yes it was, but it didn't seek to ban Christmas or any of the other stuff the permanently outraged right said it did.It was a stupid, ill-considered document
Good, at least we agree on that.Yes it was,
Well, it did (in a way) for its own staff, in their choice of language for interactions with us, the great unwashed.but it didn't seek to ban Christmas
Yep, the Commissioner, by her stupidity and overreach, or worse, left herself wide open for that. She can hardly blame her political opponents for scoring in an open goal.or any of the other stuff the permanently outraged right said it did.
It instructs employees in how to communicate with the public. That takes it legitimately into the public domain.It was an internal advisory document, that's all.
So why is it you are deviating significantly from the facts? Hint, the 'facts' as reported in right wing media that you seem to have fallen for were made up!The facts are known. People form differing opinions based on the same set of facts. (Interestingly, the only reason the facts ARE known is becuse one of those awful "right-wing" newspapers broke the story. Transparency, normally and rightly, a prime EU value, was not much in evidence here!)
That's twice that's happened now. We need to be more vigilantGood, at least we agree on that.
Ah no, it didn't.Well, it did (in a way) for its own staff, in their choice of language for interactions with us, the great unwashed.
Yep, she should know the kind of tripe and nonsense the frightened right peddle to their mouth-breather audience.Yep, the Commissioner, by her stupidity and overreach, or worse, left herself wide open for that. She can hardly blame her political opponents for scoring in an open goal.
No, it suggested and while there's no problem with it being in the public domain it wasn't a public document, rather an internal advisory document. Employees were fully within their rights to just ignore it.It instructs employees in how to communicate with the public. That takes it legitimately into the public domain.
I challenge you to find one single fact (as distinct from opinion derived from facts) I have got wrong.So why is it you are deviating significantly from the facts?
Er, you're aware of the concept of irony, I presume? Did the double exclamation mark in the thread title not give you a clue?Hint, the 'facts' as reported in right wing media that you seem to have fallen for were made up!
You're the one making claims, how about you point to the proof of those claims.I challenge you to find one single fact (as distinct from opinion derived from facts) I have got wrong.
Saying happy holidays is not in any way offensive to Christians, or those of any religion.
Ha! You said: "So why is it you are deviating significantly from the facts?"You're the one making claims, how about you point to the proof of those claims.
You're wrong about this;I challenge you to find one single fact (as distinct from opinion derived from facts) I have got wrong.
The EU guidelines for staff, in reality instructions, are clear that the word "Christmas" is not to be used in the workplace. Unless used alongside clumsy circumlocutions such as "...for those celebrating Christmas, Hannukah..." etc. That can only be read as banning the use of a stand-alone "Happy Christmas" as a greeting by officials in the EU workplace. Even if they're only a reciprocal greeting when someone wishes them a happy Christmas. Which, when you think about it, is quite insulting to the other person.
That's it in a nutshell. It's symptomatic of a broader issue where vested interests are winding people up with fake or partial information. Russia have successfully been doing this for years, playing on fear and ignorance to sow discord and pit populations against each other. Here right-wing media have been successful in getting enough people with anti-EU or racist leanings all excited about something that didn't happen.You're outraged about your own interpretation of what was said, not what was actually said.
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