Happy Holidays Versus Merry Christmas

#58, I don`t know about the vast Muslim world, but in most of the western world, including the good old US of A, one needs a valid license to practice the type of head shrinking that you have embarked upon. Diagnosing serious mental patients on an anonymous website is tantamount to quackery with a ``To Whom It May Concern`` abandonment. It`s like stuffing sanitary napkins in chewing gum dispensing machines at airports or practicing hymenoplastie in Uppa US without having even a taxidermist license. My posts don`t require any medication and therefore any results would be much like proof of your education - fabricated. Have a Happy New Year and if you can`t then just get drunk at least. :)

#52: I was not referring to Pakistan in my previous post. Don`t tell me that is the only place on earth where muslims celebrate eid :) Do look into Knowing the Enemy by Mary Habeck. By the way, you have the choice to live and breathe in the system of your choice. If this system is not up to your taste, then I am sure the civilized muslim world is pretty vast. Why not exercise the option of living there? It will save you from wishing anyone Merry XMas or Happy Hannukah.

#51: You need treatment for your charming facade aka bipolar disorder. Make sure you are on appropriate medication when you interact on Chowk. I expect you to come back with post medication results. Good luck :)

55:

and what do you mean?

56: You are right. I should have said ``western``

What do you exactly call a proper christian name. To me Yousaf is as christian and islamic as Joseph. Like so for Abraham and Ibrahim. The focus is the person (mostly prophet) after which one is named.

Re: # 54

``You`ll notice that the anglo and the goan will have proper Christain names but the ones that were converted by different pepople (non anglo/goan) still have their old names.

The same is the case in Pakistan. Most Punjabi Christains still have names like Salim Masih, whereas Masih is the only indication that they are Christains.``

I rest my case.

47 # Parthaab:
I disagree with you when you say that they are shy to keep Christian names. Depending where you live, find an anglo Indian, a goan and someone who was converted in the last 50 - 60 years. You`ll notice that the anglo and the goan will have proper Christain names but the ones that were converted by different pepople (non anglo/goan) still have their old names.

The same is the case in Pakistan. Most Punjabi Christains still have names like Salim Masih, whereas Masih is the only indication that they are Christains.

Look at the example of Christain in Pakistani Cricket:
Duncan Sharpe: http://content.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/42673.html
Wallis Mathias: http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/41278.html
and then you had Yousuf who had a typical Punjabi Christain name.

So if your family has been a Christain for a few centuries then it is most likely they would have proper Christain names.

re: doublec # 42

I seriously doubt that the Portugese would have cared too much for the religious sentiments or sensitivities of Hindus :)

Of course, some actual information could well prove me wrong.

#43, no that was not a generalization~ the mass society in the US relects a very high level of bureaucratization, corporate culture has totally colonized culture based upon social tradition, we physically see the effects in the city scene. That transition has not been completed to the same extent in Pakistan, here is a link that explains part of it http://robots.asadi.org

#50, Thank you so much. My aim is to please. I commend your cutzpah in wishing me ``Chappy Chanukah.`` Speaking of good wishes, as President DeGaul once said. ``I `ope you find `appines whereever you go.`` :)

Re: # 46
thank you for proving my point!
belated happy hannukah!

Re: # 48

Its not just about Christmas. Christians are generally shy of declaring themselves in India.

1.) Christians are shy about naming their children with proper christian names!

So instead of Paul, they name them Pandian (in South India)

2.) And not only names, but nowadays they are even shy of building their own style of churches!

So instead we have temples built that are called churches!

3.) And not only churches - christians are shy about even dressing the way they used to!

So now we have `bindis` that look exactly like the Hindu ones and sarees and other clothes to `match`.


Funny....have I somehow described a pattern somewhere?

In my opinion, Christmas as it’s celebrated in the US is primarily a pagan festival. It is dedicated to the worship of the deity in which Americans most sincerely believe, namely Mammon. The Christian stuff is mostly an afterthought. This ‘controversy’ is almost a non-issue.

Here is a link to the lyrics of a satirical Christmas Carol by Tom Lehrer which admirably captures the true spirit of Christmas as observed in the US.

Re: # 42

``I guess it is upto us ``Desi`s`` to make sure that we say ``Merry Christmas`` to them and let them know that we are not offended by it.... ``

Not only christmas, but christians are shy about naming their children with proper christian names!

So instead of Paul, they name them Pandian (in South India)

And not only names, but nowadays they are even shy of building their own style of churches!

So instead we have temples built that are called churches!

And not only churches - christians are shy about even dressing the way they used to!

So now we have `bindis` that look exactly like the Hindu ones and sarees and other clothes to `match`.

Funny....have I somehow described a pattern somewhere?

#45, ZahraJ {``Apparently, you have logos, ethos and pathos all in one. Wow! ``}

Zehra,
Now that you have bestowed all the Greek qualities on me, let me wish you some Roman ones - I think you are ridiculous, abnoxious, and atrocious - all in one and more, did I mention ludicrous, malicious, and frivolous?

Re: # 44

[You are overly sensitive.]

And, you are not ? That`s why on each board on Chowk you are there to defend the poor men of the world. Apparently, you have logos, ethos and pathos all in one. Wow!

ZahraJ #43, {`` hope the new year helps you in overcoming your tendency of writing flippant remarks. You do not have to be a shia to respect muharram or any other religious occasion. No one wishes anyone happy muharram.``}

ZahraJ,
It`s OK. I think you are being a bit too sensitive here. I said ``Just don`t say Happy Moharram to a Shia.``}
What`s so wrong about that? First of all, I am a Shia myself, so just like the ``N`` word, there is a license in being one. Second, I didn`t state that one says ``Happy Moharram.`` I stated the opposite. Please get a drink or two to loosen up. It`s the holidays and as the article seems to portray - You are overly sensitive. Just for that I am cancelling my donation for modernizing ladies` restrooms in Paki airports.
Meanwhile, thank you for the kind wishes for the new year. Now, we both have something to work on.